Bicyclist Armstrong Appeals Arbitration Panel’s Decision to Supreme Court of Texas

On Friday, former professional bicyclist Lance Armstrong asked the Supreme Court of Texas to overturn a Dallas arbitration panel’s decision to reconsider a 2005 arbitration settlement in his favor.   The case arose out of a dispute between Armstrong and Dallas-based SCA Promotions over bonuses paid to the athlete in connection with his seven Tour de France wins.  During the arbitral proceedings, Armstrong reportedly stated under oath that he never used performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).  Pursuant to the parties’ arbitration settlement, Armstrong received about $12 million from SCA Promotions.

Last year, SCA Promotions sought to reopen the arbitration case after Armstrong publicly admitted to using PEDs throughout his career.  Although the original three-person arbitral panel agreed to revisit the dispute, Armstrong’s attorneys claim such a move violates Texas law.  Thus far, Texas courts have refused to stop the panel from reopening the case.  It will be interesting to see whether the Texas Supreme Court agrees to hear Armstrong’s appeal.