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 a flurry of Deflategate amicus briefs and the Pepper Hamilton report on Baylor’s sexual assault issues.

NFL

• A flurry of amicus briefs have been filed in Deflategate. Here are the briefs from the physics and engineering professors, the Patriots, the AFL-CIO, attorney Kenneth Feinberg , and the labor law and industrial relations professors.  Legal experts weigh in on what the briefs could mean.  Michael McCann’s analysis.  Thomas Baker on why Brady remains an underdog.  Zach Zagger interviews NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith about Deflategate.
• The Third Circuit denied a petition for rehearing in the concussion settlement litigation.
• A new lawsuit alleges the Chicago Bears’ practice field uses stolen technology.
• Thousands of NFL players’ medical records stolen from Redskins trainer.
• Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan will apply for reinstatement after drug suspension.

NCAA

• Pepper Hamilton released its report on Baylor’s handling of sexual assault claims against football players. Sean Dotson explains why Baylor will likely face NCAA scrutiny.  Here are the full findings of fact and Pepper Hamilton’s recommendations.   Baylor hires law firm in anticipation of NCAA action.  Police records detail more violence allegations against Baylor football players.
• Life after Baylor: Mississippi State and Tennessee have tough decisions to make.
• Ole Miss admits violations and self-imposes reduction in football scholarships among other punishments.
• The SEC is considering expanding the “serious misconduct” transfer ban.
• Big 12 considers rule change involving walk-ons who transfer.
• Pac-12 proposes time limit and day off regulation changes.

Soccer

• Judge grants summary judgment in favor of U.S. Soccer against the U.S. Women’s National Team. Here’s the order.
• Swiss authorities have raided FIFA headquarters in reference to the Blatter and Valcke investigations. Blatter and deputies apparently arranged huge payouts after indictments.

NHL

• The Minnesota Wild have sued DraftOps for breaching a sponsorship agreement. Here’s the complaint, the petition for removal, and DraftOps’ motion to dismiss.
• Ryan Lake discusses the NHL draft system.

MLB

• Nathaniel Grow discusses the legal implications of biometric data in baseball.
• More from Grow on MLB and the new overtime pay rules.

Best of the Rest

• The lawsuit over Tom Benson’s non-voting shares of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans in a family trust will go to trial without a sealed record.
• Dustin Gouker discusses potential DFS legal issues in Canada.
• Politics in sport: how FIFA, UEFA, and IOC regulate athletes’ political statements.
• Vijay Singh accuses PGA Tour of “absurd” and “unfair” treatment in deer antler spray case.
• Here’s the latest volume of the Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law.