From EssentiallySports · Kailash Bhimji Vaviya · · 1m 10s
LPGA Pro Jane Blalock Took Tour to Court
Jane Blalock sued LPGA over antitrust claims after 1972 cheating suspension.
In brief
Jane Blalock sued LPGA over antitrust claims after 1972 cheating suspension. Jane Blalock won a $5 million antitrust lawsuit against LPGA for illegally suspending her after cheating allegations in 1972. Originally reported by EssentiallySports.
1972 cheating allegations
In 1972, Jane Blalock faced disciplinary action after tournament observers accused her of illegally moving her golf ball.
“accused of illegally moving her golf ball”
Initial suspension
The LPGA suspended Blalock for one year starting June 1, 1972, after a board meeting on May 26.
“suspended from june one, nineteen seventy-two, through may thirty-one, nineteen seventy-three”
Antitrust lawsuit
Blalock filed a $5 million antitrust lawsuit against LPGA on June 1, 1972, challenging the suspension under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
“filed a five million dollars antitrust lawsuit against the lpga”
Board members' conflict
Five LPGA board members were professional golfers who competed against Blalock for tournament prize money.
“five lpga board members were professional golfers who competed against blalock for tournament prize money”
Federal court ruling
A federal judge ruled the suspension violated antitrust law, stating it was a group boycott by competitors.
“the suspension violated section one of the sherman antitrust act”
Lawsuit impact
A preliminary injunction allowed Blalock to keep playing while the lawsuit continued, preventing the full suspension from taking effect.
“a preliminary injunction prevented the lpga from enforcing the ban while the litigation continued”
Long-term legacy
Blalock won 27 LPGA Tour events and recorded 299 consecutive tournaments without missing a cut, becoming a golf legend.
“won twenty-seven official lpga tour events and recorded two hundred ninety-nine consecutive tournaments without missing a cut”
The one thing
Jane Blalock won a $5 million antitrust lawsuit against LPGA for illegally suspending her after cheating allegations in 1972.
