The Powers That Be: Daily Michael Rubin’s Legal Woes & A Skydance Scoop
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Jul 25, 2024 Legal expert Eriq Gardner and Peter Hamby discuss the legal challenges faced by Fanatics and founder Michael Rubin, including rights deals, talent poaching, and disputes with Panini. They also touch on an under-the-radar trial involving the Skydance-Paramount merger, providing insights into disruptive industry practices and competitive strategies.
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Fanatics' Aggressive Expansion Sparks Legal Battles
- Michael Rubin's Fanatics aggressively expands by locking long exclusive deals and poaching key employees.
- This disruptor strategy causes multiple legal challenges alleging unfair competition and antitrust violations.
DraftKings Exec's Sneaky Switch to Fanatics
- A Fanatics poach involved inviting a DraftKings executive to a NYC apartment to jump ship.
- The executive fled to California to circumvent a non-compete, secretly scouting for recruits there.
Long-Term Deals Questioned as Antitrust
- Fanatics secured 20-year exclusive trading card deals with major leagues, sidelining competitors like Panini.
- This monopoly-like strategy triggered antitrust claims threatening Fanatics' planned IPO and valuation.