Overview
(November 19, 2025, New York) — Steptoe achieved a significant victory for long-time client DISH Network L.L.C. (DISH), defeating Disney's effort to block DISH's innovative and consumer-friendly Sling Passes. The decision, issued by Judge Arun Subramanian in the Southern District of New York, affirms DISH's contractual rights to offer Sling Passes, which provide consumers with easy access to Sling TV for one day, one weekend or one week.
DISH launched Sling Passes on August 12, 2025. Sling Passes are short-term non-renewing subscriptions to the Sling Orange streaming service. They give consumers the freedom and power to watch what they want, when and how they want. On August 26, ESPN and other Disney entities filed suit against DISH, claiming that Sling Passes breach the parties' license agreement. Disney insisted that DISH was contractually prohibited from offering short-term subscriptions. On September 11, Disney moved for a preliminary injunction, requesting a court order that would quash Sling Passes. On Monday, November 17, 2025, the Court soundly rejected Disney's claims. The Court found that Sling Passes are firmly within DISH's contractual rights for distribution of ESPN and other Disney networks.
This outcome reflects Steptoe's deep expertise in complex disputes and its ability to deliver results. The Steptoe team litigation team is led by Elyse D. Echtman with Michael Allan, Michelle Kallen, Emma Marshak, Julie Lascano, Andrew Saba, John Mucciolo, and Catherine Matous. The team received paralegal support from Ruby Donaghu.
About Steptoe
In more than 110 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
