US | MLB Justices Don't Buy MLB's Fantasy Pitch Using players' real names in for-profit leagues is free speech, Supreme Court rules By Nick McMaster Posted Jun 2, 2008 2:15 PM CDT Copied Fantasy leagues argued that, under free-speech law, the names and statistics of baseball players like New York's Derek Jeter could be used without paying a fee, the Los Angeles Times reports. (AP Photo/Rob Carr) The Supreme Court refused today to hear an appeal by Major League Baseball against a ruling that allowed fantasy sports leagues to use real players' names and stats without paying a licensing fee, the Los Angeles Times reports. MLB contended such leagues shouldn't "exploit players' identity for commercial gain;" the for-profit ventures said free-speech law allows it. Read These Next RFK Jr. suggests antidepressants to blame after shooting. Details trickle out on 2 more victims of the Minneapolis shooting. Isolated tribe members show up in an unexpected place. Trump just used a spending maneuver last seen nearly 50 years ago. Report an error