Sidley Secures Summary Judgment for Los Angeles Sparks in Dispute With Former Owners

Sidley represented LA Sports Partners, LLC, owner of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, in securing summary judgment in litigation brought by the team’s former owners concerning alleged lifetime rights to courtside and premium season tickets under a prior purchase agreement.

The plaintiffs alleged that the Sparks failed to honor a purported lifetime entitlement to six courtside season tickets and 10 additional premium season tickets under the terms of the agreement governing the sale of the franchise, citing the assumed contracts provision of that document as well as an eight-year course of dealing following the transaction during which plaintiffs were provided complimentary tickets. Sidley first moved to dismiss and strike the complaint, successfully disposing of plaintiffs’ claim for violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and their prayer for attorneys’ fees. Sidley then moved for summary judgment on plaintiffs’ remaining claim for breach of contract, arguing that the purchase agreement did not support the plaintiffs’ interpretation and that the plaintiffs lacked standing to assert their claims. The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, granted summary judgment in favor of the Sparks on those grounds, resulting in a complete victory for the Sparks.

The Sidley team included lawyers Eric Schwartz, Naomi Igra, Christine Karaoglanian, and Maggie Jablonski, and paralegals Amy Levier and Annette Vandenberg.