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 the Deflategate Wells Report headlines, A-Rod’s bonus dispute, MayPac lawsuits, and fantasy sports gambling.

NFL

• The full Wells Report on Deflategate. Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s statement.  Brady’s agent Don Yee also released this statement.  Michael McCann’s analysis of the report and its fallout.  Andrew Brandt on why it’s a big deal for the league.  Why didn’t the NFL avoid the mess to begin with – was it a sting operation?  NFL precedent pointed to harsh discipline.
• The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that Roger Goodell cannot act as an arbitrator in disputes with NFL employees. The court’s unanimous decision is here.
• Concussion lawsuits could force team officials to testify.
• A New York judge denied the NFL’s motion to be dismissed from the Buffalo Jills wage lawsuit. Here’s the judge’s full order.
• Dwight Freeney discusses his suit against Bank of America.
• Linebacker Jermaine Cunningham faces revenge porn charges in court.
• The Seahawks offer an example of what not to do when investigating a draft pick’s legal issues.
• Andrew Brandt looks at a variety of NFL contract issues.

MLB

• Do the Yankees have the right to deny Alex Rodriguez bonus money for his 660th home run? Rodriguez’s case is the latest in a series of disputes in the midst of baseball’s labor “peace.”  Nathaniel Grow weighs in on the issue, and Darren Heitner offers his thoughts.  The league has denied any prior agreement with the MLBPA.
• Eight legal challenges to MLB’s new partnership with DraftKings.
• A Santa Clara county judge has ruled that San Jose violated the law by reaching a land purchase agreement with the Oakland A’s without a public referendum.
• MLB fixes the Trea Turner draft loophole.
• A neuropsychological expert weighs in on baseball concussions.

NCAA

• In its latest court filing, the NCAA continues to claim that scholarships may be reduced if the O’Bannon decision is upheld. Economists call the argument “nonsense.”
• Jameis Winston has filed a counterclaim against his rape accuser.
• LSU’s suit against former defensive coordinator John Chavis is set for a hearing on a declinatory exception of lis pendens.
• Why insurance doesn’t eliminate risk for college players who pass on the draft.

Fantasy Sports and Gambling

• Daniel Wallach on the growing relationship between sports leagues and fantasy sports gambling.
• Imagine the NBA with regulated gambling.
• A new Pennsylvania bill would permit daily fantasy sports tournaments in casinos.
• Kansas, Louisiana, and Iowa are progressing toward fantasy sports legislation.
• The unregulated world of daily fantasy sports gambling.

Boxing

• HBO and Showtime have filed suits over illegal streaming of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.
• Nevada authorities are investigating the possibility of perjury charges against Manny Pacquiao for failing to disclose his injury. A class action lawsuit has been filed against Pacquiao for failing to disclose the injury.
• Oscar de la Hoya’s promotion company is suing Floyd Mayweather’s manager and investors in a $300 million antitrust suit.

Best of the Rest

• The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that the method used to calculate Cleveland’s jock tax is unconstitutional. The court’s unanimous decision is here.  Athletes who have played in Cleveland within the past three years can seek a tax refund from the city.  The NFLPA has issued a memo to agents about the decision.
• Judge Nelson has ordered NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to testify in the NHL concussion lawsuit.
• California prepares to classify NBA and NFL cheerleaders as statutory employees.
• The NHL federal fraud conspiracy trial is beginning.