In a significant development within the world of sports merchandising and intellectual property law, LIV Golf Inc. has entered mediation with Stinger Tees over a contested trademark. The mediation, mandated by a Florida federal court, will be overseen by a retired state circuit court judge. This step aims to address the alleged trademark infringement claims…
The San Francisco Giants, a cornerstone team in Major League Baseball, have taken a strategic step in expanding their business focus beyond the baseball diamond by appointing a legal expert to spearhead their real estate ventures. This move underscores the growing importance of diversified business strategies among professional sports franchises. The Giants have appointed Robert…
In a notable resolution within the arena of sports governance, USA Football and USA Flag have reached an agreement to settle a pair of trademark lawsuits. These cases involved allegations of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false representations, all revolving around the authority to govern flag football in the United States. This dispute marks a…
Hong Kong authorities have intensified measures against overseas-based pro-democracy activists, cancelling passports and implementing financial bans. This development comes under the 2024 Article 23 national security legislation, a move that underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on dissent. On Monday, actions were taken against 16 activists associated with the Hong Kong Parliament, a group…
In a strategic move, former JC Penney General Counsel, Scott Laverty, has joined Academy Sports + Outdoors as the new Chief Legal Officer. Laverty, who has built a formidable reputation in legal circles, brings his extensive experience to a prominent player in the sporting goods sector. This transition marks a significant milestone for Academy Sports,…
The recent conclusion of a name, image, and likeness (NIL) lawsuit in Ohio does not influence a similar legal challenge in North Carolina, former collegiate basketball players have asserted in the North Carolina Business Court. The players emphasize that the distinct legal frameworks and specifics of the cases prevent the Ohio ruling from having a…
The Utah Mammoth, the National Hockey League’s newest franchise, has initiated legal action against a bag manufacturer with a similar name to resolve a trademark dispute. The team contends that the respective trademarks are sufficiently distinct to prevent consumer confusion. After relocating from Arizona in April 2024, the franchise embarked on a comprehensive rebranding process….
A renewed legal battle is unfolding in the antitrust arena involving NASCAR. This case delves into allegations and regulatory scrutiny over NASCAR’s competitive practices and market dominance. The impending rematch draws attention as legal professionals gear up to address critical antitrust issues and potential impacts on the motorsports industry. The antitrust claims center on accusations…
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has announced the promotion of its top legal officer to chief legal officer, a strategic move made only weeks after the organization reached a significant settlement in a high-profile legal case. This decision highlights the NCAA’s ongoing efforts to navigate complex legal terrains that continue to shape collegiate athletics….
The newly established College Sports Commission, tasked with overseeing the significant $2.8 billion House v. NCAA class action settlement, recently announced guidelines aimed at clarifying student-athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. This decision allows NIL collectives and other school-affiliated entities to engage in agreements with athletes, provided these transactions fulfill a “valid business purpose.”…
The lawsuit Kessler v. Yates is a significant legal battle, highlighting the evolving dynamics in the business of sports through the lens of antitrust law. This case brings together two of the foremost figures in sports law in a debate over the legal foundations of player compensation and league operations, offering critical insights for corporations…
The National Football League (NFL) is vigorously challenging an attorney’s attempts to disrupt its licensing framework, a move that the league characterizes as both “frivolous” and a tactic to extend unwarranted legal proceedings. After the attorney filed for sanctions against the NFL, alleging that its licensing system for merchandise lacks legitimacy, the NFL’s response in…
The regulatory landscape for college sports has taken another significant step with the College Sports Commission’s recent updates on name, image, and likeness (NIL) transactions. This follows the extensive $2.8 billion House v. NCAA class action settlement, a pivotal moment in college athletics. The new guidance clears a path for NIL collectives and other entities…
The landscape of college sports has been thrust into a period of uncertainty following President Donald Trump’s executive order urging Congress to enact regulatory measures concerning Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes. Democratic lawmakers in New York and sports law practitioners are closely watching Congress, as these proposed regulations could significantly alter…
Disney has reached a settlement in a copyright lawsuit initiated by the Portland Pickles, an Oregon-based summer league baseball team known for its unique brand and loyal fanbase. The conflict arose over Disney’s portrayal of a fictional softball team called the Pickles in one of its animated series, which the Portland team claimed infringed on…
Brown University has recently resolved a significant dispute with the administration of former President Donald Trump, culminating in the restoration of millions in federal grants. The settlement addresses allegations regarding the university’s treatment of Jewish students and its consideration of race in its admissions policy. The full terms of the deal have been disclosed on…
The debate over whether college athletes should be recognized as employees has intensified following a memo from the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) general counsel suggesting they could be considered workers under federal law. However, a significant hurdle emerged with a Trump-era executive order that could potentially block such recognition. This executive order, still in…
Nikki Blue, a former interim head coach for the Phoenix Mercury, has initiated legal proceedings against the team, alleging racial and gender discrimination, unequal pay, and retaliatory termination. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, contends that Blue, who is Black, was systematically marginalized and ultimately dismissed after voicing…
On June 6, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken of the Northern District of California approved a significant $2.78 billion class action settlement involving the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This settlement marks a notable shift in how college athletes might engage in complex revenue sharing arrangements with their respective institutions. An integral part of this…
Madison Square Garden is pursuing $1.5 million in attorney fees from Charles Oakley, a former New York Knicks player. This move stems from Oakley’s alleged actions to destroy text messages relevant to his protracted legal battle against the iconic arena involving assault and battery allegations. The arena’s legal representatives detail the extensive efforts they made…
Engaging in extracurricular activities often enhances professional skills in unexpected ways. Many attorneys have discovered that playing soccer can sharpen their legal acumen, offering vital skills useful in both the boardroom and the courtroom. The fast-paced nature of soccer requires rapid decision-making, strategic thinking, and clear communication—skills that are equally valuable in legal practice. The…
An intriguing legal battle has emerged as a visual artist, known for crafting intricate sculptures from deflated basketballs, has filed a copyright lawsuit against the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The lawsuit, which was lodged in Michigan federal court, accuses the team of plagiarizing his unique artistic arrangements for a series of social media campaigns without…
A Mexican media company has urged a California federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Fox Cable Network Services LLC concerning soccer broadcasting rights, arguing that the case lacks substantial merit and that ongoing litigation in Mexico should take precedence. The dispute centers on the broadcasting rights for the home matches of Liga MX…
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has recently appointed two seasoned legal experts to spearhead its legal strategy as it navigates a pivotal phase in its evolution. This move comes amid widespread changes in college athletics, including ongoing discussions about athlete compensation and a shifting regulatory landscape. Stefan Johnson and Johanna Harman, both with extensive…
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has appointed Scott Bearby as its permanent Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs, a role he had been serving in an interim capacity since May 2021. Bearby, who has been with the NCAA for over two decades, now officially oversees the organization’s legal operations. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/as-march-madness-begins-ncaa-mints-new-legal-affairs-chief?utm_source=openai)) Bearby stepped into the…