A federal jury in New York on Monday found that the U.S. Soccer Federation did not violate antitrust law in its handling of the North American Soccer League, which operated between 2011 and 2017 and argued that U.S. Soccer and Major League Soccer illegally conspired to refuse to recognize NASL as a Division II league.
NASL can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. But for now, it’s a major win for U.S. Soccer and an affirmation of its power to apply rules governing the soccer industry in the U.S. and Canada.
The trial featured testimony by major figures in soccer and sports, including Kansas City Chiefs CEO and co-owner Clark Hunt (a founder of MLS) and Rocco Commisso, chairman and CEO of Mediacom and owner of the former New York Cosmos of NASL. The case also threatened more than $500 million in damages.
Much of the case centers on how U.S. Soccer conducted oversight in determining whether a league ought to be classified as Division I, II or III. Classification is crucial for how fans, media and broadcasters regard a soccer league in terms of quality and prestige.
NASL, which refused to operate as a Division III league, maintains it was downgraded in the classification process not on the merits, but because of conspiratorial misconduct. U.S. Soccer argued the opposite, insisting it applied objective metrics, including minimum stadium seating capacity, number of teams and time zone coverage and denying there was any conspiracy with MLS.
The jurors received instructions from U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez on Monday for four counts regarding alleged conspiratorial and monopolistic illegal acts. The jurors rendered a unanimous verdict for U.S. Soccer not long thereafter.
In a statement shared with media, U.S. Soccer said it is “pleased the jury has recognized the lack of merit in NASL’s claims and ruled in our favor, bringing this unfounded litigation to a close. This decision validates U.S. Soccer’s commitment to fostering a broad and healthy ecosystem of professional soccer leagues across all divisions.”
In its own statement, MLS said: “The jury’s verdict confirms that this case was nothing more than an attempt by NASL to deflect blame for its own failures. Since our inception in 1996, MLS has been dedicated to making the necessary investments to elevate the sport of soccer and provide an exceptional experience for players and fans. Today, our focus remains unchanged, and we look forward to furthering our efforts to grow soccer in North America.”
(This has been updated in the headline to include MLS, and in the last paragraph with a statement from MLS.)
Source: https://www.sportico.com/law/news/2025/us-soccer-wins-antitrust-trial-nasl-1234826478/
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