Sprewell v. Golden State Warriors

Latrell F. Sprewell ("Sprewell") challenges the district courts dismissal of his claims against the National Basketball Association ("NBA") and the Golden State Warriors ("the Warriors") pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) ("Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)"). Sprewells attorneys dispute the district courts imposition of sanctions under Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("Rule 11"). Sprewell raises numerous state and federal claims challenging the validity of the punishments meted out by the NBA and the Warriors in response to Sprewells physical attack on the head coach of the Warriors in 1997. The district court dismissed Sprewells federal claims as frivolous, and found Sprewells state claims to be preempted by section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act ("section 301"). We have jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We AFFIRM in part, REVERSE in part, and REMAND.