Ken Lanci, Cleveland Browns Fan, Sues Team & NFL Over Lockout

One fan has had enough of the NFL lockout and has taken it upon himself to save the upcoming season.

Businessman Ken Lanci filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Cleveland Browns and the league over the lockout, according to Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Lanci, a Cleveland Browns fan, claims in the lawsuit that the lockout violates his private seat license contract with the team and "jeopardizes his right to watch a full season of home games."

The 60-year-old reportedly asked the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court to prohibit the lockout.

"What tipped the scale for me is the labor issue between millionaires and billionaires and the fact they can't settle it when the country is in a recession," Lanci said. "Worse yet, they have to rub this in our faces."

Comments

[Lucida]

06:00 AM on 03/28/2011

I never understood how the [male] owners duped people into the PSL. That's the grown up version of "I just want to put the tip in!"

[duckzilla]

07:12 PM on 03/26/2011

"jeopardizes his right to watch a full season of home games."

his "right"? since when did people have rights to watch home games?

[avvocato]

08:15 AM on 03/28/2011

A contractual right! Ever since they paid the $35,000 PSL.

[Elias Maxwell]

10:28 AM on 03/26/2011

How can you sell tickets (season or otherwise) to games that are not likely to happen?

And then think about the venues for a moment, didn't the taxpayers fund (all or in part) most of the stadiums that these teams play in. I think it is time for the NFL's antitrust exemption to end!

[kapalabhati]

08:10 AM on 03/26/2011

Our season ticket money is due in May. It will be repaid on a PER GAME basis. @$$holes. Talk about unjust enrichment.

[SheikArbusto]

12:33 AM on 03/26/2011

As it goes with the Chosen 1/3, Clevelanders do not "get over it." No such thing in this town.

[Dis Gust]

11:25 PM on 03/25/2011

I like his thinking, but doesn't he have to wait until the lockout officially starts before he can take his case to court? I've got one other thing to say about this: Thank you Ken Lanci for putting your own money up to try to stop these foolish billionaires and multi-millionaires from killing the golden goose.

[fredpa]

11:11 PM on 03/25/2011

Hew's right.

[Js420]

09:58 PM on 03/25/2011

Thanks Ken. However isnt more painfull sitting through those Browns games?

[j-anthony]

09:52 PM on 03/25/2011

A Browns' fan WANTS to watch football?

Masochist.

[PuSencer]

09:45 PM on 03/25/2011

i'm also a browns fan, but i'm confused. it's probably better for us to get 2 drafts before the next kickoff unfortunately

[liberalbug]

09:37 PM on 03/25/2011

how about we all just quit supporting all professional sports---period. It's a complete racket and completely unaffordable for most average fans anyhow. Most those seats in the lower bowl and in the boxes are not owned by you and me, they are owned by corporations. Don't give the NFL or any other league your money or attention. That will get their attention real fast.

[Js420]

10:03 PM on 03/25/2011

if the NFL season gets shortened, i really wish people would boycott & just watch the games at home. However, what about all the working shmucks, like me. they also have to pay the price for their greedy bosses

[fredvh]

10:39 PM on 03/25/2011

problem with that is the games will be blacked out if they aren't sellouts

[INDIVIDUALTERRY]

10:29 AM on 03/28/2011

Say what !? You talkin' crazy now. I own my seat and it's in front of my TV.
Play on!

[Randy Wendelken]

09:31 PM on 03/25/2011

Well if theres no NFL this year at least we still have college football !!!!

[HBHB]

09:38 PM on 03/25/2011

College football is so boring in comparison.

[Dis Gust]

11:31 PM on 03/25/2011

that's okay for Saturday afternoons, but what about Sunday, Sunday night, Monday night, and sometimes Thursdays.

[lovinlife2]

09:21 PM on 03/25/2011

Go for it, Lanci! I hope you score on this big time--millionaires vs. billionaires--I love it. My suggestion: everyone boycott games across the country. I know that's a dream but....???? A big time message would be sent hitting all concerned in the 9 billion dollar pocketbook.

[Robert Royal]

07:06 AM on 03/26/2011

Lovinlife, hope all is well. I don't want to come off as disrespectful in anyway. I understands Mr. Lanci frustrations. And yours. But, what has to be remembered, is that the players want to play. It's the owners, who opted out of the current deal. The players never wanted out. Not only that, it's not about millionaires vs billionaires. One reason why, the average football career is roughly 3.4-3.5 years.
That's at best. The median for and NFL player is 800,000. By any means not a little amount of money. But take in the fact that they pay taxes in the top tax bracket 40% Then you take another 3% for their agent. Additional cost for trainers, nutrient,etc. Mr. Lanci also talked about stadiums. Americans, weather you a union worker to corporate america. The tax dollars that we pay help build those stadiums is correct. But, the players doesn't receive any additional monies from stadiums. The owners make all the appreciation off them. Football is America, And players understand that. They just want to play football and play under a CBA that's equal and fair for both side. The stuff you read in the media is going to show you one side. But remember, these are the same networks that guaranteed the owners, 4billion dollars id football was played or not. Just goes to show you, that the owners plans were to lockout the players no matter what. Just the TRUTH!!!!!

[lovinlife2]

12:40 PM on 03/26/2011

Thanks for the reply, Rob. I'm basically for the players in this, love the game and would miss it if there's a lockout. My biggest problem is with corporate greed in general--and all the negative spin-off from that, even though, players make serious money. In any case, how these players manage their money is up to them (as you and I) and their short careers should be taken into account at the outset. The need for unions has been well established and I'm glad for them, however, abuse can be found on either side at times and it looks like the owners turn on this one. Thanks again.