Unauthorized Broadcast of Prize Fight Gets Abilene Bar in Hot Water

ABILENE, TX — In a recent legal development, G&G Closed Circuit Events LLC has filed a lawsuit against Chelsea’s Burgers N Brews LLC, 3121 S 14th St in Abilene, and its owner Irma Moreno for unlawfully broadcasting the December 19, 2020, Saul Alvarez vs. Callum Smith Championship Fight. The lawsuit, filed on October 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, accuses the defendants of intercepting and broadcasting the fight without authorization.

G&G, as the exclusive licensee for the event's broadcast, claims that Chelsea’s Burgers N Brews, by broadcasting the event, infringed upon their exclusive rights and avoided proper payment. The complaint alleges that the defendants willfully committed these actions for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

The plaintiff demands statutory damages up to $100,000, full costs and expenses of the lawsuit, including reasonable attorney's fees, and pre and post-judgment interest at the highest rate permitted by law.

This case highlights the ongoing legal issues surrounding the unauthorized broadcast of licensed sporting events in commercial establishments.

Chelsea's is a popular eatery and bar on Abilene's southwest side with excellent reviews on the Internet. The lawsuit was filed in October. Owner Moreno answered Pro Se, denying all allegations in the lawsuit on Nov. 14.