The NBA Got Sued for Texting After STOP. Even Big Brands Get Called for Fouls.

Well, according to one consumer, not so much.

So what's alleged?

On May 29, 2026, George Head filed a proposed class action against National Basketball Association Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case number is 8:26-cv-01379. It's under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Here's what the complaint says:

• Head lives in Orange County, California.
• On or about November 29, 2025, he replied to the NBA's marketing texts with a stop instruction.
• The NBA allegedly ignored him and kept texting, including on or about December 15, 2025.
• He says he received at least two solicitations after his first opt-out.
• He says he uses the cell phone for personal purposes and as his residential line.

From that, the complaint argues the NBA doesn't have the required do-not-call procedures, doesn't keep a standalone do-not-call list and doesn't train its telemarketing staff. Head says the details of the NBA's do-not-call policies are "solely within Defendant's knowledge and control."

You can read it yourself here: NBA TCPA text message class action complaint.

These are allegations. The NBA has not been found liable.

Here's the thing ... it's a thin complaint

Even TCPAWorld called the allegations "pretty thin." Two texts after a STOP. That's about it.

But here's the other thing ... thin complaints still get filed. And they still cost money to fight. The complaint asks for up to $500 per text, up to $1,500 if willful, for everyone in a nationwide class going back four years.

Multiply that by the NBA's fan base, and you've got a reason to file.

The "texts aren't calls" wrinkle

The Seventh Circuit and several district courts have ruled that texts are not "telephone calls" under the TCPA section this complaint relies on. California federal courts are in the Ninth Circuit, which is a different story. So the NBA might have a defense. Might.

Would you want to put your brand on the line over "might"? Me neither.

What to do this week

• Test your opt-outs. Reply STOP. Then wait two weeks and see what shows up.
• Write down your do-not-call policy. The law requires one. Plaintiffs love to allege you don't have one.
• Train your people. Even if they never touch a phone, they still touch the platform.
• Sync every list. Teams, ticketing, merch, promos. One opt-out should stop all marketing.

Even the pros get called for fouls. Don't give the referees a reason.