Bally Total Fitness controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile5 entries
2010
Texas action over past-due notices
The Texas attorney general alleged that Bally mailed more than 11,000 fake past-due notices to former members and urged recipients to pay immediately or rejoin the club.
2008
SEC financial-fraud charges
The SEC alleged that Bally overstated reported stockholders' equity by approximately $1.8 billion in 2001 and understated its 2003 net loss by $90.8 million.
2004
New York sales-practice investigation
More than 600 customer complaints filed with the New York Attorney General's office between 1999 and 2004 led to an investigation and an agreement by Bally to reform aspects of its sales tactics.
1997
Bally Sucks trademark litigation
Members Drew Faber and Ryan Meyer created a website collecting complaints about Bally and using a parodic version of its name. Bally sued for trademark infringement, dilution, and unfair competition. A federal district court ruled for the defendants, finding no likelihood of consumer confusion and rejecting the dilution and unfair-competition claims. The parties later settled with confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions.
1994
FTC settlement over billing and membership practices
Bally paid $120,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission charges concerning alleged illegal billing, cancellation, refund, and debt-collection practices.