AKRON — Hall of Fame Game ticket holders are suing the National Football League, alleging breach of contract in canceling the game.
Alan Biland, Matthew Crabb, Tiffany Ratcliff and Carmelo Treviso filed a class action lawsuit, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, Aug. 11 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division against the National Football League and the National Football Museum, Inc., doing business as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, alleging they breached their obligations by canceling the game due to factors under the defendants' control.
According to the complaint, the four plaintiffs have suffered financial damages including out-of-pocket cost for tickets to attend the Aug. 7 game in Canton, Ohio, lodging and travel expenses, costs associated with items purchased on the day of the game and missed hours and days of employment for those who took vacation to attend the game.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants continued to maintain a facade of normality for fans and the general public. The suit says as the scoreboard continued to tick down to an 8 p.m. kickoff, the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame encouraged fans to continue to purchase food, beverages, and souvenirs and failed to inform the public of the game’s impending cancellation.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury, judgment for economic loss, attorney fees, court costs, pre and post-judgment interest and all relief to which they are entitled. They are represented by attorneys Romney Cullers and Michael F. Becker of The Becker Law Firm in Elyria, Ohio, and Michael J. Avenatti of Eagan Avenatti LLP in Newport Beach, California.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division Case number 5:16-cv-02010