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 more Tom Brady and Deflategate, Todd McNair, and a new CBA for MLS.

NFL

• The NFL’s $12 billion deal with DirecTV faces a major antitrust You can read the complaints filed against the NFL and DirecTV here and here.
• One report says the NFLPA will go to court if Tom Brady is suspended for any games. More details on Brady v. Goodell.  Alan Milstein on why the battle may be in a Minnesota court. Brady’s interests aren’t necessarily aligned with anyone else’s.
• Former cornerback Will Allen committed 23 felonies in a Ponzi scheme.
• The end of the USFL: how the league beat the NFL in court but only received $1 in damages.
• Judge dismisses Dwight Freeney’s suit against Bank of America.

NCAA

• Magistrate judge ordered the NCAA to pay Ed O’Bannon’s attorneys more than $44 million in attorney fees, comparing the legal battles to Game of Thrones in the process.
• Judge approves $60 million settlement of name and likeness video game lawsuit.
• Previously sealed documents in the Todd McNair case now released. McNair’s brief.  McNair’s appendix of exhibits.
• Austin Nichols lawyers up while seeking transfer release.

Soccer

• MLS announced it has ratified a new CBA. More details on each side’s wins and losses.
• Swiss prosecutors discover 28 new instances of money laundering in FIFA case, related to the World Cup bidding process.
• Former CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb is the first arrested FIFA official to be extradited to the U.S. Webb pleaded not guilty in his first appearance in a U.S. court.
• South American officials investigated and arrested in connection with corruption probe.
• Judge dismisses concussion lawsuit against FIFA.

MLB

• Another week, another class action lawsuit against MLB, this one over fan safety and additional netting. Nathaniel Grow on why the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed.
• Minor leaguers’ minimum wage lawsuit has survived MLB’s motion to dismiss.
• Commissioner Rob Manfred discusses labor talks and a shortened MLB season.

NBA

• Adam Silver talks team financials, a lockout, and more.
• Tom Ziller: start the NBA lockout countdown clock again.
• Zach Lowe on the conflict of interest concerns from agents representing both players and coaches.

Best of the Rest

• A new California law has been signed ensuring cheerleaders are protected by minimum wage laws.
• Kevin Carpenter: a blueprint for the future of sports governance.
• Ryan O’Reilly charged with DWI and fleeing the scene.
• Senate passes amendment to urge pardon for boxer Jack Johnson.
• An interview with sports lawyer Scott Andresen.
• The growing clout of FanDuel and DraftKings.