In a move that closes the curtain on one of American soccer’s most intense legal battles, the U.S. Soccer Federation and Relevent Sports have reached a confidential settlement, ending a six-year-long antitrust saga that played out in New York federal court like a high-stakes penalty shootout.
A Long-Fought Battle Reaches the Final Whistle
The dispute began in 2019 when Relevent Sports, a global soccer promotion powerhouse, sued both U.S. Soccer and FIFA. At the heart of the clash: a 2018 FIFA policy banning official league matches from being played outside the home territory of competing teams. Relevent claimed the rule destroyed its plans to bring two official international matches to Florida—a major blow to its business and a market eager for world-class soccer.
In a notice filed Thursday, Relevent voluntarily dismissed its claims against U.S. Soccer. Attorney Jeffrey L. Kessler of Winston & Strawn LLP confirmed a confidential agreement had been reached, ending a long legal slog marked by delays, dropped motions, and rekindled negotiations.
“Ultimately, we all share the same goal: growing the sport throughout America,” said Relevent CEO Danny Sillman. “We’re excited to continue supporting clubs from Europe and around the world to expand the sport’s reach and impact across the U.S.”
