US appeals court tosses Jets fan’s suit over Patriots’ secret taping of signals from coaches

US court tosses fan lawsuit over Patriots’ filming

PHILADELPHIA — A New York Jets fan won’t get to pursue his lawsuit over the New England Patriots’ secret videotaping of signals from Jets coaches.

A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia is refusing to step into the fray. The court on Wednesday decided to uphold a lower court’s ruling that dismissed the lawsuit by lawyer Carl Mayer, a Jets season ticket holder from Princeton, N.J.

Mayer argued that fans spent large sums to see games that were essentially rigged. He sought $185 million in damages for Jets fans alone.

The three-judge panel says it doesn’t condone the conduct of the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick (BEHL’-ih-chik). The judges suggest that fans can protest by refusing to buy tickets or NFL merchandise.

But they say fans have no legal right to seek damages in court.