For years, an $11 billion betting giant built its platform using the names and likenesses of MLB players, allegedly without permission. That fight just came to a close.

Reuters reported, “Major League Baseball’s players union has settled a lawsuit against DraftKings that accused the online sports-betting giant of misusing ​the names and likenesses of hundreds of MLB players.”

The MLBPA filed a case against DraftKings and bet365 at the U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania on Sept. 16, 2024. They said that DraftKings and bet365 used hundreds of players’ names, images, and likenesses (NIL) to promote bets without permission.

In March 2025, the judge had denied DraftKings’ motion to dismiss. They said that the Union’s claims that likeness use was commercial were plausible. By that time, FanDuel had already settled its part in November.

Get the EssentiallySports Daily Newsletter. Stay ahead of the game with daily updates, exclusive stories, expert takes, and the biggest moments from the world's most popular sports.

The Plaintiffs said that the platforms did not need to use images as the bettors could still place the bets with the images of players.

DraftKings argued that their use was similar to a “newsworthy” publication, but the judge said that doesn’t justify anything.

The judge’s ruling allowed the lawsuit to continue. Finally, on Apr. 7, 2026, DraftKings and MLB Players Inc. agreed to settle the Pennsylvania suit, leading the court to dismiss it with terms kept confidential.

When an $11 Billion giant like DraftKings gets into the wrong space of using players’ identities without their permission, this brings many things into question. Because fans remember the NFL Players Association demanded $65M from DraftKings’ old NFT marketplace, showing this controversy isn’t limited to baseball.

The league and the union made it clear that using names or faces of players anywhere without permission is out of the question.

And while DraftKings faces other legal challenges, including NCAA trademark litigation over March Madness, this settlement shows a significant moment in player rights and gambling platform practices.

Meanwhile, the league is seemingly working towards reform.

The MLB seems to be moving towards an international draft amid scandal

Ismael Ureña Pérez was just 14 when he died, and his death left a gaping hole, with the community in the Dominican Republic shaken by the tragedy. His passing sparked national outrage and headlines, raising questions about how young baseball players are treated. But his parents have still not lost hope of seeing justice served for their son.

The Dominican Republic and Venezuela have long been hotbeds for baseball talent, and the international signing system pours millions into these countries every year. Top prospects like Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr. once entered the MLB through this pipeline, earning massive deals at young ages.

But allegedly, the system has still not stopped illegal pre-deals and the exploitation of young players.

Corruption runs deep in Latin baseball, with children as young as 11 reportedly agreeing to deals with scouts, sometimes even receiving steroids. Per several reports, that is how Pérez passed away.

He was allegedly injected with horse steroids to enhance his performance at a local baseball academy.

This practice has made foreign players nearly three times less likely to reach the majors than domestic draftees. But attempts to regulate it have still not fully prevented abuse or unsafe practices.

MLB and the MLBPA have begun talks on reforms, including the possibility of an international draft and stricter enforcement against pre-deals.

These steps are intended to protect players while bringing more transparency to the signing process. But negotiations have still not produced a permanent solution that fully safeguards young athletes.

Ismael’s family has taken legal steps and rallied public support, hoping their efforts will prevent more tragedies like his.

Formal complaints and advocacy have pushed Dominican authorities to inspect hundreds of academies. But he and other children in similar situations still have not fully realized the fight for justice and meaningful reform.