The Tri-City ValleyCats recently suffered a defeat in court against Major League Baseball, but their legal battle is far from over. A trial date of November 14 has been set for the ValleyCats’ lawsuit against MLB and the Houston Astros, which will take place in New York County Supreme Court in Manhattan.
The ValleyCats are suing MLB and the Astros due to the loss of their minor-league affiliation with Houston in 2020. They filed the lawsuit in January 2021, alleging tortious interference and seeking damages exceeding $15 million.
It’s important to note that this trial is separate from the ongoing antitrust suit that the ValleyCats, along with three other minor-league teams, are pursuing against MLB.
Although a federal appeals court recently ruled against the four minor-league clubs, Tri-City attorney James Quinn remains optimistic about the chances of overturning MLB’s longstanding antitrust exemption, which is 101 years old, if the case reaches the Supreme Court.
During the November trial, the ValleyCats will be joined by former minor-league affiliates of the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers as co-plaintiffs.
Judge Barry Ostrager has scheduled the jury trial to begin on November 14, with jury selection and opening statements taking place on November 13. The parties have agreed to submit the case to the jury by the end of the day on November 21 to avoid any conflicts with Thanksgiving, which falls two days later.
Regarding MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s involvement, it has yet to be determined whether he will be required to testify at the trial, according to an email from Quinn on Sunday.
Overall, the ValleyCats are preparing for a legal showdown in November as they persist in their pursuit of justice against MLB and the Astros.
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