Latham Sinks Federal Antitrust Case Against International Aquatic Sports Federation

On January 6, 2023, a quartet of Latham litigators successfully won their motions for summary judgment on behalf of client Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), in a pair of high-profile antitrust lawsuits brought by the International Swimming League (ISL) and a putative class of elite swimmers. Plaintiffs alleged that FINA, now World Aquatics, leveraged its position as the global governing body for aquatic sports to prevent the creation of a top-tier professional swimming league.

In entering judgment this week for World Aquatics, the California federal court sided with the arguments set forth by Latham that World Aquatics’ governing rules and alleged conduct did not unreasonably restrain trade. The team’s summary judgement victory comes nearly a year after Latham defeated plaintiffs’ bid to certify a damages class of swimmers.

The successful Bay Area-based team for World Aquatics includes partners Chris Yates, Aaron Chiu, and Dan Wall, with associates Jack Siddoway, Becky McMahon, Robbie Hemstreet, Christie Greeley, Kevin Wu, and Tim Snyder.