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 focuses on the legality of daily fantasy sports, especially the industry’s New York legal battle.

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• The New York Decision: New York’s Attorney General issues cease and desist to DraftKings and FanDuel to stop taking entries in the state. Chris Grove: FAQs on the New York situation – what are the ramifications for the rest of the DFS industry?  Michael McCann: a “severe blow” to the industry.  Payment processing partner tells DFS sites to exit New York in wake of the AG’s statement.  DraftKings leaves door unlocked for barred fantasy sports players.
• DraftKings and FanDuel fight back: DraftKings sued New York’s AG arguing his decision is unconstitutional. The DraftKings complaint.  The FanDuel complaint.  Dustin Gouker provides statements and excerpts from the lawsuits.  DFS in court: a legal explainer.  The lawsuits push the battle to a critical  John Brennan explains why FanDuel hopes an unusual New Jersey case will help its cause in New York.  Is DraftKings’ defiance a smart legal move?
• Great sports law analysis isn’t just written anymore. Here’s some New York DFS legal coverage worth listening to and watching: The Daily Fantasy Basketball Podcast hosted Justin Fielkow and Daniel Green to discuss DFS legal issues in New York.  Video: Tony Iliakostas covered the “Fantasy for All” protest rally in New York with firsthand footage and interviews.  The Big Lead Podcast: Justin Fielkow on whether DFS could face its own version of poker’s Black Friday.
• The latest from Florida: Legislation to regulate DFS in Florida is taking shape. Florida lawmakers appear receptive to the industry.  New Florida lawsuit alleges DraftKings and FanDuel violate Florida gambling law.
• Other states may weigh in on DFS legality: New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maryland, Texas, and Massachusetts. Legal Sports Report’s DFS State Watch is a helpful roundup of DFS legal and political developments.
• Analysis: Michael McCann: key storylines to follow in the DFS saga. Other legal experts weigh in on a variety of legal issues facing the DFS industry.
• Other news: American Gaming Association seeks alternative to current sports betting law. Canadian Gaming Association says DFS is illegal in Canada.  The Department of Justice may move to declare DFS gambling by the end of the year.  NFL owners’ stakes in the industry may be in jeopardy.  For now, though, the DOJ has declined to speculate.

MLB

• First test for the new MLB domestic violence policy: Jose Reyes arrested for alleged domestic violence. For more on the MLB’s new domestic violence policy, read Dan Werly’s explanation.
• Nathaniel Grow previews MLB’s upcoming 2016 CBA negotiations: Part 1 and Part 2.
• MLB will begin monitoring betting lines in real time starting next season.

NCAA

• LSU investigating whether Leonard Fournette’s family committed NCAA violations. The investigation came at the NCAA’s request.
• Jaime Miettinen reviews the new NCAA basketball rule changes.
• USOC works to sustain Olympic programs at the NCAA level.

International

• WADA calls for IAAF to suspend Russia from competitions. WADA revokes accreditation of Russian lab after doping report.  IAAF suspends Russia from official international competitions.
• FIFA ethics committee sanctioned a number of officials with bans and fines.

Best of the Rest

• Inside the NFL hearing that reinstated Greg Hardy.
• Texas A&M sues the Indianapolis Colts over the use of the term “12th Man.”
• Latest developments in Vijay Singh’s lawsuit against the PGA.
• Blind man sues NBA over its website, claiming it violates the ADA because it is not accessible to blind users.
• U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Cleveland jock tax lawsuit.
• Recapping the latest cheerleader wage lawsuits.