A federal judge has rejected an $800 million lawsuit filed by Enhanced Games, claiming that World Aquatics, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and USA Swimming engaged in unlawful actions to discourage athletes from participating in its new competition series. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman dismissed the case in November but allowed Enhanced Games 30 days to address the issues and refile. However, the deadline has passed without a refile.
WADA expressed satisfaction with the judgment, stating that it supports their position. A source familiar with Enhanced’s legal actions disclosed to The Associated Press that the company opted not to refile due to recent successes in recruiting athletes and to avoid complicating its upcoming public offering, expected to generate approximately $200 million.
Enhanced Games recently revealed additional swimmers set to compete in their upcoming event in May, where participants will vie for $250,000 top prizes. Notable names include Olympic medalists James Magnussen, Ben Proud, Cody Miller, and sprinter Fred Kerley. The event will enforce stringent medical supervision but will not prohibit performance-enhancing substances like traditional Olympic sports.
The lawsuit revolved around a regulation introduced by World Aquatics earlier this year, threatening to exclude athletes engaging in events endorsing scientific advancements or practices involving prohibited substances or methods. WADA and USA Swimming were implicated for backing this regulation.
Judge Furman highlighted a critical flaw in the lawsuit, noting that Enhanced failed to demonstrate World Aquatics’ monopoly power in the targeted markets. While acknowledging that Enhanced claimed to possess information to address these shortcomings, the failure to act within the specified timeframe led to the case’s closure.
