Major League Professional Baseball, Antitrust, and Interstate Commerce Legislation: State of Wisconsin v. Milwaukee Braves

Abstract

The Braves left Milwaukee because of economic issues, which prompted state of Wisconsin officials to take the Braves to court and force them to remain in Milwaukee. The court case claimed the Milwaukee Braves along with the National and American Leagues violated antitrust and interstate commerce legislation. The state of Wisconsin brought the case to court based on vague previous rulings involving professional major league baseball. The first court ruling ruled in favor of the state of Wisconsin, and it determined the Braves had violated antitrust laws in the state of Wisconsin. The original ruling was eventually overturned, because a state’s antitrust legislation should not supercede federal laws and the Constitution. The case brought forth state versus federal rights and the future of how professional sports leagues would operate.