Tennis tours file to dismiss antitrust lawsuit from Novak Djokovic's players' association
The professional tennis tours and two other defendants jointly filed a motion in federal court in New York to dismiss the class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by the Professional Tennis Players' Association, a group co-founded by Novak Djokovic.
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The PTPA sued the WTA women's tour, the ATP men's tour, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts in the sport, in March, calling them a 'cartel.'
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The players are seeking a greater share of revenues and also raised various other complaints about how tennis is structured, including limits on prize money and a lack of competition from rival tours or tournaments.
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The PTPA was founded by 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil with the aim of representing players who are independent contractors in a largely individual sport.
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The group's executive director, Ahmad Nassar, repeatedly has said it is not a full-fledged union, does not have members and does not collect dues — all of which are pointed to in one of Tuesday's motions as reasons why the PTPA does not have standing as a plaintiff in the case. That motion came from all four defendants.
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A separate motion, filed only by the WTA, says that the male plaintiffs — 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios, Reilly Opelka and Tennys Sandgren were among those named — should not be suing the women's tour, and also argues that the female plaintiffs — who include Sorana Cirstea and Varvara Gracheva — should be compelled to go to binding arbitration instead of pursuing the court case.
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'There is nothing surprising in their motions,' the PTPA said in a statement to The Associated Press. 'We've researched all the issues at length, before filing our case, and look forward to responding in due course and having the judge decide.'
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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Heated Hampstead council meeting ends with police removing former mayor
Former Hampstead mayor William Steinberg was removed by police during a heated council meeting after clashing with Mayor Jeremy Levi over spending and transparency. The mayor and former mayor of Hampstead went toe to toe during Monday's council meeting, hurling accusations of misappropriating public funds at each other in a heated exchange that ended with the latter being expelled by Montreal police (SPVM). According to the SPVM, the town of Hamstead requested police assistance in expelling a 77-year-old man who was behaving 'inappropriately or disruptively' during the meeting. The confrontation lasted about 15 minutes, during which both men continuously interrupted each other. 'The police intervened to remove this man. There was nothing criminal and no arrest was made,' said SPVM spokesperson Julien Lévesque. Former mayor William Steinberg called his removal 'disgraceful' and said that he was looking for answers. Former mayor of Hampstead William Steinberg During the exchange, Steinberg confronted Mayor Jeremy Levi about a 40.5 per cent salary increase for councillors, totalling $207,738, and questioned expensive travel and hotel stays, including a $900-a-night stay at the Dallas Omni hotel. 'I want to be clear, I'm not saying they did anything illegal. You elect people, they can pretty much do what they want, and it's too bad you elected them. So, 40 per cent salary increase, of course, it's outrageous,' said Steinberg in a recent interview. He said his wife was also kicked out of the meeting when she later 'called [Levi] on a lie. 'I mean, this is not transparent. This is not honest,' said Steinberg. Steinberg was mayor of Hampstead for 16 years until he lost to Levi in 2021. Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi Levi defended the salary increase, saying that Steinberg 'erroneously' advised the council that the mayor's salary has to be three times that of a councillor. 'We looked into that and that was never the case. It's factually incorrect. I looked at the amount of work that council puts in. You know better than anybody else the amount of work that gets involved with council,' Levi told Steinberg during the exchange. 'So, we thought it was perfectly acceptable for $38,000 for a councillor to have as their salary, which is very in line with other councillors throughout the city. I don't see why they would be required to pay it back.' As for the Dallas hotel stay, Levi said the conference took place at the Omni, and the rate was $480 U.S. a night. Levi then noted he looked into Steinberg's expense reimbursements during his mandate and found the former mayor claimed over $16,000 compared to $200 so far under his own term. Steinberg argued that Levi misrepresented his expenses by focusing only on reimbursements, some of which were purchases made on behalf of the town. Many of the allegations Steinberg has made against Levi and the rest of the council are found in his blog, where he also mentions a January 2024 report by the Commission municipale du Québec (CMQ) into the improper use of credit cards by municipal employees and 'inadequate control of the expenses incurred.' According to the former mayor, he obtained the financial information through numerous access to information requests. Levi has repeatedly defended Hampstead's director general, Richard Sun, claiming he did not engage in any wrongdoing and that the council has no grounds to suspect foul play or improper conduct. In a statement to CTV News, Levi's office said that several of the expenses cited in the blog post were incurred during the pandemic when traditional town-wide holiday gatherings were not feasible. 'Council instead authorized smaller, department-specific meals in local restaurants to recognize staff efforts—an approach aligned with the town's intent to maintain employee morale and support local businesses, in accordance with public health guidelines,' Hampstead spokesperson Sarah-Eve Longtin said. Additionally, she said that only a single adjustment of 29 per cent for a salary increase was approved in July 2022. In terms of the CMQ report, Longtin said the town has taken concrete action in response to the CMQ's recommendations, including the implementation of a strengthened policy framework governing the use of town credit cards. 'Internal procedures regarding expense approval, documentation, and accountability have been reinforced through revised protocols and staff training,' she added. Steinberg said that he plans on publishing a new blog post within the next few days. 'I have no plans to run. I want this council replaced by honest, ethical people who care about Hampstead,' he said.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Protests over immigration raids spread across the U.S. with more planned into the weekend
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The Trump administration said immigration raids and deportations will continue regardless. A look at some protests across the country: New York City Police detained more than 80 people during protests in lower Manhattan's Foley Square on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday. Protesters shouted and waved signs that included 'ICE out of NYC' as they rallied near an ICE facility and federal courthouses. Police estimated some 2,500 people participated. Some protesters jumped over metal barricades and clashed with officers who wrestled them to the ground. Video shows demonstrators throwing items at law enforcement vehicles. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said most of the demonstrators were peaceful and that just a few caused the disorder that required police intervention. 'We want to maintain everyone's right to protest peacefully in this city and in this country, but we will not tolerate chaos and disorder or violence,' Tisch said Wednesday morning during an appearance on Fox 5 New York. Police said they took 86 people into custody, including 52 who were released with criminal court summonses for minor crimes and 34 who were charged with assault, resisting arrest and other crimes. San Antonio More than 400 people gathered outside of city hall Wednesday evening for an anti-ICE demonstration, according to local authorities. The protest was largely peaceful, with many blasting music and some handing out water. Nearby streets were closed off as law enforcement officers watched from hundreds of feet away. Dozens walked there from the historic Alamo mission after police closed off the area before the protest began. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus encouraged peaceful demonstration but said his officers would respond if 'it turns violent.' 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Chicago Police said 17 people were arrested at a protest that jammed a downtown plaza and took over surrounding streets Tuesday evening. Some of those arrested were accused of vandalism, and four were charged with felonies including aggravated battery against an officer of the peace. Also Tuesday, a 66-year-old woman was treated for a fractured arm after being struck by a car. Video showed the vehicle speeding along a road filled with protesters. No other injuries were reported. Denver A group of protesters gathered before the Colorado state capitol, creating a sea of cardboard signs, one exhorting: 'Show your faces. ICE cowards.' The group then split in half, with hundreds chanting and marching down two thoroughfares and crowding out traffic. Police ordered them to disperse. Officers used smoke and pepper balls to control the crowd and 17 people were arrested, Denver police said Wednesday.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Pacers take 2-1 NBA Finals lead with fourth-quarter rally to defeat Thunder
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