Overview
- A federal judge denied the NCAA’s request for an emergency restraining order, so DraftKings can keep using tournament terms like March Madness and Final Four.
- The court said the NCAA had not shown irreparable harm from DraftKings’ references to the event.
- The NCAA’s lawsuit claims the sportsbook’s marketing could suggest NCAA endorsement and increase gambling risks for college athletes.
- DraftKings argues the phrases are part of everyday speech, cites years of similar use by rivals, and warns that stripping names mid‑tournament would disrupt its app and content.
- Court filings describe an NCAA data deal with Genius Sports that the association says supports integrity and restricts trademark use, while future hearings will test trademark scope, fair use, and possible injunctions.