Defendants who are citizens of the United Kingdom
and have played, taught, coached, and worked in
the soccer industry most of their lives were hired by
plaintiffs to provide soccer camp services to roughly
185 soccer clubs in the past year, accounting for ap-
proximately $1.5 million in annual revenue. Each of
the defendants entered into an employment contract
that included clauses of noncompete, not to solicit,
and not to disclose. After several months, defendants
all wished to distance themselves from Russell, MLS
Camps's owner, because of alleged mistreatment, de-
ception, bullying, and abuse. Defendants attained new
employment.
Plaintiffs alleged that, since defendants left their
employment with plaintiffs, plaintiffs experienced an
immediate drop in customers in the New York-New
Jersey area. They sought injunctive relief to bar defen-
dants from working. After balancing the equities in
public interest of noncompetition clauses as well as
the basic need for employment, who will prevail?