By ANDREW DALTON, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The family of a late baseball executive is suing an auction house over the 1876 National League constitution, one of the most valuable artifacts in sports.

Mary Elizabeth Fleig, the 92-year-old widow of Fred Fleig, and others filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday against SCP Auctions.

Last May, the two sides were working together to sell the papers expected to fetch several million dollars.

But the auction was halted when Major League Baseball claimed it was the rightful owner.

The league and the Fleig family reached a settlement for joint ownership, but the plaintiffs allege that SCP Auctions refuses to relinquish them unless it is paid a 25 percent commission.

An email sent seeking comment from the auction company was not immediately returned.