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 highlights the growing legal issues in the daily fantasy sports industry.

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• The Scandal: The biggest news in sports law this week was the continued fallout from the employee information scandal in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) industry. The scandal is raising a lot of questions for DFS companies.  Answering the seven biggest questions on the data leak.  Dustin Gouker reviewed DraftKings’ statement and other issues in the scandal.  Michael McCann discusses some of the legal concerns.  Timeline of responses.
• The Investigations: New York Attorney General opens inquiry into fantasy sports sites. Here is the New York AG’s letter to DraftKings.  And the letter to FanDuel.  Massachusetts Attorney General says the DraftKings operation is legal.    DraftKings CEO Jason Robins announces that third party will audit its systems.  Daniel Wallach reported that a federal grand jury is convening in Florida to investigate DFS operators.  McCann: what it could mean for DFS companies.  DFS gearing up for a fight in Florida.  Chris Grove reviews the situation.
• The Impending Regulations: Daniel Wallach: regulation is the future, not prohibition. Amaya calls for state regulation of DFS.  New York Times: rein in online fantasy sports gambling.  Boston Globe: regulate fantasy sports games.  Bob McGovern: thinking DFS sites could stay unregulated was fantasy.  Darren Heitner: days of no regulation are done.  Regulation will help DFS survive.  State and federal officials seek answers.  Indiana lawmakers begin to move on DFS regulation.
• The Lawsuit: A new class action suit alleges inside information is unfair to DFS players. Here’s the complaint.  Legal Sports Report summarizes the suit.  What impact will the lawsuit have?
• More fallout: DraftKings pulls ESPN advertising. Pro sports teams’ secrets just got more valuable.  Brian Holland: are DFS a billion-dollar house of cards?
• Marc Edelman: MLB’s lack of knowledge about DraftKings policies is disturbing.
• The NFL’s role in shielding fantasy sports.

NCAA

• Andrew Sensi explains how O’Bannon closes the door on the Olympic model and how college athletes should approach trademarks going forward. Tim Epstein: O’Bannon was a tie, but weighs against the NCAA in the long run.
• Scott Schneider looks at Title IX compliance and the investigation of Rutgers.
• Former Louisville recruit confirms escort allegations to NCAA. Cari Grieb writes about the legal challenges Rick Pitino faces in Louisville’s escort scandal.
• Timeline of NCAA investigation into Louisiana-Lafayette recruiting violations.
• College Athletes Players Association leaders still pushing for NCAA changes.
• Here’s a look at the NCAA enforcement process from the inside.
• Texas to settle contract dispute with Oklahoma State over assistant coach.
• Former college baseball player sues university for negligence.

Soccer

• FIFA’s ethics committee initially recommended a 90-day suspension for president Sepp Blatter. FIFA then banned Blatter, vice president Michel Platini, and secretary general Jerome Valcke for 90 days, with a possible extension not to exceed 45 days.  FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon was banned for six years.  Blatter is appealing the ban, claiming unfair treatment.
• Lionel Messi will stand trial in Spain on three counts of tax fraud.

NBA

• Atlanta Hawks player Thabo Sefolosha’s trial took place this week. Colin Moynihan reported on the beginning of the trial.  Michael McCann commented on the radically different  Jake Pearson detailed some of the testimony in the case.  The jury found Sefolosha not guilty.  McCann explains what the verdict may mean for Sefolosha going forward.

NFL

• NFL owner on Deflategate: we made a mountain out of a mole hill. Roger Goodell continued to dodge questions on the case.
• Retired players filed several reply briefs this week with the Third Circuit arguing why the NFL concussion settlement should be reversed. Paul Anderson has compiled all the briefs here.  Oral arguments are scheduled for November 20.

MLB

• Nathaniel Grow: San Jose strikes out at the Supreme Court; MLB’s antitrust exemption
• Revenue sharing and player salaries in MLB.
• Chase Utley plans to appeal his suspension for illegally sliding into Ruben Tejada.

Best of the Rest

• A. Kings and Mike Richards reach settlement of contract termination dispute.
• Nike ordered to hand over communications with Lance Armstrong as part of ongoing lawsuit.
• Wanderlei Silva files motion to dismiss UFC’s lawsuit against him.
• Family claims Oscar Pistorius’s rights are being undermined.