Jones, et al. v. Varsity Brands, LLC, et
al., Case No. 2:20-cv-02892
An $82.5 million
proposed Settlement will provide payments to persons who paid an
All Star Gym or school to participate in a Varsity cheer
competition or camp, or to buy Varsity cheer clothing.
A federal court authorized this Notice. This
is not a solicitation from a lawyer.
SAN
FRANCISCO, July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A class
action was brought by competitive cheer athletes' families and
alleged that Defendants, including Varsity Brands LLC
and U.S. All Star Federation, Inc. ("Defendants") maintained
control over the All Star Cheer and school cheer events, through
acquisitions of rivals, purported exclusive dealing agreements, and
purported collusion with USASF, in violation of antitrust laws.
Further, the suit alleges that this anticompetitive
conduct caused Varsity to overcharge for participation in
competitive cheer competitions and camps and for the required
apparel. Defendants believe Plaintiffs' claims lack merit, that
their conduct was pro-competitive, not anticompetitive, and that
Defendants have valid defenses to Plaintiffs' allegations.
What does the Settlement provide?
The Court has
preliminarily approved a proposed $82.5
million settlement ("Settlement") for claims of competitive
cheer athletes' families who indirectly paid for Varsity cheer
competitions, camps, and/or apparel and also provides for changes
in conduct to resolve the class action lawsuit called
Jones et al. v. Varsity Brands, LLC, et al., Case No.
2:20-cv-02892, pending in the United
States District Court for the Western District of
Tennessee
("Action").
The Settlement offers cash payments to members of the Damages
Class who file valid timely Claim Forms. The details and deadline
to submit a Claim Form will be made available after the Court
grants final approval of the Settlement. Please visit
www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com for updates, and to view the full
terms of the Settlement.
Am I eligible to receive a payment from the
Settlement?
Everyone who fits this description is a member of the Damages
Class:
All natural persons and entities in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa,
Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode
Island, South Dakota,
Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West
Virginia, and Wisconsin,
that indirectly paid Varsity or any Varsity subsidiary or
affiliate, from December 10, 2016,
through March 31, 2024,5 for: (a)
registration, entrance, or other fees and expenses associated with
participation in one or more Varsity Cheer Competitions; (b)
Varsity Cheer Apparel; (c) Varsity Cheer Camp Fees; or (d)
accommodations at one or more Varsity Cheer Competitions.
If you are not sure whether you are included, you can ask for
free help. You can call toll-free 1-877-796-7731 or visit
www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com for more information.
How do I get a payment from the Settlement?
The
Court will hold a hearing on November 22,
2024, to decide whether to approve the Settlement. If the
Settlement is approved, the Claim Form and plan for payment will be
made available. The Court will approve a Claim Form and set a
deadline for Class Members to submit a claim. To receive a payment,
you must submit a valid and timely Claim Form. Please visit
www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com for updates.
At this time, it is not known precisely how much each Class
Member will receive from the Settlement Fund. The amount of your
payment, if any, will be determined by the plan of allocation to be
approved by the Court. The complete Plan of Allocation will be made
available at www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com.
What are my rights?
If you do nothing, you'll
get no money from this Settlement. Unless you exclude yourself, you
are staying in the Class, and that means that you can't sue,
continue to sue, or be part of any other lawsuit against Defendants
about the legal issues in this case. It also means that all of the
Court's orders will apply to you and legally bind you, including
the release of claims contained in the Settlement Agreement, even
if you don't file a Claim Form. You may exclude yourself from the
Settlement by sending a letter postmarked no later than
September 26, 2024. If you do not
agree with any part of the Settlement, you can send an objection so
that it is received no later than September 26, 2024. Further instructions on
excluding and objecting are available by viewing the FAQs or the
Long Form Notice on the Settlement website at
www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com.
The Court's hearing.
The Court will hold a
hearing on November 22, 2024 to
consider whether to approve the Settlement and approve Class
Counsel's request of attorneys' fees of up to one-third of the
Settlement Fund, plus reimbursement of costs and expenses and
service payments to the Class Representatives. You or your own
lawyer may appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense.
More information about the Settlement is available on the
Settlement website, www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com,
and in the Long Form Notice accessible on that website, or by
calling 1-877-796-7731.
This notice is only a summary.
For
more information, including the full Notice and Settlement
Agreement, visit www.CheerAntitrustSettlement.com,
email info@CheerAntitrustSettlement.com, or call
1-877-796-7731
Contact:
Angeion Group
Shiri Lasman
(215) 563-4116
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/settlement-administrator-angeion-group-announces-proposed-settlement-in-varsity-brands-class-action-302194033.html
SOURCE Angeion Group