Mexican Football Federation Sues Kalshi Over Liga MX Trademark Use

A significant legal battle has erupted in New York as the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) takes a stand against the unauthorized use of its intellectual property. On September 22, the FMF filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Kalshi, an exchange operator specializing in prediction markets. The federation is seeking a temporary restraining order and permanent injunctions to prevent Kalshi from utilizing the Liga MX trademark and associated club names on its platform. This case highlights the increasing friction between sports governing bodies and the evolving landscape of digital prediction markets.

The FMF argues that Kalshi’s use of these trademarks is not only unauthorized but also potentially misleading to consumers, who might believe there is an official affiliation between the league and the exchange. Furthermore, the FMF is seeking damages, including the profits Kalshi earned from markets utilizing Liga MX data. The lawsuit claims that Kalshi uses FMF data as the definitive source to settle wagers without having any licensing agreement in place.

Numbers and facts

The timeline of the dispute shows a series of failed negotiations. FMF General Counsel Rafael Garcia Job first sent a cease-and-desist letter on July 17, demanding that Kalshi stop using logos and trademarks. While Kalshi responded on July 21 by removing some graphical logos, it insisted on its right to use plain-text names under the doctrine of nominative fair use. Kalshi’s General Counsel Richard Heaslip initially told the FMF the matter was closed. However, the FMF persisted, sending another demand on July 27, which was rejected by Kalshi’s Head of Litigation, Jovalin Dedaj, on August 6.

Interestingly, Kalshi has demonstrated an ability to use generic terms for other sports properties. The complaint notes that the platform refers to Major League Baseball as Pro Baseball and uses terms like The Big Game for the Super Bowl. Kalshi argues that Liga MX requires specific names because multiple clubs often share the same city, making generic geographic descriptions confusing for traders. The FMF, represented by Blank Rome LLP, remains unsatisfied with these explanations, leading to the current federal court action.

"Kalshi’s market rules designate FMF’s data as the facts that determine whether a wager wins or loses." - FMF Complaint, Southern District of New York

Background

This is not Kalshi's only legal challenge. In June 2026, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez filed a separate lawsuit against the company. The state alleges that Kalshi is operating an illegal sportsbook without proper licensing and has allowed individuals as young as 18 to participate, violating New Mexico's minimum age requirement of 21. Additionally, the NCAA previously forced Kalshi to remove trademarks like March Madness and Sweet Sixteen. In that instance, Kalshi complied by switching to generic terms such as Men’s College Basketball Champion. The refusal to do the same for Liga MX suggests a deliberate legal strategy to test the limits of fair use in prediction markets.

Why it matters for German players

For players in Germany, this legal conflict emphasizes the importance of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While the Kalshi case unfolds in the United States, it underscores why the German regulator, GGL, maintains a strict whitelist for legal operators. In Germany, the use of sports data and trademarks is strictly regulated to ensure consumer protection and integrity. German players benefit from a 1,000 Euro monthly deposit limit and a 1 Euro maximum bet per spin on slots. If a platform like Kalshi were to operate in Germany without a license, it would be blocked by the GGL to protect players from potential fraud and lack of accountability. The clear licensing framework in Germany prevents the kind of trademark ambiguity currently being litigated in New York.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed casinos and betting operators in Germany pay significant fees for the legal right to use sports data and trademarks. A victory for Kalshi could set a precedent that allows unlicensed entities to profit from sports intellectual property under the guise of informational use. For GGL-licensed providers, the enforcement of trademark rights by organizations like the FMF ensures a level playing field. It protects the value of official partnerships and prevents gray-market actors from capitalizing on the popularity of major sports leagues without contributing to the ecosystem's costs. The outcome of this case will be watched closely by legal departments across the global iGaming industry.

Additional sources: [x.com, nmdoj.gov]