Sports Law Links

Each week the Sports Esquires keep track of the sports law headlines so you don’t have to.  This week’s edition features a host of NBA and NHL issues, Russian doping sanctions, combat sports, and more.

NBA

• Enes Kanter takes on the Turkish government.
• Zach Lowe: confidential arbitration provides insight into how the NBA handles domestic violence and sexual assault allegations.
• Federal lawsuit could affect NBA approval of Pistons’ move.
• NBA agent Dan Fegan wins arbitration decision and can continue representing clients.
• Charles Oakley rejects plea deal in Madison Square Garden case.
• Was Draymond Green tampering when he recruited Kevin Durant?
• Light reading: the full property negotiation agreement between the Clippers and Inglewood.
• Fan sues Zaza Pachulia for injuring Kawhi Leonard.
• Yes, JaVale McGee agreed to pay $26,000 to settle a lawsuit involving his unauthorized hairless cat.
• Larry Coon has updated his extremely useful Salary CAP FAQ to account for many of the changes in the newest CBA.

NHL

• NHL bans players from Olympic participation and should expect a legal fight.
• NHL salary cap expected to rise after NHLPA votes on escalator clause.
• Gary Bettman and the NHL face questions about concussions.
• Two retired Buffalo Sabres players join NHL concussion lawsuit.
• Alderman threatens constitutional challenge to public financing of St. Louis Blues arena renovations.
• Judge dismisses remainder of Derek Boogaard wrongful death suit against the NHL. John Smallwood: the decision is a message to all leagues.

International

• FIFA admits workers have suffered human rights abuses during the construction of the 2018 World Cup arena in St. Petersburg.
• Court of Arbitration for Sport uploads more than 100 new arbitration decisions.
• Can Ronaldo win his tax case against Spain?
• IOC chief says Russia will still face sanctions despite new anti-doping efforts. Meanwhile, WADA has given the Russian anti-doping agency limited testing powers.  And the International Paralympic Committee maintained its suspension of Russia.
• Podcast: Sports law at an international law firm with Brian Socolow of Loeb & Loeb.

MLB

• The Ninth Circuit rejects minor league wage lawsuit based on baseball’s antitrust exemption.
• Umpire files racial discrimination suit against MLB.
• Chief Wahoo legal challenge proceeds in Canada.
• Former Philly “Wild Thing” wins suit against MLB Network for morals clause firing.
• Charles Weeghman and why fans get to keep foul balls.

Combat Sports

• Vegas court denies UFC’s motion to dismiss the Mark Hunt RICO, negligence, and breach of contract lawsuit.
• Judge orders settlement discussions in WWE lawsuit.
• Why is everyone against a UFC CBA, when fighters need one?

NFL

• Andrew Brandt: Why NFL contracts are vastly different from NBA contracts.
• Peter Sullivan breaks down the Supreme Court’s decision in Matal v. Lee, the case that resulted in a Redskins victory in the team’s trademark registration suit.
• Dirty laundry: Eli Manning, the Giants, and a legal battle over game-worn memorabilia.

Best of the Rest

• Michael Albert and Justin Fielkow discuss legal issues surrounding athletes’ advertising on Twitter.
• Report reveals culture of secrecy, coercion, and medical malpractice in Nike’s Oregon Project. Chris Chavez and Michael McCann discuss the legal implications.
• Judge rules that some of Vijay Singh’s claims against the PGA Tour can go to trial. Here’s the full decision.
• Podcast: labor lawyer Jim Quinn talks Raiders, his career, and more.
• USA Gymnastics needs a cultural change after sexual assault allegations. An investigator found that the number of victimized athletes is “far higher” than previously reported.
• Lance Armstrong’s business partner and agent have reached a settlement of a federal lawsuit.
• Darren Heitner: why I stopped being a sports agent.