The rise of professional women’s sports leagues, particularly soccer, has underscored the necessity for clubs to focus as much on employment laws and human resources as they do on performance and winning. Law firm Flaster Greenberg PC has initiated a three-part series on the specific topic of parental leave in sports, exploring leave related to…
In a case that further explores the complexities of intellectual property rights, the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois have claimed victory in their fight against Vintage Brand LLC and Sportswear Inc., otherwise known as Prep Sport. The ongoing battle concerns the “Chief Illiniwek” logo that bears historical significance to the University, yet…
California has recently passed a law to establish a public pension fund for mixed martial art professionals. Under the act, the State Athletic Commission within the California Department of Consumer Affairs is required to create a new state-run retirement benefit plan. This plan will be administered for the benefit of qualifying mixed martial artists and…
In September 2020, as a response to the impact of the global pandemic and to address the challenges faced by an already struggling high street, the UK government introduced a significant modification of the Use Classes Order – the creation of the new and wide-ranging Use Class E. This action involved the expansion of permitted…
Tenet Healthcare’s subsidiary, Conifer Revenue Cycle Solutions, along with Insight Global and Adidas America, are allegedly facing three separate class action lawsuits due to purported failure in revealing a wage scale or salary range for job positions. This information is a critical prerequisite according to Washington state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act. These complaints, which…
The U.S. Supreme Court has recently intervened in the ongoing dispute about sports betting in Florida. This has inevitably generated many questions for corporate legal practitioners with interest in tribal law, gaming law, and federal-state relations. On Oct. 12, 2023, the Supreme Court ordered a stay on the District of Columbia Circuit’s ruling in West…
The Wisconsin State Assembly moved to limit transgender youth rights on Thursday, passing three bills that ban gender-affirming care for minors and restrict transgender participation in sports. To transform these propositions into governing law, they require advancement through the State Senate and subsequent approval from Governor Tony Evers. However, Governor Evers has publicly declared his…
The applicability of Title IX in schools extends beyond sports, affecting other areas including dress codes – a point that’s being increasingly discussed among legal experts. A recent opinion piece published on JD Supra addresses the matter in the context of “morality codes” in schools. While the article provides limited information due to its personal-blog…
Welcome to “Three Point Shot”, a newsletter uniquely crafted for professionals in the intersections of sports and law. This is an initiative by the esteemed Sports Law Group at Proskauer bringing to its audience the most recent developments in sports-related legal news, including practical insights and thought pieces enveloped in a convenient package. September 2023’s…
In a recent ruling, United States District Judge J. Paul Oetken denied a motion by the multinational corporation Nike, Inc. (Nike) to disqualify counsel on behalf of their defendant, Lululemon USA Inc. (Lululemon). The ruling was on May 1, 2023, and pertains to an action concerning patents linked to Nike’s Flyknit shoe technology. Nike, a…
In one of the most eagerly anticipated periods in the sporting calendar, the Major League Baseball (MLB) Postseason has set the stage alight, paving the way for the World Series, which will begin on October 27, 2023. Making the most of this seasonal peak, some of the world’s most significant media players are already looking…
In Puerto Rico, two recently enacted sports-related employment laws have made significant alterations to pay and anti-discrimination protections for athletes, as well as extended leave protections. These new laws are of particular importance for athletes who are pregnant and for those representing Puerto Rico in official sports competitions, such as athletes, coaches, and specialized personnel….
For those immersed in the world of sports and entertainment, old habits and routines are continuously disrupted by new partnerships, acquisitions, and tech-inspired breakthroughs. Rapid updates can inadvertently unsettle, such as my recent distribution experiment, which sent mobile alerts nationwide clumsily echoing Bono’s notorious U2 album push several years back. I acknowledge the inadvertent inconvenience…
The landscape of North Carolina’s politics continues to shift and evolve, with the latest developments in October 2023 showing an increasing focus on economic development. The state government’s dedication to reinforcing NC’s status as a thriving hub for tourism, sports, and entertainment is evident in the newly enacted budget. Mayor Allen Joines and Rep. Donny…
In a notable development, the New York State Court of Appeals recently provided new insights on a long-debated subject in the legal world: the assumption of risk doctrine. The case under consideration involved an injured high school baseball player, whose case, the court has affirmed, must proceed to trial. The assumption of risk doctrine, as…
In recent times, a major development in the legal environment of college athletics is taking center stage. A federal judge on September 22, 2023, certified an injunctive relief class of no less than 184,000 college athletes. This certification serves as a significant step forward for the House v. NCAA case. The implications of this case…
One area of business that has shown consistent lucrative returns over the years is the investment in North American sports franchises. Research indicates that had you committed funds to this sector between 1991 and 2022, your returns would be a minimum seven-fold. This financial performance surpasses the S&P 500 over the same time frame, with…
Investing in sports has been a long-standing tradition among high-net-worth individuals and corporations, but recent years have seen a remarkable uptick in professional sports leagues and teams’ value. This growth is evident in multiple record-breaking transactions that have helped redefine the landscape of sports financing. Simultaneously, the era has seen an unprecedented accumulation of capital…
In Episode 161 of the Entertainment Law Update podcast, film and tv lawyer Gordon Firemark and music/trademark lawyer Tamera H. Bennett discussed a wide range of topics. These included a number of significant legal cases as well as new developments in the music industry, recent legislation and the latest news from the writers’ union. One…
New York-based sports private equity firm, Dynasty Equity, has procured a minority stake investment in Premier League football club, Liverpool F.C. The investment, reportedly valued at around £150 million, is said to be geared towards aiding Liverpool’s owner, Fenway, reduce bank debts accrued during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a firm, Dynasty Equity primarily focuses on…
In the world of legal professionals, keeping updated on current events, trends, and developments can make all the difference. The latest episode of the popular podcast “Explainer Things” has recently stirred a buzz in the legal community. Episode 9, which aired recently, caught attention not just for its legal insights, but also for its delightful…
The world of professional sports often intersects with a variety of legal issues, and occasionally we see a story so intrinsically bizarre it is impossible to resist from blogging about it. The scene of this recent event was none other than Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where an emotional support alligator named Wally was barred…
The distinction between a “tough coach” and a “hostile work environment” becomes increasingly pertinent as sports progressively professionalize, necessitating a precise understanding for clubs and sporting organizations around the globe. This issue predominates not only in the professional arena but also at the college level, where coaches often garner reputations and build legacy. The nature…
In an unexpected turn of events, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently flagged what can be classified as a novel form of unsportsmanlike conduct. According to a notice it sent to five tax preparers, the commission expressed its intent to pursue civil penalties if these entities continue to utilize consumers’ data for motives beyond…
The post-#MeToo era has seen a significant rise in sexual misconduct and assault cases made public, growing with each passing year. The concerning trend seems to be organizationally and geographically indiscriminate. Sports institutions worldwide, including football clubs, governing bodies, and federations, are confronting a surge of such cases. Professional football, particularly, has come under the…