Sports

Simpson Thacher Expands Sports Practice with Strategic Partner Hires to Capture Growing Market Opportunities

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has strategically expanded its sports practice with the acquisition of three seasoned partners, aiming to solidify its presence in the complex landscape of sports-related transactions. This move underscores the heightened focus on lucrative opportunities within the sports sector, which has seen increased investment and engagement from private equity firms and…

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Federal Court Upholds Exclusive CFTC Jurisdiction Over New Jersey in Sports Bet Regulation

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a pivotal decision for the intersection of federal and state regulation, the US Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit has determined that New Jersey cannot impose state laws on sports bets placed on prediction markets. This decision reinforces the exclusive jurisdiction of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) over designated contract markets…

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3rd Circuit Court Ruling Favors Kalshi Inc., Clarifies CFTC Jurisdiction Over Sports Contracts in New Jersey

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a landmark ruling in favor of Kalshi Inc., effectively exempting its sports contracts from New Jersey’s stringent gambling laws. In a 2-1 decision, the court affirmed that Kalshi’s event contracts align with the Commodity Exchange Act’s definition of “swaps,” and as such, fall under the jurisdiction of…

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Journalist Harassment Highlights Tensions Over Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Proposal

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Amid growing tensions in Zimbabwe, journalists faced harassment during a public hearing in Harare discussing a controversial bill to amend the constitution. The proposed legislation, known as the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, seeks to extend the presidential term limit from five to seven years. Additionally, it alters the process for electing the…

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Atlanta Braves Legal Officer Sees Compensation Surge Amid Evolving Sports Industry Demands

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In 2025, the chief legal officer of the Atlanta Braves received a substantial boost in compensation, leading to discussions within legal circles. The officer, whose compensation surged to nearly $4.5 million, saw an increase of $2.6 million compared to the previous year, a development attracting considerable attention among peers in the corporate legal sphere. This…

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Atlanta Braves’ Legal Chief Joins Elite Sports Executive Ranks with Compensation Surge

Pieter Gunst02 mins

In 2025, Gregory J. Heller, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary of Atlanta Braves Holdings Inc., saw his total compensation more than double compared to the previous year. The company’s proxy statement revealed that Heller’s earnings exceeded $1.8 million, a significant increase from his 2024 compensation. ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/health-law-and-business/atlanta-braves-top-lawyers-pay-rises-to-elite-in-team-sports?utm_source=openai)) This substantial rise in compensation aligns…

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Buffalo Bills Appoint Rising Star Toni Cannady as New General Counsel Amidst Stadium Project Completion

Pieter Gunst02 mins

The Buffalo Bills have recently appointed Toni Cannady as their new General Counsel, marking a significant step in her rapidly progressing career. Cannady, who has been described by colleagues as an “incredible resource,” played a pivotal role in the legal efforts surrounding the team’s new stadium project. This $2.2 billion state-of-the-art facility, which is set…

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DraftKings and FanDuel Face Patent Infringement Lawsuits Over Geolocation Technology

Pieter Gunst03 mins

DraftKings Inc. and FanDuel Inc., two prominent players in the online gambling and sports betting industry, are facing legal challenges as they have been accused of patent infringement. Interactive Games filed lawsuits in federal courts in Massachusetts and New Jersey, alleging that both companies have infringed on patents designed to confirm the identity and location…

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Legal Tech’s Strategic Play: How Industry Leaders Are Scoring Big in Sports Sponsorships

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a distinct departure from traditional sponsorship strategies, 8am, formerly known as AffiniPay and the parent company of LawPay, MyCase, CasePeer, and DocketWise, announced a partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, positioning itself as the official professional services partner of the NFL team. The partnership grants 8am the naming rights to a premium lounge at…

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Supreme Court Urged to Review New York Gun Law as Republican Lawmakers Push Back on Manufacturer Liability

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a significant move that highlights ongoing tensions over gun control, more than 70 Republican lawmakers from the U.S. Congress have formally requested that the Supreme Court review a New York statute allowing for legal action against gun manufacturers whose products are deemed to cause public harm. This appeal follows a decision by the appellate…

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NFL’s Rooney Rule Faces Legal Threat in Florida: A Test of Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The National Football League (NFL) finds itself entangled in a legal and ethical challenge as it seeks to uphold the Rooney Rule, which mandates interviewing diverse candidates for coaching and executive roles. This obligation has taken on renewed urgency due to Florida’s recent legal stance that threatens to undermine these efforts. According to Bloomberg Law,…

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Nicklaus Companies Bankruptcy Ruling Highlights Need for Clear NIL Rights Management

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The recent ruling involving Nicklaus Companies has cast a spotlight on the intersection of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights within bankruptcy proceedings. This case underscores the complexities of intellectual property (IP) management when a company faces financial distress. Legal professionals are now more acutely aware of the potential implications for athletes and celebrities whose…

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South Dakota Enacts Law Requiring Proof of Citizenship for New Voter Registration in State Elections

