The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have initiated legal action against a lighting company, seeking over $230,000 in damages for breach of contract. The lawsuit, filed on August 20, 2023, in the U.S. District Court, names multiple defendants, including Midstream Lighting Holding Inc. and its affiliates, along with individuals associated with the firms.
According to court documents, the RedHawks and Fargo Baseball LLC allege that they paid an invoice totaling $235,305.44 in November 2022, which represented 50% of the total project cost for lighting at Newman Outdoor Field. The complaint asserts that Midstream Lighting failed to deliver the necessary equipment and commence services as per their agreement.
RedHawks President and CEO Brad Thom opted not to comment on the filing. The court documents reveal that Midstream Lighting LTD, based in London, established U.S. operations in 2019 in Miami. Subsequently, Midstream Lighting US opened an office in Ohio in October 2022.
The lawsuit claims that funding from Midstream Holding to Midstream US ceased in September 2023, leading to the creation of Athletic Lighting Solutions Inc. (ALS) by Midstream US. The RedHawks allege that their deposit was improperly transferred to ALS without their knowledge, which has complicated their recovery efforts.
In April 2025, the RedHawks claim they reached an agreement to cancel the contract, which stipulated the return of their deposit along with interest and legal fees by April 23, 2025. The filing indicates that Midstream US breached this agreement by only returning $12,000 before the deadline. As a result, the RedHawks were compelled to seek a new lighting supplier.
The team ultimately selected Ballpark Lighting Inc., located in Buffalo, New York, to install a new lighting system at Newman Outdoor Field. Thom expressed satisfaction with the lighting system provided by Ballpark Lighting.
Despite these developments, the RedHawks maintain that they have not recovered the remaining $237,905.44, plus interest, which they assert they are owed following the cancellation agreement. The ongoing lawsuit underscores the financial and operational challenges faced by the organization in their pursuit of adequate facility improvements.