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 tracks the ongoing legal problems plaguing fantasy sports.

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• Nevada Gaming Control Board concludes that DFS is gambling under Nevada law, issuing cease and desist to unlicensed DFS operators. The Nevada Attorney General’s report.  Chris Grove’s report on Nevada’s decision.  The American Gaming Association’s statement in response.  Draft Ops responds to Nevada’s declaration.
• The FBI and Justice Department are investigating the DFS business model. One attorney says it could be a death sentence.  Justin Fielkow believes it will speed up the timeline for consumer protections.  Federal probes raise the question: how did DFS get so big so fast?
• New life for the New Jersey sports betting case as the Third Circuit grants en banc rehearing. More from the New York Times.  Meet the panel of judges that will hear the case.  Daniel Wallach thinks New Jersey is the favorite on rehearing.  The hearing could be on February 17.  Massachusetts waits on the decision.
• Congressional efforts to stem Internet sports gambling have been a spectacular failure. Under congressional scrutiny, FanDuel begins working with a D.C. lobbyist.  More on the congressional focus on DFS.  Washington lawmakers preparing to grill DFS executives in hearings next month.
• Legal Sports Report has a helpful state tracker to monitor DFS action from state governments. Sports gambling coming to Pennsylvania?  Illinois Gaming Board seeks ruling on legality of DFS sites.  Delaware is now investigating fantasy sports betting.
• Michael McCann on the legal risks facing the industry.
• Ryan Rodenberg predicts regulation is next for the industry.
• Dan Chaparian: why the controversy was inevitable and why the next one will be just as public.
• Six new class action lawsuit have been filed against DFS operators. You can read the full complaints here: Genchanok, Gomez, Khirani, Weaver, White, and Wicksman.
• UIGEA author claims DFS exemption from the law is “sheer chutzpah.”
• Dustin Gouker: DFS is sports betting.
• FTC asked to investigate DFS.
• DFS operators implement anti-money laundering safeguards.
• Fantasy Sports Trade Association gets subpoena from U.S. Attorney’s office in Tampa.
• The silver lining for second-tier DFS operators.

NCAA

• O’Bannon seeks en banc rehearing with Ninth Circuit. Here’s the petition.  Michael McCann on what to expect in the case.
• Florida State files motion to prevent release of Title IX suit depositions.
• Minnesota football players accused of sexual assault, harassment, and retaliation.
• SMU players’ statement protesting postseason ban.
• NCAA suspends Ole Miss football player Laremy Tunsil for receiving improper benefits.
• USC fires coach Steve Sarkisian after putting him on leave.

NFL

• NFL headed for another losing battle over GIFs.
• Andrew Brandt looks at the NFL’s draft age eligibility

Best of the Rest

• Nathaniel Grow on Chase Utley’s suspension appeal hearing today.
• Media silence over Thabo Sefolosha’s trial was deafening and mystifying.
• Did Germany buy the right to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup?
• Eugenie Bouchard sues USTA after slip and fall at the U.S. Open.
• Former Olympian Oscar Pistorius to be released from prison this week.