Ninth Circuit Gives Pro Golf Caddies an Antitrust Mulligan

Professional golf caddies may get a second shot at claiming that the PGA Tour Inc. violated federal antitrust laws and California unfair competition law by forcing them to work as unpaid advertising billboards.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held July 27 that a California district court was too hasty in dismissing the caddies’ antitrust claims without letting them try to plead enough for the allegations to stick.

The caddies sued the Professional Golfers’ Association in 2015 challenging contract terms that force them to sign over their publicity rights during tournaments and work as walking advertising displays ...