Last year the National Football League paid $765 million to settle a similar lawsuit brought by thousands of former players, many suffering from dementia and health problems. "The NHL has failed to institute policies and protocols that could have and will protect its players from suffering or exacerbating head trauma sustained during practice or in games," read the complaint.  Nine former players filed a class action lawsuit against the NHL on Thursday, alleging that the league subjected players to "the imminent risk of head trauma" leading to long-term negative health consequences. The plaintiffs in the suit are the former players Dan LaCouture, 36; Dan Keczmer, 45; Jack Carlson, 59; Richard Brennan, 41; Brad Maxwell, 56; Michael Peluso, 48; Tom Younghans, 61; Allan Rourke, 34; and Scott Bailey, 41. took no action to reduce the number and severity of concussions among its players during that period and Plaintiffs relied on the N.H.L.’s silence to their detriment.” 
 
 Owens and other lawyers said in a statement, “The N.H.L. In May, the family of Derek Boogaard filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the N.H.L., saying the league was responsible for the physical trauma and brain damage Boogaard sustained in six seasons as one of the league’s top enforcers. Boogaard was found dead of an accidental overdose of prescription painkillers and alcohol in 2011. continues to glorify and empower players known as ‘enforcers’ — players with the singular intention of injuring the opposing team.” 
 
 Bill Daly, the N.H.L.’s deputy commissioner, said in a statement: “While the subject matter is very serious, we are completely satisfied with the responsible manner in which the league and the players association have managed player safety over time, including with respect to head injuries and concussions. “We do not believe the new complaint provides any valid basis for liability or damages as against the National Hockey League, and we intend to defend the case and others that may follow it vigorously.” 
 
 The N.H.L. set up a concussion study program in 1997, the first in North American major league sports, and has in recent years modified rules in response to increased concern about head trauma. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in New York, is the second filed against the National Hockey League in less than five months to claim the league did not do enough to prevent concussions.
– The National Hockey League is being sued by nine of its own, who claim the league "intentionally created, fostered, and promoted a culture of extreme violence" with an eye on profit, the suit reads. Ex-players brought a similar suit against the NHL in November, but the New York Times describes this one as "more graphic." One plaintiff, Michael Peluso—who previously said he suffers from concussion-related seizures—was an enforcer who fought 179 times over nine years. The suit also claims the league stayed mum on the risks of head trauma and kept scientific evidence on that subject from players, Reuters reports. "The NHL has subjected and continues to subject its players to the imminent risk of head trauma and, as a result, devastating and long-term negative health consequences," the suit continues. It also notes recent head trauma-minded rule changes have been "untimely and ineffective." The NHL's deputy commissioner, however, says, "we are completely satisfied with our record on player safety, including as it relates to head injuries and brain trauma." Experts say the players likely want an out-of-court settlement.