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 Johnny Manziel, Dennis Wideman, Maria Sharapova, and a new NCAA transfer lawsuit.

NFL

• John Sigety looks at the referral of Johnny Manziel’s case to a grand jury and his potential suspension from the NFL.
• Lisa Starr transcribed the Deflategate appeal hearing transcript. You can purchase a copy from her company’s website.  Dan Wallach tweeted out the transcript last week, and I provided analysis on Twitter.  Michael McCann says not to write off Tom Brady yet. Sally Jenkins says the NFL deflated the truth in its Second Circuit appeal hearing.
• The NFL has fined the Chiefs and stripped two draft picks for violating tampering rules related to Jeremy Maclin.
• NFLPA tells agents to reject inappropriate language in Rams contracts.
• Tony Iliakostas says that Steelers receiver Martavis Bryant’s chances of fighting his suspension look grim.
• Judge rules that NFL’s pension plan must pay disability benefits for former player’s brain injury.
• Mike Florio: would the NFL ever tie compensation to cap percentage?

NHL

• Arbitrator cuts Dennis Wideman’s suspension to ten games. Sean Dotson explains why it wasn’t a complete loss for the NHL.  Here’s the arbitrator’s decision.
• Will the NHL encounter problems with attempting to change the draft age?

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• New Virginia DFS law divides fantasy operators.
• Daily fantasy sports cope with uncertain future.
• New Jersey lawmaker introduces bill to regulate and tax DFS.
• Podcast: New Jersey doubles down on sports betting.
• John Brennan recaps Adam Silver’s SXSW discussion on legalizing sports betting.

NCAA

• Sean Dotson explains the new NCAA lawsuit challenging transfer rules and scholarship limits. Here is the full complaint.
• Foreign trade in college basketball: is there a link between booking tours and landing recruits?

Soccer

• U.S. authorities charged another defendant in FIFA corruption probe. The Swiss and French conducted a raid on FIFA’s Paris office.
• Analyzing FIFPro’s challenge to FIFA’s transfer system.

Tennis

• Maria Sharapova admits taking banned substance. Mathew Jessep explains the situation and the consequences.  Cari Grieb looks at the impact on gender pay equity.

Best of the Rest

• MLB and MLBPA start CBA negotiations with strong turnout from players.
• Dan Werly breaks down the Flash Seats ticketing lawsuit against the Timberwolves.
• Pop Warner settles wrongful death lawsuit: could it pave the way for more suits?
• Should Olympians pay taxes on their medals?
• Woman injured by foul ball sues the Pirates and MLB.
• CFL accused of violating minimum wage laws.
• Law in Sport has a helpful list of fifty articles and podcasts on sports doping issues.