World Football League v. Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Inc.
The Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Inc. (Club) sought a temporary injunction against the World Football League (WFL) to prevent WFL from directly or indirectly contracting with Dallas Cowboys players under existing contracts, or inducing them into promotional activities for WFL. The Club alleged tortious interference with contractual relationships. Justice Bateman, presiding over the interlocutory appeal, found no evidence of tortious conduct or threats thereof by WFL. The court emphasized the players' freedom to contract for future services and ruled that such agreements, and their associated publicity, do not constitute tortious interference with existing contracts. Consequently, the trial court was deemed to have abused its discretion in granting the temporary injunction, which was subsequently dissolved.