Los Angeles Land Co. Sierra Palm Partners West Lanes Inc. v. Brunswick Corporation

Brunswick Corporation (“Brunswick”) appeals from the district court’s judgment following a jury verdict awarding to Los Ange-les Land Company (“L.A. Land”) $15,168,000 under section 2 of the Sherman Act, and, alternatively, one-third that amount under California common law governing tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. Brunswick contends that the district court should have granted its motions for directed verdict and judgment notwithstanding the verdict because L.A. Land failed to prove violations of federal antitrust law or state tort law. This case centers on the competing efforts of the two parties to build a bowling center in Palmdale in the Antelope Valley (a portion of Los Angeles County) at a time when Brunswick owned the only existing center in the Valley.

The district court had jurisdiction over the federal antitrust claims under 15 U.S.C. §§ 15 , 26, and pendent jurisdiction over the state law claims. We have jurisdiction to review the district court’s final judgment under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We reverse.

I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

Brunswick wholly owns two subsidiaries— one which manufactures and sells bowling equipment, and another which owns…