The lawsuit, filed in March, stems from a Ladies Night promotional event, that happened when the Grizzlies were taking on the Stockton Ports on May 25 last year.
The 23-page complaint claims that the Grizzlies violated the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination regardless of age, race, religion, disability, sex or sexual orientation.
Legal Analyst Kevin Little said that type of promotion can be a gamble when it comes to legal challenges.
“But if it’s a ladies night, and it clearly entitles women,” said Little. “Just by virtue of being women, to get in at a free, either free or at a reduced price relative to men. You run the risk of these sorts of lawsuits.”
The plaintiffs on the case are Christine Johnson and Harry Crouch.
The complaint said that Crouch paid $18 dollars to get into the stadium, while Johnson got into the game for free.
They’re now seeking $5 million in damages.
“But if as the complaint indicates, it was an event that was promoted as providing a differential entry fee for men versus women, it would presumptively violate the Unruh,” said Little.