Pro sports leagues, NCAA defend their appeal of Delaware’s plans to offer sports betting

Pro leagues, NCAA appeal Delaware betting plan

DOVER, Del. — Attorneys for professional sports leagues and the NCAA say a motion to dismiss an appeal involving sports betting in Delaware has no merit.

The leagues are appealing the denial of an injunction that would have stopped the betting from beginning next month. A federal appeals court will hear arguments Monday, while a December trial is scheduled in Delaware on whether the sports betting plan is illegal.

Attorneys for Delaware say the appeal should be dismissed because the leagues have not shown that denial of the injunction has serious consequences or that an immediate appeal is their only recourse.

The leagues responded Wednesday that they have the right to appeal the denial of the injunction without having to satisfy any requirements. And the leagues say they have met those requirements anyway.