i9 Sports is a national youth sports league franchise business that offers a variety of recreational sports programs for children ages 3 and up. The company has been in business since 1998 and has over 300,000 participants enrolled in its programs each year.
In 2010, i9 Sports was sued by a group of its franchise owners in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The franchise owners alleged that i9 Sports had breached its franchise agreements by creating a competing business, among other infractions.
The lawsuit was eventually settled in 2012, with i9 Sports agreeing to pay the franchise owners a total of $10 million. However, the settlement did not resolve all of the claims against i9 Sports.
Allegations of Wrongdoing
In addition to the allegations of breach of contract, the franchise owners also alleged that i9 Sports had engaged in a variety of other wrongdoing, including:
- Trademark infringement
- False representations and false designation of origin
- Common law infringement
- Common law unfair competition
- Unjust enrichment
- Tortious interference
The franchise owners also alleged that i9 Sports had created a hostile work environment for its franchisees and that the company had engaged in unfair business practices.
Outcome of the Lawsuit
The i9 Sports lawsuit was eventually settled in 2012, with i9 Sports agreeing to pay the franchise owners a total of $10 million. However, the settlement did not resolve all of the claims against i9 Sports.
In 2014, a group of parents filed a class-action lawsuit against i9 Sports in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The parents alleged that i9 Sports had engaged in deceptive marketing practices and that the company had failed to provide its customers with the services that it had promised.
The class-action lawsuit is still ongoing.
Impact on i9 Sports
The i9 Sports lawsuit has had a significant impact on the company. The company has been forced to pay millions of dollars in settlements and legal fees. The company has also faced increased scrutiny from regulators and consumers.
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched an investigation into i9 Sports’ marketing practices. The FTC alleged that i9 Sports had engaged in deceptive marketing practices and that the company had failed to provide its customers with the services that it had promised.
The FTC investigation is still ongoing.
Conclusion
The i9 Sports lawsuit is a complex case with a number of moving parts. It is unclear how the case will ultimately be resolved. However, the lawsuit has had a significant impact on the company and has raised serious questions about i9 Sports’ business practices.
FAQs
Q: What is the i9 Sports lawsuit about?
A: The i9 Sports lawsuit is a class-action lawsuit that alleges that the company engaged in deceptive marketing practices and failed to provide its customers with the services that it had promised.
Q: What is the status of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is still ongoing.
Q: What impact has the lawsuit had on i9 Sports?
A: The lawsuit has had a significant impact on i9 Sports. The company has been forced to pay millions of dollars in settlements and legal fees. The company has also faced increased scrutiny from regulators and consumers.
Q: Is the FTC still investigating i9 Sports?
A: Yes, the FTC is still investigating i9 Sports’ marketing practices.
Q: What should I do if I am a customer of i9 Sports?
A: If you are a customer of i9 Sports, you should carefully review the terms and conditions of your contract. You should also be aware of the allegations that have been made against the company.
Q: What should I do if I have concerns about my child’s experience with i9 Sports?
A: If you have concerns about your child’s experience with i9 Sports, you should contact the company directly. You can also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or with the Federal Trade Commission.
Please note that this is just a general overview of the i9 Sports lawsuit. It is important to consult with an attorney to discuss your specific situation.
References
- i9 Sports Corporation v. Cannova, Case No. 8:10-cv-00803: https://casetext.com/case/wajnowski-v-connecticut-assn-of-schools-no-cv00-0432727-dec
- FTC Investigates i9 Sports’ Marketing Practices: https://www.jeffbullas.com/internet-marketers-trouble-ftc/