ATP Tour, Inc. is a Delaware membership corporation that operates as the governing body for the major (and some minor) men’s professional tennis circuits.  (A “membership” corporation does not have stockholders like a traditional corporation and often is the corporate form of choice for non-profits, although for profit companies can be membership corporations, as well.)  In the early 1990’s, ATP adopted a bylaw stating that:

In the event that (i) any [current or prior member or Owner or anyone on their behalf (“Claiming Party”)] initiates or asserts any [claim or counterclaim (“Claim”)] or joins, offers substantial assistance to or has a direct financial interest in any Claim against the League or any member or Owner (including any Claim purportedly filed on behalf of the League or any member), and (ii) the Claiming Party (or the third party that received substantial assistance from the Claiming Party or in whose Claim the Claiming Party had a direct financial interest) does not obtain a judgment on the merits that substantially achieves, in substance and amount, the full remedy sought, then each Claiming Party shall be obligated jointly and severally to reimburse the League and any such member or Owners for all fees,