Pieter Gunst03 mins

South Dakota’s recent legislative change, signed into law by Governor Larry Rhoden, now requires new voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in state elections. This new mandate, encapsulated in Senate Bill 175, focuses solely on state elections and impacts only those registering anew. Current registered voters in South Dakota are…

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NCAA Sues DraftKings Over Trademark Infringement in Sports Betting Dispute

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has recently taken a significant step in its ongoing battle against sports betting by filing a trademark infringement lawsuit against DraftKings. The focal point of this legal confrontation is the use of terms like “March Madness,” which the NCAA claims infringes on its intellectual property rights. This move highlights…

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Exploring Legal Protections: How Decades-Old Precedent May Shield Prediction Markets from Regulatory Scrutiny

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal landscape surrounding prediction markets may face significant changes, influenced by precedents set decades ago. A recent analysis has highlighted that the enforcement actions against these markets may be significantly restricted by the seminal decision in Commodity Futures Trading Commission v. Zelener. This 2004 decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals is pivotal…

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Indiana Federal Court Rejects NCAA’s Trademark Restraining Order Against DraftKings: Implications for Sports Betting Promotions

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent decision, an Indiana federal judge denied the NCAA’s request for a temporary restraining order against DraftKings Inc., which aimed to prevent the sports gambling company from using trademarked terms such as “March Madness” in its promotional materials for the college basketball tournament. Despite the judge’s conclusion that the NCAA is likely to…

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Joe Gibbs Racing Sues Spire Motorsports Over Alleged Data Breach in NASCAR Dispute

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Joe Gibbs Racing LLC has taken legal action to prevent Spire Motorsports from utilizing confidential race data that it claims was illicitly obtained by a former competition director. The motion, filed on Thursday, seeks to block Spire Motorsports amidst allegations of unauthorized access to sensitive strategic information, crucial in the highly competitive NASCAR environment. Meanwhile,…

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AI-Powered Recruitment: How Akerman LLP is Revolutionizing Legal Hiring Practices

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Akerman LLP is pioneering its recruitment strategy by testing a proprietary artificial intelligence tool aimed at enhancing its lateral hiring process. This innovative approach seeks to evaluate potential hires, particularly partners, by analyzing their likelihood of success within the firm. This development signals a growing trend among law firms to integrate data analytics and AI…

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Supreme Court Precedent Shapes Debate on Voter ID Requirements Amid New Legislation

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The Supreme Court’s stance on voter identification requirements, particularly in the context of recent legislative developments, is a focal point for many legal professionals. The most prominent Supreme Court precedent in this area is the 2008 decision in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, where the Court examined an Indiana statute mandating voter ID. The…

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NCAA Sues DraftKings Over Alleged Trademark Infringement of “March Madness”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has filed a lawsuit in an Indiana federal court against DraftKings Inc., a prominent sports gambling company, alleging the infringement of trademarks associated with the “March Madness” basketball tournament. The NCAA claims that DraftKings has unlawfully used its protected marks without authorization. This move represents a significant legal confrontation…

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WHO Condemns Attack on Sudan Hospital Amid Intensifying Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The World Health Organization (WHO) has denounced a devastating attack on Al Deain Teaching Hospital in Sudan, which resulted in significant casualties. On March 20, the assault claimed the lives of over 64 people, including 13 children, healthcare workers, and patients. Eighty-nine individuals were injured, while critical damage to the hospital’s pediatric, maternity, and emergency…

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Frank Thomas Lawsuit Against White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics May Reshape Sports Merchandising Rights

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a legal confrontation that intertwines sports, commerce, and intellectual property rights, former Chicago White Sox icon Frank Thomas has initiated a lawsuit against the team, Nike, and Fanatics. Filed in the Illinois state court, the suit alleges unauthorized sales of jerseys featuring Thomas’s name and number, executed without his permission or compensation. This litigation…

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Clear Secure Inc. Seeks New Legal Chief as Jerry De Graff Steps Down Amid Biometric Expansion

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The legal community is closely watching developments at Clear Secure Inc. as the company’s General Counsel, Jerome “Jerry” De Graff, prepares to step down in April. De Graff, who took the position with the technology-and-security company in 2020, will maintain his $500,000 annual salary for another twelve months following his departure, providing a seamless transition…

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FIFA Faces Scrutiny Over Inaction on Israeli Clubs in Occupied Palestinian Territories Amid Legal Concerns

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Amnesty International recently expressed significant concern over FIFA’s decision to allow Israeli football clubs based in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) to continue their participation without sanctions. This issue arises amid mounting scrutiny over the legality of Israeli settlements, which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared illegal. In July 2024, the ICJ issued…

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Legal Battles Off the Court: How Judiciary Decisions Shape March Madness and College Athletics

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Every March, college basketball takes center stage as the NCAA March Madness tournament captivates millions of fans. However, the spectacle often extends beyond the court, deep into legal battles that define the business side of college athletics. This year, key legal developments have once again highlighted the significant role the judiciary plays in shaping the…

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