Sports Law Links

Each week The Sports Esquires keep track of the sports law headlines so you don’t have to.  This week the Hernandez trial goes to the jury, the Sharper plea deal faces scrutiny, and the Washington Nationals face a religious discrimination suit.

NFL

• Is the Darren Sharper plea deal legal under Louisiana law? More details on the plea deal.  How the police failed to stop Sharper’s rape spree.
• Could Aaron Hernandez beat his murder charge? Michael McCann on the defense’s last day of testimony and closing arguments.  Hernandez’s attorney admitted Hernandez witnessed the murder.  Michelle Smith recaps the trial.  Why the defense took so little time.
• Adrian Peterson is unlikely to be suspended upon reinstatement. Peterson met with Roger Goodell to discuss his reinstatement.
• The SEC has accused former NFL player Will Allen of operating a $31 million Ponzi scheme.

MLB

• Three former ushers have sued the Washington Nationals alleging religious discrimination. Here’s the full complaint.  Nathaniel Grow takes a look at the suit.
• Kris Bryant, the players’ union, and a lesson for labor.
• MLB and MLBPA agree to prohibit players from participating in daily fantasy games.

Best of the Rest

• Chris Copeland, Pero Antic, and Thabo Sefolosha involved in a nightclub fight and stabbing. The NBPA is probing police tactics related to Sefolosha’s arrest.
• An update on the caddies’ lawsuit against the PGA Tour.
• From Craig Dickson, an analysis of video technology in sports adjudication: Part 1 and Part 2.
• Kevin Carpenter on the delay in addressing match-fixing.
• The legal implications of wearable technology and data collection in sports.
• Tax law and sports – how it affects athletes.
• New sports law publication: Athletics Investigation Handbook: A guide for institutions and involved parties during the NCAA enforcement process by Michael Buckner.