Sports Law Links

Each week The Sports Esquires keep track of the sports law headlines so you don’t have to.  It’s March Madness and that means plenty of NCAA news, even in sports law.

NCAA

• Justin Fielkow explains the NCAA’s trademark fight with the Big Ten over March Madness.
• Spyros Arsenis: how to revamp the NCAA’s antiquated system.
• In Too Deppe: Sean Dotson explains how an antitrust suit against the NCAA fell flat.
• How two big-name plaintiffs lawyers became rivals over NCAA concussion cases.
• Judge denies Baylor’s motion to dismiss Title IX lawsuit.
• Former Penn State officials plead guilty to charges in Sandusky case.
• Efforts to legalize March Madness brackets continues in Pennsylvania. Podcast: the Conduct Detrimental crew examine the legality of office bracket pools.
• Michigan State suspended three football players and a staffer in sex assault probe.
• NCAA modifies its double-jeopardy rule in soccer.
• With amateurism under attack, college sports organizations are ramping up lobbying efforts.

NFL

• After Deflategate: interview with Judge Berman on one of his biggest cases and its aftermath.
• Court filings reveal NFL’s abuse of painkillers and other drugs.
• Are EA’s visual representations in Madden generic enough to avoid liability in a publicity claim?
• Settlement reached in Maurkice Pouncey nightclub civil suit.
• Darren Sharper appeals his federal guilty plea, arguing he was coerced and his sentence was miscalculated.
• Arbitrator upholds suspension of NFLPA contract advisor Brian Brundage.

Sports Gambling and Fantasy Sports

• Daniel Wallach looks at the odds of a West Virginia legal challenge to the federal sports betting ban: Part 1 and Part 2.
• Marc Edelman: Regulating fantasy sports – a practical guide to state gambling laws and a future framework.
• Ryan Rodenberg explains how new solicitor general Noel Francisco could affect sports betting.
• Dustin Gouker reviews Dueling with Kings: “the best thing you’ll read about Daily Fantasy Sports.”
• Mississippi governor signs new fantasy sports law into effect.

NBA

• Ramona Shelburne takes you inside the Buss family drama. Michael McCann discusses the legal and business aspects of the complicated power struggle over the Lakers.
• Basketball agent Dan Fegan accused of poisoning employer’s business.
• Michael McCann explains how Ty Lawson’s court hearing could affect his career.

MLB

• Jury convicts sports agent and baseball trainer for smuggling Cuban baseball players to the United States.
• Here’s the full state investigative report on the José Fernandez boat crash.
• Aaron Benz: is the “baseball rule” on fan liability fair or foul?
• José Reyes sued for failure to pay child support.

Best of the Rest

• Podcast: Justin Fielkow discusses sports ticketing laws on the Conduct Detrimental Podcast.
• The latest edition of the Journal of Legal Aspects in Sports is out, and you can read it here.
• Court of Arbitration for Sport recognizes compatibility of FIFA TPO ban with EU law.
• Judge confirms arbitrator’s decision to reduce Dennis Wideman’s suspension. Here’s the full decision.
• States are trying to limit workers’ compensation benefits for athletes.
• Russian doping investigator Richard McLaren defends his report against critics.