Winston Wins Second Circuit Revival of Relevent’s Antitrust Suit, Unlocking U.S. Access to Global Soccer Matches

Won a major Second Circuit victory for Relevent Sports Group, LLC, a sports promoter that organizes soccer matches in the U.S. involving professional teams from non-U.S. leagues. A unanimous Second Circuit panel—repeatedly citing and quoting Winston’s briefs and oral argument—vacated the district court’s decision and revived Relevent’s antitrust suit against FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation, challenging a FIFA rule prohibiting official-season professional soccer games from being played outside a team or league’s FIFA-designated country. Am Law recognized the March 2023 win with a “LOTW” Runner-Up nod. With DOJ and Solicitor General support, we defeated Supreme Court review, leading to settlements with both defendants and paving the way for U.S.-venued foreign-league games.

Relevent Sports v. U.S. Soccer Federation, Case No. 1:19-cv-08359, U.S.D.C., S.D.N.Y.; Case No. 21-2088, U.S.C.A., 2nd Cir.