NCAA Files Lawsuit Against DraftKings Over Trademark Infringement

The NCAA is seeking an emergency restraining order to stop DraftKings from using its trademarked terms.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NCAA has announced that it has filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings Sportsbook, alleging the company is infringing on the association's trademarked terms such as "March Madness", "Final Four", "Elite Eight", and "Sweet Sixteen". The NCAA says DraftKings' unauthorized use of these trademarks goes against the association's stance of keeping sports betting separate from its championships and student-athletes.

Why it matters

The NCAA has historically taken a strong stance against associating its brand and student-athletes with sports betting, even as other major professional leagues have partnered with sportsbooks. This lawsuit represents the NCAA's effort to protect its intellectual property and uphold its principles around the integrity of competition and student-athlete well-being.

The details

In the complaint filed in federal court in Indianapolis, the NCAA is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to stop DraftKings from using the NCAA's trademarked terms in its sports betting products, promotional campaigns, and marketing activities. The NCAA emphasizes that it does not have any commercial relationships with sportsbooks and maintains a strict prohibition on advertising and sponsorships related to betting.

  • The NCAA filed the lawsuit on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

NCAA

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

DraftKings Sportsbook

A popular online sports betting platform that offers wagering on a variety of professional and collegiate sporting events.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to grant the NCAA's request for an emergency temporary restraining order against DraftKings.

The takeaway

This lawsuit underscores the NCAA's steadfast position against integrating its brand and student-athletes with the sports betting industry, even as other professional leagues have embraced partnerships with sportsbooks. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how the NCAA navigates the evolving landscape of legalized sports wagering.