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 Deflategate appeal hearing, Aroldis Chapman’s suspension, and more.

MLB

• Aroldis Chapman accepts thirty-game suspension from MLB. Justin Fielkow explains what it means for Jose Reyes and Yasiel Puig.  Nathaniel Grow says it sets an important precedent.  Tony Iliakostas discusses the repercussions.
• Reports say that Yasiel Puig is not expected to be suspended for bar incident with his sister.
• Jenrry Mejia claims MLB orchestrated his lifetime ban.
• MLB to let Cuban players sign directly with teams.
• Blue Jays minor league pitcher suspended fifty games for failing to take drug test.
• Samuel Mann looks at the players’ share of baseball’s wealth.

NFL

• Michael McCann provides a detailed recap of the Deflategate appeal hearing. Stephanie Stradley’s thoughts on the hearing.  Polling the experts: who will win the Deflategate appeal?  Video: Gabe Feldman discussed the hearing on NFL Network.  Tony Iliakostas explains why he thinks the NFL will prevail over Tom Brady.
• Judge enters partial summary judgment for NFL in Romo fantasy football case.
• Here’s the decision vacating Drew Rosenhaus’s arbitration award against DeSean Jackson.
• Terrell Suggs arrested at Arizona bar for driving with a suspended license.

NBA

• Dan Werly: how to fix the NBA’s one and done rule.
• Part-owner of Oklahoma City Thunder dies in car crash the day after being indicted on federal bid-rigging charges. What should sports leagues do when a team owner is indicted?
• New class action lawsuit filed against the Minnesota Timberwolves over “Flash Seats” electronic ticketing system.

NCAA

• UL Lafayette to vacate 2013 Sun Belt title and 22 wins due to NCAA violations.
• Steve Sarkisian’s lawsuit against USC is headed for arbitration.
• NCAA seeks extension to petition the Supreme Court in O’Bannon case.

Best of the Rest

• Texas attorney general announces settlement with FanDuel.
• George attorney general says DFS is illegal gambling.
• Robert Raiola explains why tax season is important for professional athletes.
• IOC to remove itself from Rio doping cases and rely on independent arbitrators.
• New sponsorship rules alter Olympic marketing playbook.
• Oscar Pistorius will be sentenced for murder after his appeal is dismissed.