National Hockey League v. Metro. Hockey Club, 427 U.S. 639 (1976)

National Hockey League v. Metropolitan Hockey Club

No. 75-1558

Decided June 30, 1976
427 U.S. 639

ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

Syllabus

District Court did not abuse its discretion in resorting to the extreme sanction of dismissing respondents’ antitrust action against petitioners pursuant to Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 37, the court having found that, notwithstanding its admonitions and numerous extensions, respondents failed to respond to written interrogatories ordered by the court, and that, under the circumstances such failure manifested "flagrant bad faith" and "callous disregard" by respondents’ counsel of their responsibilities.

Certiorari granted; 531 F.2d 1188, reversed.