A jury in Manhattan federal court has found Live Nation Entertainment and its ticketing subsidiary, Ticketmaster, guilty of monopolizing the live music industry and inflating ticket prices. This verdict marks a significant win for the coalition of 34 state attorneys general who pursued the case after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement…
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) recently rejected Nike’s application to trademark the logo associated with Bronny James, the son of NBA star LeBron James and a player for the Los Angeles Lakers. This decision highlights ongoing challenges in trademark law, particularly as companies seek to protect intellectual property connected to high-profile individuals…
TPG, a prominent alternative asset manager, has announced a strategic acquisition of Learfield, a principal player in college sports media and technology. This acquisition, which was guided by three major law firms, underscores TPG’s continued investment in the lucrative sports rights industry. According to details outlined in a recent report, the transaction leverages Learfield’s established…
As various appeals courts across the United States prepare to deliberate on the regulation of state prediction markets, the legal landscape remains complex and uncertain. Central to these cases is the determination of whether the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) holds exclusive jurisdiction over prediction markets that deal with sports-related events. These markets enable traders…
In a legal maneuver illustrating the competitive dynamics of the sports technology industry, Genius Sports Ltd. has requested that a Texas federal court compel Panda Interactive to disclose a settlement agreement reached in a previous patent lawsuit. This request is rooted in Genius Sports’ ongoing effort to obtain discovery materials that may be crucial in…
California’s high school sports landscape is once again embroiled in legal proceedings over student-athletes’ rights to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The state’s high school sports governing body recently asserted in a federal court that the plaintiffs, a group of student-athletes, have not adequately demonstrated that the existing NIL ban stifles competition…
Oak View Group has appointed a new leader for its legal team, tapping Michelle Remington, who previously held the position of Chief Legal Officer at Remington Hospitality. Her appointment marks a significant moment for Oak View, as the company continues to expand its operations across the sports and entertainment sectors. Remington’s expertise in hospitality and…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the NCAA’s five-year eligibility rule, effectively ending a University of Nevada baseball player’s sixth season on the field. This decision overturns a previous district court ruling that had allowed the athlete to participate in the current season. The player’s legal attempt to extend his athletic career beyond…
Joe Gibbs Racing LLC, a prominent name in the NASCAR field, finds itself embroiled in a legal battle characterized by a former director as a “desperate” act. The racing company recently pursued subpoenas for cellphone providers to retrieve deleted text messages, which it believes might contain evidence of stolen trade secrets. The former competition director…
In the pursuit of professional excellence, attorneys often find themselves exploring unconventional avenues for personal and career development. Among such paths, alpine skiing has been highlighted as a transformative endeavor. The dynamic interplay of risk, strategy, and focus inherent in skiing provides valuable skills that are directly applicable to high-stakes legal practice. Alpine skiing demands…
Alpine skiing isn’t just about descending snowy peaks; for many, it’s a path to professional growth and strategic thinking, even for those in the legal field. Engaging with this challenging sport can provide unique insights and skills that are directly applicable in the legal profession. One attorney shared how the discipline of skiing demands acute…
The rapidly evolving landscape of design defect case law finds itself tested as lawsuits against DraftKings and FanDuel proceed. These cases focus on whether daily fantasy sports (DFS) platforms should be held accountable for the alleged addictive nature and financial losses attributed to their design. The crux of the argument presents a challenge for courts…
FanDuel’s former Chief Legal Officer, Christian Genetski, has taken up a new role at fintech company Airwallex. This move marks an intriguing transition from the bustling world of legal counsel in the online sports betting industry to a burgeoning player in the global financial technology sphere. Genetski, who played a pivotal role during his tenure…
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court to reinstate its five-year eligibility rule that was recently challenged, permitting a college baseball player to continue playing beyond the typically enforced timeframe. This appeal highlights an ongoing legal tangle concerning the antitrust dimensions of college sports regulations. Law360 reports that the…
In a significant move within the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, a Maryland-based manufacturer has raised allegations against major competitors like Adidas and Franklin, claiming they have infringed on its patents. The complaint was filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), aiming to halt the importation of paddles that allegedly violate two specific patents…
The U.S. Department of Education has announced a significant policy shift, rescinding agreements that had extended federal protections under Title IX to transgender and gay students, impacting various school districts and institutions including Taft College. This move undoes measures taken under the Obama and Biden administrations, which interpreted Title IX to include gender identity and…
FanDuel’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer (CLCO), Christian Genetski, recently announced his departure from the sports betting giant after a significant tenure of seven years. Reflecting on his time at the company, Genetski expressed feelings of gratitude and pride, underscoring the transformative changes he witnessed and contributed to during his leadership. His exit marks the…
Hogan Lovells, a prominent player in the legal domain, has recently found its Sports Group under unexpected strain due to its own accomplishments. The group’s industry success has inadvertently drawn the attention of rival law firms eager to capitalize on its achievements. This development underscores the competitive nature of the legal market, where firms continuously…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…