Joe Hand Promotions is a Pennsylvania-based company that sells commercial licenses for pay-per-view (PPV) sporting events. They distribute rights to events such as UFC fights, boxing matches, and other premium live sports to bars, restaurants, casinos, and other commercial venues.

If you received a demand letter or got sued by Joe Hand Promotions, this page will explain exactly what they are, how their enforcement process works, and what your options are.

What Does Joe Hand Promotions Do?

Joe Hand Promotions acts as a middleman between major sports promoters and commercial establishments. They pay for exclusive distribution rights to big events, then resell those rights to venues.

There are two types of licenses:

The commercial license costs significantly more than a residential one. That price difference exists because businesses profit from showing the event. Higher food and drink sales, cover charges, and increased foot traffic all come from putting the fight on the screen.

When a venue shows a Joe Hand Promotions event using a residential account, a pirated stream, or no license at all, that is considered unauthorized commercial exhibition. Joe Hand Promotions aggressively pursues legal action in these situations.

What Events Does Joe Hand Promotions Distribute?

Joe Hand Promotions distributes rights for a wide range of premium live sports content, including:

• UFC events (including major pay-per-view cards)
• Professional boxing (including major championship fights)
• WWE events
• DAZN programming
• Other MMA and combat sports events

They work with major promoters like PBC on PPV, Top Rank, Zuffa Boxing, and others to cover a broad calendar of events throughout the year.

How Does Joe Hand Promotions Catch Venues?

Joe Hand Promotions does not rely on tips or complaints. They use a paid network of investigators who physically visit bars, restaurants, and other venues on event nights.

What investigators document:

• Whether the event is being shown without a valid commercial license
• The number of TVs displaying the broadcast
• The number of patrons in the venue at the time
• Photos or video of the unauthorized broadcast

This documentation serves as the evidence package for their lawsuit. Because investigators visit in person, it is very difficult to argue the event was not shown publicly.

What Laws Does Joe Hand Promotions Sue Under?

Joe Hand Promotions typically sues under two sections of the Federal Communications Act (FCA):

The specific claim depends on how the venue received the signal. Most lawsuits include both sections as an alternative, covering either satellite or cable delivery.

What Are the Penalties?

This is where Joe Hand Promotions cases get serious. The statutory damages under the FCA can add up quickly.

Joe Hand Promotions almost always argues that violations were willful. Their reasoning is straightforward: it is very difficult to accidentally show a commercial PPV event. You either pay for it, or you do not. Courts have generally agreed.

Most cases settle out of court. Settlement amounts vary widely depending on factors like the size of the venue, the number of screens that showed the event, the number of patrons present, and whether the violation is found to be willful. There is no fixed amount; every case is different.

Got a Letter or Lawsuit from Joe Hand Promotions? Here Is What You Need to Know

Do not ignore it. A demand letter from Joe Hand Promotions is a serious legal matter. Most demand letters set a response deadline, often 30 days or less. If you do nothing, they will likely file a federal lawsuit. If you are already named in a federal lawsuit, a default judgment can be entered against you if you fail to respond.

Joe Hand Promotions regularly works with a small group of outside law firms to pursue these claims. The firms that most commonly represent them in demand letters and federal lawsuits include Jekielek & Janis and Signal Law. If the letter or court filing you received lists either of those firms, or attorneys Ryan Janis or Julie Lonstein, you are dealing with Joe Hand Promotions’ standard enforcement counsel.

Do not try to settle on your own right away. Settlement amounts are negotiable. The first demand is rarely the final number. An attorney experienced in these cases can negotiate on your behalf and may be able to significantly reduce the amount.

What to do right now:

• Read the letter carefully and note any deadlines
• Do not destroy any records or footage from the night in question
• Do not contact Joe Hand Promotions or their attorneys directly
• Contact a federal civil litigation attorney as soon as possible

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Can I argue I didn’t know I needed a commercial license?

Ignorance of the licensing requirement is not a strong defense. Courts generally hold that commercial operators are responsible for knowing the rules governing the broadcasting of events. However, it is one factor that may affect the overall outcome.

What if an employee or contractor put the fight on without my knowledge?

This comes up often. While you may argue reduced culpability, the business entity is still typically held liable for what happens on the premises. An attorney can help you frame this argument properly.

Will I be sued personally, or just my business?

Joe Hand Promotions commonly names both the business entity and the individual owner or manager in the same lawsuit. If you are the owner of record or were present when the event was shown, you may be named individually. This is one of the reasons having an attorney review the complaint early matters.

Can I fight the lawsuit instead of settling?

Yes. Defending the case is an option, especially if there are weaknesses in Joe Hand Promotions’ evidence or documentation. The decision depends on the strength of their case, the potential damages, and the cost of litigation.

Will settling affect my ability to show future events?

Settling a Joe Hand Promotions lawsuit generally resolves only that specific claim. It does not automatically prevent you from obtaining a commercial license going forward.

How Antonelli Law® Can Help

Antonelli Law® is a federal civil litigation firm that handles pay-per-view infringement cases, including actions brought under the Federal Communications Act. With litigation experience since 2000 and federal court practice since 2006, the firm understands how to evaluate these cases, negotiate with plaintiffs, and defend clients with viable cases.

If you received a demand letter or lawsuit from Joe Hand Promotions, here is what a consultation with Antonelli Law looks like:

• Review your situation: We look at the demand letter or complaint and explain exactly what you are facing
• Identify your options: Settlement, defense, or other strategies depending on the facts
• Give honest guidance: You will hear the truth about your situation, not a pitch designed to scare you into hiring

Consultations are completely free and confidential. Even if you do not hire us, the conversation is covered by attorney-client privilege.