Simulcast rights disputed

The Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey (SBOANJ) has started legal action in the United States District Court in Trenton to protect the rights of the state’s horsepeople it represents to approve the interstate simulcast of the Meadowlands harness racing signal.

Defendants in the lawsuit are the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which operates the Meadowlands racetrack, and Television Games Network (TVG), which was awarded an exclusive one-year contract to broadcast and accept wagers on NJSEA races, starting on Friday.

In the lawsuit, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey alleges that the Sports Authority’s action in awarding the contract violates the rights of horsepeople under the federal Interstate Horse Wagering Act of 1978. That law preserves the rights of horsepeople in the state where the races take place, by permitting them to approve or deny the acceptance of interstate wagers on races from that track.

In addition, the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey notes that it has similar rights under its contract with the Sports Authority.

SBOANJ president Thomas F. Luchento said that the Sports Authority did not inform the Association about the contract, or seek its approval, while it did seek and obtain the approval of the organization which represents Thoroughbred horsepeople, who race a shorter meet at the track.

In an affidavit, Luchento said that the Association has unsuccessfully, on a number of occasions, sought explanations from the Sports Authority.

“The awarding of this exclusive contract to TVG represents a significant financial impact on the Authority, the racetrack, and the horsemen,” Luchento said. “It will prevent millions of our fans and bettors, who have been using other simulcast serving companies for many years, from viewing and wagering on the Meadowlands races, unless those companies are able purchase the signal from TVG.

The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to stop TVG from accepting interstate wagers on the Meadowlands harness racing signal. Luchento said it was the SBOANJ’s hope that there could be meetings with the Authority to work out a mutually acceptable solution to the problem.

U. S. District Court Judge Mary L. Cooper reserved judgment on the SBOANJ’s legal action until Wednesday, January 10, to give the Sports Authority and TVG the opportunity to respond. The judge set a hearing for 1 p.m. (EDT) on Jan. 10. (SBOA of NJ)

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