Recently a group of football fans filed a class action lawsuit against the National Football League and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. At issue is the cancellation of a Hall of Fame football game due to poor field conditions, according to ESPN.

The basis of the suit is the allegation that the defendants in the suit knew in advance that the game would be called but continued to maintain a façade that suggested otherwise. The countdown clock still operated. Fans were allowed to purchase concessions and souvenirs in anticipation of the game taking place.

Furthermore, decking that had been put on the field for a concert then a Hall of Fame induction ceremony was planned to be removed from the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium by eight a.m. of game day but was not removed until 2:45 p.m.

Finally, the plaintiffs claim that a memo sent to the teams by NFL executive Troy Vincent confessing that he was responsible for the upkeep of the field and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s statement that NFL officials had admitted responsibility as further proof of negligence.

The lawsuit has been filed in United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division and seeks $5 million in damages for four plaintiffs plus anyone else who found themselves in a similar situation. The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Michael Avenatti, who sued the NFL previously on behalf of ticket holders for the 2011 Super Bowl who were placed in temporary, obstructed seating. They are seeking a jury trial for their lawsuit.

For more information on class actions contact us.