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 Ezekiel Elliott’s loss, the end of the UNC scandal, and more developments in the college basketball coaching scandal.

NFL

• The Fifth Circuit ruled that the NFLPA prematurely filed suit to challenge Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension. The case will now probably be dismissed.  The NFLPA has filed a motion to recall the Fifth Circuit’s mandate. If granted, this would leave Judge Mazzant’s injunction against the suspension in place until Elliott has time to seek rehearing.  Elliott does plan to seek a rehearing en banc with the Fifth Circuit.
• Does labor law protect NFL players’ political protests? A local labor union has filed a complaint against the Cowboys over Jerry Jones’s national anthem protest comments.
• NFL owners have made millions off of an obscure tax break.

NCAA

• NCAA cannot find academic violations in UNC case. Here’s the full decision.  Sean Dotson explains the decision and why universities are primarily responsible for policing academics.  Dan Wetzel: UNC embarrassed itself and the NCAA.
• More charges are expected in the college basketball coaching scandal. The FBI has documents on the relationship between the University of Kansas and Adidas, but won’t release them.  NCAA taps Condoleezza Rice to head an investigating commission in the wake of the scandal.  Analyzing Rick Pitino’s upcoming contract dispute.
• Amateurism and antitrust: a prelude to Jenkins v. NCAA.

Best of the Rest

• Podcast: Jaime Miettinen and Rex Sheild discuss NCAA name, image, and likeness releases.
• NBA jersey patch sponsorships and the issues they present.
• Interview: attorney Lance Reich discusses youth soccer clubs, training compensation, and solidarity compensation.