Federal Judge Denies NCAA's Restraining Order Against DraftKings

The NCAA sought to stop DraftKings from using 'March Madness' branding.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:53am

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A federal judge has denied the NCAA's request for a restraining order to prevent DraftKings from using the 'March Madness' trademark during the 2026 NCAA basketball tournament. The NCAA argued that DraftKings' use of the term diluted their brand, but the judge ruled that the NCAA failed to show sufficient evidence of irreparable harm.

Why it matters

The 'March Madness' trademark is a valuable asset for the NCAA, generating significant revenue through licensing and sponsorship deals. DraftKings' use of the term could undermine the NCAA's control over the brand and its commercial value.

The details

The NCAA filed for a temporary restraining order against DraftKings, the official sports betting partner of the NCAA tournament, arguing that the company's use of 'March Madness' in its marketing and promotions was a violation of the NCAA's trademark. However, the federal judge presiding over the case ruled that the NCAA failed to demonstrate that it would suffer irreparable harm if DraftKings continued to use the term.

  • The NCAA filed for the restraining order on March 15, 2026, ahead of the start of the NCAA tournament.
  • The federal judge denied the NCAA's request on March 26, 2026, just one day before the tournament began.

The players

NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the governing body for college sports in the United States.

DraftKings

A leading online sports betting and fantasy sports company that is the official sports betting partner of the NCAA tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We are disappointed in the court's decision, but we will continue to protect our intellectual property and the integrity of the NCAA tournament.”

— Donald Remy, Chief Operating Officer, NCAA

“We are pleased with the court's ruling, which allows us to continue our partnership with the NCAA and provide fans with exciting March Madness experiences.”

— Jason Robins, CEO, DraftKings

What’s next

The NCAA is expected to appeal the judge's decision, but DraftKings will be able to continue using the 'March Madness' trademark during the 2026 tournament.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between sports leagues and betting companies over the use of valuable intellectual property. While the NCAA was unable to stop DraftKings in this instance, the outcome underscores the importance of leagues protecting their trademarks and the need for clear guidelines governing the use of such assets.