NCAA sues DraftKings

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division as case No. 1:26‑CV‑557 and asserts claims for trademark infringement, false association/unfair competition and dilution under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114 and 1125. (legalsportsreport.com) The NCAA asked the court for an emergency temporary restraining order and requested a briefing schedule beginning the Monday after the filing, according to the association’s media release announcing the action on March 20, 2026. (ncaa.org) The suit identifies the NCAA’s federally registered marks — including MARCH MADNESS®, FINAL FOUR®, ELITE EIGHT® and SWEET SIXTEEN® — and alleges DraftKings adopted those marks and confusingly similar variations, citing an example the complaint calls “MARCH MANIA.” (legalsportsreport.com) In the complaint the NCAA emphasizes it has long avoided any appearance of affiliation with commercial gambling — pointing to policies and initiatives such as its “Draw the Line” campaign — and says DraftKings’ app displayed multiple tournament-related references alongside wagering options. (legalsportsreport.com) DraftKings told ESPN it treats those tournament names as plain text fair use to identify events — calling the claim “protected speech under the First Amendment” and saying it is “confident that the courts will deny” the requested injunction. (espn.com) The NCAA’s legal move follows earlier regulatory pressure from its president, Charlie Baker, who on Jan. 14, 2026 sent a letter to CFTC Chairman Michael Selig urging a pause on collegiate prediction‑market offerings until stronger safeguards are in place. (ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com)