Sports Law Links

Each week The Sports Esquires keep track of the sports law headlines so you don’t have to.  Last week we brought you sport-specific links each day to catch you up on recent sports law news.  This week our weekly links column returns as the Hernandez trial concludes, the Wrigley rooftop owners lose again in court, and a new lawsuit could change ticketing sales.  Subscribe to get the links as a weekly email to your inbox.

NFL

• The Aaron Hernandez trial is nearly at an end. A recap of Hernandez’s fiancée’s testimony.  Hernandez lied to Patriots owner Robert Kraft about his involvement.  Michael McCann’s analysis of Kraft’s testimony and Alexander Bradley’s.  The judge made rulings on jury instructions.  How did Hernandez pass all his NFL drug tests despite frequent marijuana use?  What we’ve learned from the trial.
• The Atlanta Falcons will lose a fifth round pick and $350,000 for pumping in crowd noise. Andrew Brandt on the punishments the NFL levied against the Falcons and Browns.
• Dwight Freeney sued Bank of America over alleged involvement in a $20 million fraud scheme. Here’s the full complaint.
• The team of doctors who evaluated Saints owner Tom Benson’s mental health have submitted their reports.

MLB

• Judge Kendall denied the rooftop owners’ request for a preliminary injunction against the Cubs. The full opinion is here.  Nathaniel Grow assessed the decision.
• John Sigety analyzed the decision to send Kris Bryant to the minors. Another look at the Bryant grievance.
• Josh Hamilton avoided suspension for his alleged drug relapse.
• MLB’s international signing bonus problems and the 2016 CBA.
• MLB makes an additional equity investment in DraftKings.

Soccer

• MLS set to approve Minnesota’s expansion bid.
• The AP confirms that MLS never finalized its 2010-2015 CBA.
• FIFA published its three-year financial performance report.
• Wild West or Brave New World? Looking at FIFA’s new agent regulations.
• Soccer’s money laundering problem.
• Barclays will not renew its sponsorship of the Premier League following the 2015-16 season.

NCAA

• UNC and the NCAA seek to dismiss an academic fraud lawsuit.
• A new South Carolina bill would require schools to pay college athletes up to $10,000 per year.
• LSU defensive back Jalen Mills goes on trial for simple battery.
• Are conference-level scholarship limits safe from antitrust scrutiny?

Best of the Rest

• StubHub has sued the Golden State Warriors and Ticketmaster for conspiring to create an illegal resale market. The full complaint.
• Cycling’s governing body urged new anti-doping measures in response to a scathing report detailing the sport’s failure to catch Lance Armstrong. WADA called Armstrong’s bid for a reduced ban too late.
• The IOC published its compensation policy in an effort to increase transparency.
• A Nevada senate bill would allow private entities to place pooled wagers at Nevada sports books.
• Here’s a roundup of recently published sports law scholarship.
• The Washington Post covers the growing litigation in club and youth sports.