J-E-T-S! Sue! Sue! Sue!
The rivalry between the Jets and the Patriots will move from the gridiron to a federal appeals court, which will hear oral arguments today in a $185 million lawsuit filed by a grumbling Gang Green fan who claims he was cheated as a result of the Pats’ “Spygate” scandal.
Carl Mayer, a lawyer and Jets season ticket holder, wants fans to get refunds for every game the Jets and Patriots played in the Meadowlands since New England’s Bill Belichick became head coach of the Patriots in 2000.
That’s because the Patriots were caught secretly videotaping Jets coaches flashing signals, in violation of NFL rules, during the opening game of the 2007 season. The Jets lost the game 38-14.
The illicit taping “violated the contractual expectations and rights of New York Jets ticket holders” who paid to watch a game played in compliance with the league’s rules,” according to the suit, which was dismissed by a federal judge in Trenton.
The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia will hear the appeal.
Customers paid an estimated total of $62 million to attend the games for which Mayer wants refunds, but he’s arguing that they’re entitled to triple that amount under fraud laws.
The NFL fined Belichick and the Patriots over the spying and stripped the team of a draft choice.