Florida [state court] judge rules against Disney in feud with DeSantis

[In It to Win It]

Florida judge rules against Disney in feud with DeSantis

WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) -A Florida judge on Friday rejected a Walt Disney Co request to dismiss a lawsuit by an oversight district, a move that could make it harder for the entertainment giant to pursue its own case against Governor Ron DeSantis as part of a yearlong feud.

The ruling allows the oversight district to pursue its case that seeks to void "backroom deals" favorable to Disney that were struck with a prior district board earlier this year. If those deals were voided, the district has said it would nearly wipe out Disney's federal case against DeSantis.

A Disney spokesperson said the decision "has no bearing" on the federal lawsuit seeking to "vindicate Disney's constitutional rights."

"We are fully confident Disney will prevail in both the federal and state cases," the spokesperson said in an email.

A spokesperson for the oversight district declined to comment.

The skirmish began last year after Disney criticized a Florida law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity with younger children. DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly attacked "woke Disney" in public remarks.

[FBaggins]

1. Not really a surprise

Disney has a shot at winning here (though I’d say that it’s less than 50/50)… but getting the case tossed before it really starts was never in the cards.