NCAA’s temporary restraining order against DraftKings denied by federal judge

Federal Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has denied the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s motion for a temporary restraining order against DraftKings, which looked to stop the operator from using terms related to the March Madness college basketball tournament. 

The NCAA had filed a complaint for trademark infringement on March 20 over the operator’s use of trademarked terms such as ‘March Madness,’ ‘Sweet Sixteen,’ ‘Elite Eight’ and ‘Final Four.’

As part of its filing against DraftKings, the Association stated it actively tries to “avoid any appearance or affiliation” with gambling operators.

Despite arguing the use of such terms would allow bettors to believe the NCAA supports gambling, Judge Pratt ruled the Association failed to show how it would result in irreparable harm for users. 

However, the federal judge also referenced ongoing claims surrounding the NCAA’s request for a preliminary or permanent injunction, confirming the appeals are still pending at the time of writing. 

“With further discovery the NCAA may be able to show they are entitled to a preliminary or permanent injunction, and those claims remain pending,” Judge Pratt wrote in her ruling. 

In response to the NCAA’s claims, DraftKings stated its been given legal right to use terms relating to the March Madness college basketball tournament for over five years. 

Prior to the first round of March Madness, the NCAA began utilizing the ProhiBet solution designed by Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360) to monitor officials scheduled to call championship games across multiple Division I sports.

The NCAA’s adoption of ProhiBet marked a “critical action” in the Association’s mission to uphold fairness across its collegiate competitions and is currently being used “specifically” for game officials even while athletes and league personnel are also banned from placing bets.