Facts

Plaintiff GJL Sports Camps Inc. was owned and operated by Greg Lanthier, former head coach of UCSD's men's basketball team. For approximately 10 years, GJL operated a variety of summer sports camps on the UCSD campus, coordinating tournaments for boys and girls high school basketball teams, and in the final two years, high school football teams.

In March 2004, UCSD elected not to renew Coach Lanthier's basketball coaching contract. In 2005, UCSD began conducting its own boys' high school basketball team camp, with Lanthier's replacement serving as the director of UCSD's camp. Many of the UCSD camp attendees had previously attended GJL's basketball team camp.

UCSD did not operate a girls' team basketball camp or a football camp. According to defense counsel, GJL requested and was offered dates on which to conduct its team camps at UCSD for the summer of 2005, but did not accept the offered dates and effectively went out of business. Plaintiff's counsel denies this and claimed GJL was never offered dates for the summer of 2005.

According to plaintiff's counsel, The Regents' cross-complaint sought recovery of approximately $100,000 (including interest) on three alleged contracts relating to GJL's last year of operation, including $59,000 on an unpaid bill from GJL's final year of camp operations.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended that the University took its camps, marketed them using GJL's marketing materials in a deceptive manner, and unlawfully interfered with GJL's business relationships. Plaintiff further contended that defendants destroyed GJL's ability to continue operating the girls' team basketball camp or a football camp.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendants contended that UCSD had the right to operate a camp business; that they clearly marketed its camp as a UCSD camp; and that they did not unlawfully interfere with GJL's business relationships; and that GJL was free to continue operating the girls' team basketball camp and football camp.

The Regents also contended GJL had not fully paid for services and accommodations provided by UCSD related to GJL's 2004 summer camp operations.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $450,000 in mediation. The defendant made a C.C.P. Section 998 offer of $75,000, which was rejected.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed loss of the business, valued at $937,648.

Result

Defense verdict on GJL's claims; verdict for the cross-complainant The Regents against GJL Sports for $59,361.40 on one of the contracts in the cross-complaint (no interest was awarded). Verdict for GJL on the other contracts in the cross-complaint.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Nov. 22, 2005.

Deliberation

two days

Length

15 days