TLDR A federal judge denied the NCAA’s request to stop DraftKings from using terms like “March Madness” and “Final Four” Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled the NCAA did not prove irreparable harm from DraftKings’ use of the phrases DraftKings argues its use of tournament names falls under fair use and First Amendment protections The NCAA believes the branding could confuse fans into thinking there is an official partnership with the sportsbook The case remains active and the NCAA plans to pursue discovery and potentially a jury trial
A federal judge has turned down the NCAA’s attempt to stop DraftKings from using some of college basketball’s most well-known tournament names in its marketing.
The ruling came down Thursday in the Southern District of Indiana. Judge Tanya Walton Pratt denied a temporary restraining order that would have blocked DraftKings from promoting its platform with phrases like “March Madness,” “Final Four,” “Elite Eight,” and “Sweet Sixteen.”
The NCAA had asked the court to act quickly ahead of the 2026 tournament. It wanted DraftKings barred from using those terms immediately.
Judge Pratt said the NCAA had not shown that DraftKings’ use of the phrases would cause irreparable harm. That is a key legal standard that must be met for a court to grant emergency relief.
In her order, the judge noted that the NCAA could still pursue a preliminary or permanent injunction later. She said more evidence would need to be presented first.
“With further discovery the NCAA may be able to show they are entitled to a preliminary or permanent injunction, and those claims remain pending,” Pratt wrote, according to an AP report.
DraftKings Defends Use of Tournament Phrases
DraftKings has argued that its use of these tournament phrases falls under fair use. The company also says the terms are