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 continued legal uncertainties surrounding fantasy sports as well as the latest developments in FIFA’s corruption scandal.

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• Dan Wallach looks at recently unsealed testimony on sports betting from David Stern, including comments that the NBA would seek payment for betting legalization.
• David Purdum looks at the NFL’s testimony: if the NFL believed gambling would increase its revenue, it would “engage in that activity.”
• Brent Holloway on the dilemma of skill: what it means for the future of daily fantasy sports, with thoughts from our own Justin Fielkow.
• Dustin Gouker examines the NFL’s complex relationship with fantasy sports.
• Nevada continues its exploration of the legality of fantasy sports.
• Indiana eyes revival of daily fantasy sports bill.
• College athletes who play daily fantasy sports will lose eligibility. Why the NCAA is so uneasy about the rise of daily fantasy sports.  Andy Schwarz: why daily fantasy is such a problem for the NCAA.  Bowl season will test the NCAA’s daily fantasy sports stance.

NFL

• NFL seeks resolution by filing request for an expedited appeal in its appeal of Judge Berman’s Deflategate decision.
• NFL and NFLPA jointly move to dismiss the NFLPA’s motion for contempt after settling the case.
• Growing legal issues for players and media with the NFL’s use of data mining.
• Aaron Hernandez lawyers allege improper juror conduct.
• Vikings face contract dispute with mascot Ragnar.

Soccer

• Swiss Attorney General opens investigation targeting FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Is the door finally closing on Blatter’s reign?
• FIFA hands over emails to assist criminal investigations.
• What happens if transfer fees are abolished?

NHL

• Michael McCann: what potential evidence tampering could mean for Patrick Kane’s case. Lawyer representing Kane’s accuser withdraws from the case.  McCann’s take on what impact the withdrawal will have.

Best of the Rest

• Penn State’s Sandusky scandal-related athletics monitoring nears an end.
• Judge denies UFC’s motion to dismiss antitrust lawsuit. You can read the briefs on the motion here.
• New cheerleader wage lawsuit, this time in the NBA against the Milwaukee Bucks.
• Lance Armstrong settles $10 million doping case with promotions company.
• Is it time to give up on antitrust law in pro sports? Geoffrey Rapp responds to Nathaniel Grow.
• Inaugural issue of the Journal of Sports Analytics.