Sports Event Distributors Sue Calif., Ga. Bars for Pirating Soccer, Boxing Matches

In separate filings, two sporting events broadcast rights holders filed suits Thursday against bars for Communications Act Title 47 violations. Innovative Sports Management sued (docket 1:23-cv-02335) La Brasa Rustica, Duluth, Georgia, in U.S. District Court for Northern Georgia in Atlanta for showing the Equador vs. Paraguay soccer match March 24, 2022, without its authorization. G&G Closed Circuit Events alleged (docket 2:23-cv-04058) Thursday in U.S. District Court for Central California in Los Angeles that Mr. BBQ Grill, Pico Rivera, California, pirated the Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius Championship Fight Oct. 15 without a sublicense. In addition to Title 47 violations, G&G claims conversion and violation of the California Business and Professions Code section 17200. Plaintiffs seek statutory damages and recovery of attorneys’ fees and legal costs.