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Keywords

contractinjunctionappealtrialverdictjury trial

contractinjunctiontrialverdictmotionsummary judgmentwillappellant

Related Cases

Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Inc. v. Harris, 348 S.W.2d 37

Facts

The Dallas Cowboys Football Club filed an action against James B. Harris seeking an injunction to prevent him from playing professional football for any team other than the Cowboys, claiming he was bound by a contract. Harris had previously signed a contract with the Los Angeles Rams, which included an option for renewal. After a jury trial, the court ruled in favor of Harris, leading the Cowboys to appeal the decision. The case involved issues of contract interpretation and the unique skills of the player.

Appellant Dallas Cowboys Football Club, Inc., hereinafter called the Club, a member of the National Football League, brought this action against James B. Harris for injunction to restrain Harris from playing professional football, or engaging in any activities related to professional football for anyone except the Club.

Issue

Whether the trial court erred in denying the Cowboys' request for a permanent injunction against Harris based on his alleged unique skills as a football player.

Rule

Injunctive relief can be granted to enforce negative covenants in personal service contracts if the employee possesses exceptional and unique knowledge, skill, and ability. If a jury finds that the employee does not possess such skills, the court must respect that finding unless there is no evidence to support it.

Injunctive relief will be granted to restrain violation by employee of negative covenants in personal service contract if employee is a person of exceptional and unique knowledge, skill and ability in performing the service called for in the contract.

Analysis

The court analyzed the evidence presented during the trial, including testimonies regarding Harris's skills as a football player. The jury found that Harris did not possess exceptional skills, which the Cowboys contested. The court noted that even if there was some evidence supporting the Cowboys' claim, the jury's finding must be upheld unless it was completely unsupported by evidence.

If the record reveals any evidence of probative force in support of this finding it was not error for the court to submit Special Issue No. 1 to the jury, nor was it error to overrule the Club's motions for summary judgment, directed verdict and judgment non obstante veredicto.

Conclusion

The court affirmed the trial court's judgment denying the Cowboys a permanent injunction against Harris, as the jury's finding that he lacked exceptional skills was supported by evidence.

The judgment on the merits is reversed and the cause remanded, and the order granting temporary injunction is affirmed.

Who won?

James B. Harris prevailed in this case as the court upheld the jury's finding that he did not possess the exceptional skills claimed by the Cowboys. The court emphasized the importance of the jury's role in determining factual issues and found that the evidence did not overwhelmingly support the Cowboys' claims, thus maintaining the jury's verdict.

James B. Harris prevailed in this case as the court upheld the jury's finding that he did not possess the exceptional skills claimed by the Cowboys.

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