The 2007 New England Patriots may not have won the Lombardi trophy, but three years later they’ve at least got a legal victory: The Supreme Court today declined to hear a class action lawsuit related to the team’s ‘Spygate’ scandal.
The Patriots were caught videotaping opponents defensive signals in the wake of their 38-14 victory over their rival New York Jets in the opening week of the 2007 season. Jets fan Carl Mayer brought a class-action lawsuit against the team, saying the Patriots essentially tricked fans into paying to see rigged games. Mayer sought upwards of $100 million in damages,
The Supreme Court upheld lower courts’ rulings that Mayer lacked the legal standing to sue for damages, depriving the world of an eagerly awaited Bill Belichik-Antonin Scalia scowl-off.
The Patriots were already fined $250,000 by the NFL and forced to give up their first-round pick in the 2008 draft. Coach Bill Belichik was personally fined an additional $500,000. (via Boston.com)
