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

By Maryclaire Dale, AP
Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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.

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