The NFL is an association of 32 separate businesses rather than one giant corporation with 32 branches, the Supreme Court ruled Monday, preventing the league from getting antitrust law protections it wanted. The suit originated from hatmaker American Needle, which the NFL dissed in favor of an exclusive deal with Reebok. American Needle said it was shut out thanks to a collaboration between the teams.

The AP reports the case will now be heard in federal court in Chicago. Hopefully American Needle pulls this thing out in overtime so the world can once again maybe get a new Tecmo Bowl with real NFL teams and players.

Court: NFL is 32 teams, not single business [AP via Yahoo! Sports, Game Informer]

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