NBA Sued in TCPA Class Action Over Ignored Text Stop Requests
On June 1, 2026, a TCPA class action was filed against the NBA for ignoring stop text requests.
Why it matters: Litigation involving the NBA underscores the need for legal teams in sports and entertainment to rigorously enforce TCPA compliance and manage opt-out requests promptly to avoid exposure to statutory damages.
- TCPA class action filed against the NBA on June 1, 2026, alleging ignored stop requests for unsolicited texts.
- The lawsuit claims NBA sent texts despite consumers explicitly opting out, violating federal telemarketing rules.
- TCPA prohibits unsolicited calls or texts to consumers on the National Do Not Call Registry or those who opt out.
- Previous TCPA cases resulted in settlements and verdicts up to $75 million, including Capital One and Dish Network.
On June 1, 2026, a nationwide class action lawsuit was filed against the National Basketball Association (NBA) alleging violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The complaint asserts that the NBA sent repeated unsolicited text messages to individuals who had expressly requested to stop receiving such communications.
The TCPA restricts telemarketing calls and texts to consumers who have registered on the National Do Not Call Registry or who have provided opt-out requests. Failure to honor these stop requests can expose organizations to significant legal liability, including statutory damages on a per-text basis.
This lawsuit highlights challenges faced by sports and entertainment entities that rely heavily on digital marketing, often through automated text messaging systems. Ensuring compliance with TCPA requirements remains a crucial legal priority to avoid costly litigation.
Notably, previous TCPA litigation produced substantial financial consequences for well-known companies. In 2014, Capital One settled for $75 million over unsolicited texts, while in 2019 Dish Network was ordered to pay $61 million following a jury verdict related to robocalls.
The NBA litigation claims the association "continues to send texts after consumers requested to stop," a practice described as a violation of privacy by the plaintiffs. The exact number of affected consumers and NBA’s formal response have not been publicly disclosed.
This case serves as a pivotal reminder for legal and compliance teams in the sports sector to review telemarketing practices, implement robust opt-out mechanisms, and ensure policies are effectively enforced to mitigate litigation risk.
By the numbers:
- June 1, 2026 — Date NBA TCPA class action was filed
- $75 million — Capital One settlement related to TCPA in 2014
- $61 million — Dish Network TCPA verdict issued in 2019
Yes, but: While plaintiffs allege broad violation of stop requests, the NBA has not publicly responded, and the scope of violations remains to be determined through litigation.
What's next: The NBA TCPA case will proceed through pre-trial motions and potential class certification hearings later in 2026, with outcomes that could influence industry telemarketing compliance.