Central New York Basketball, Inc. (Syracuse Nationals) v. Barnett
Court of Common Pleas of Ohio, Cuyahoga County
181 N.E.2d 506 (1961)
Dick Barnett (defendant) was a professional basketball player under contract with the Syracuse Nationals (plaintiff) of the NBA. After playing the 1960-61 season, Barnett and the Nationals' president orally agreed by phone that Barnett would play the 1961-62 season for $11,500. A rival league team, the Cleveland Pipers (defendant), then offered Barnett $13,000 to jump leagues. The Nationals sued for an injunction to stop Barnett from playing for the Pipers instead of honoring his commitment to them.
Whether a contract for a professional athlete's personal services may be negatively enforced by injunction when the player's skill and ability are so special and unique that the team could not easily replace him and would suffer irreparable harm from his defection.