LITIGATION: Block That Antitrust Suit

• Share

This Sunday, when the camera zooms in for a closeup of the National Football League action, look carefully at the helmets. Chances are you will see the ) word Riddell emblazoned on the nose guard. Riddell Inc. of Chicago has 60% of the N.F.L. helmet market and a peculiar contract: if players use another brand of helmet, they must cover the maker's name. Riddell won that provision in return for supplying N.F.L. teams with free helmets, pads and jerseys.

Illegal procedure, says the country's only other major helmet producer, Athletic Helmet Inc. of Litchfield, Ill. A.H.I. has filed suit in federal court alleging that Riddell conspired to monopolize N.F.L. sales and deprive A.H.I.'s trademark of exposure on national TV. "If your product is not seen in the N.F.L. market," says Richard Compere, A.H.I.'s lawyer, "then it loses credibility."

Chicago sports columnist Bob Verdi argues against the suit. Says he: "I think they ought to send it to the instant-replay official to review it."