DALLAS -- The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to pay $1.73 million to settle a class-action lawsuit claiming the team violated state and federal consumer protection laws by hiring a telemarketing company to fax unsolicited advertising to thousands of people.

The plaintiff, Omnibus International, alleged that the so-called "junk faxes" hurt legitimate advertising as well as consumers and businesses.

Dallas Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the team had no comment about the settlement.

Plaintiff's lawyer Julius Glickman of Houston said American Blast Fax sent the fax at least once to 125,000 locations. Those recipients will be notified they are eligible for up to $500 for each unsolicited fax.

If any funds remain, the Cowboys have agreed to donate it to charity, Glickman said.

"We are hopeful that junk faxers will begin to get the message that businesses and families want to be left alone and don't want advertisers tying up and using their fax machines," Glickman said.

The settlement, which still must be approved by a Dallas judge, combines the Dallas case with a similar lawsuit filed in Fort Worth.

In April, the Texas House overwhelmingly rejected a measure to shield the football team and some other businesses from potentially costly class-action lawsuits.