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…
In a delightful mix of sports and entertainment, Arrowhead Stadium has recently been in the limelight with an event that defies the ordinary. Renowned singer Taylor Swift was spotted cheering for her rumored beau, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The game does not only recapitulate as a win for the Chiefs, thanks to…
The corporate sports world is in a stir, with the recent announcement of a proposed merger between football leagues XFL and USFL. Unsurprisingly, some notable Biglaw firms have begun to play indispensable roles in the proceedings. Specific details around the representation of each league by their respective law firms remain unconfirmed, however. The XFL, owned…
In this rapidly evolving world of entertainment and sports, there’s always a host of legal aspects to contend with. For legal professionals working in these industries, it is pertinent to stay informed of the latest updates and trends. Accordingly, the latest issue of “The Pitch” from September 2023, comes packed with essential updates that would…
Across the nation, independent schools are making significant strides in fostering greater equity, understanding, and inclusivity among their student body, particularly across the gender spectrum, as seen here. This advancement, nevertheless, faces a striking contradiction in the legislative efforts at the state and federal levels. Regrettably, these legislative movements seem to be moving in stark…
In a significant recent decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit addressed a question of first impression regarding the realm of prior art relevant to design patent infringement analysis. The court concluded that to be considered suitable as comparison prior art, an existing design must be applied to the article of manufacture…
In a recent ruling, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has denied tax-exempt status to organizations formed to provide opportunities for student athletes to monetize their “name, image and likeness,” commonly referred to as “NIL”. This decision shakes up the fledgling industry built around NIL rights, the financial interests of which have gained growing attention in…
Joe Montana, the football legend, finds himself in the middle of a heated lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco. The lawsuit complexities do not only involve the high-profile plaintiff but an array of property damage issues that most homeowners would prefer not having to navigate. Given that Montana’s suit includes factors such…
The Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) is raising eyebrows within the fantasy sports industry. In a significant move, the FGCC has issued cease-and-desist letters to three online fantasy sports operators. This represents the FGCC’s maiden action against the online fantasy sports industry in Florida, but it is part and parcel of a rising trend observed…
The economic aftermath of the 2007-2008 financial crisis gave rise to cryptocurrency, a new form of digital asset that significantly revolutionized the financial landscape. Almost one and a half decades since the publication of Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin whitepaper, cryptocurrencies, despite being just data bytes on a blockchain backed by no physical entity or institution, have…
The ongoing Americanization of London’s legal industry may be reaching its peak, as evidence suggests U.S. law firms may no longer experience the growth in the region they once did. This trendnote, rooted in the historical allure of London, calls to mind the city’s habit of attracting the world’s best in multiple disciplines. Often a…