National Football League

Judge stops 2 splinter NFL Films lawsuits

Published Sep. 6, 2013 10:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

Two splinter lawsuits filed against NFL Films have been halted by the federal judge overseeing the original complaint against the league regarding retired player publicity.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson issued his order Friday from Minnesota.

He wrote that the lawsuits filed last month, in New Jersey with Curley Culp as the lead plaintiff and in Pennsylvania under Jack Tatum's name, have violated ''the letter and the spirit'' of the injunction against such actions while the original Dryer vs. NFL case is still pending.

That complaint was filed in 2009, accusing the league of exploiting retiree identities in highlight films and memorabilia. It was settled earlier this year for $50 million and set for final approval in October, but dozens of players upset about the distribution have opted out.