Hearing Date Announced in JCN’s Lawsuit Against MLB for Moving All-Star Game
ATLANTA, GA — The hearing for Job Creators Network (JCN)’s lawsuit against Major League Baseball (MLB) and others for moving the All-Star Game from Atlanta to Denver will be held on Thursday, June 10th, the U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York advised the plaintiff today. JCN’s suit demands the immediate return of the All-Star Game to Atlanta or payment by the defendants of $100 million in damages to local and state small businesses – many of which are minority-owned and still recovering from Covid-19 losses. The defendants are MLB, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Players Association, and Executive Director Tony Clark.
“JCN and its allies are looking forward to next week’s hearing and successfully resolving this case to the satisfaction of the Greater Atlanta community,” said Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of the Job Creators Network. “After a year of enduring a pandemic induced recession, Atlanta metro small businesses were looking forward to the All-Star Game to help springboard their full recovery. Unfortunately the MLB gave in to the cancel culture. MLB thought it could bend the knee and escape any consequences. They were mistaken. JCN will hold them accountable and defend the small businesses who were harmed. We have a strong case, and we expect to eventually win.”
After a year of enduring a pandemic induced recession, Atlanta’s small business owners were looking forward to the infusion of economic activity to help springboard their full recovery.
The harm done to the communities of Atlanta, Cobb County and the state of Georgia include the following:
- More than 8000 hotel reservations were canceled.
- Revenues from ticket sales, concessions and events at Truist Park – including the Futures Game and Home Run Derby Contest – by the more than 41,000 fans expected, were lost.
- According to Cobb County Chief Financial Officer William Volckmann, the county would receive a “robust return” on its roughly $2 million investment to host the events. Previous MLB
- All-Star events have generated between $37 million and $190 million for their host communities.
- Atlanta is 51% African-American, Denver is 9% African-American. U.S. Census data indicates there are roughly 7.5 times more African-American-owned businesses in Georgia than Colorado.
Link to signed order by the judge here.
Link to legal complaint here.
Learn more at MLBFail.com.