A cohort of former student-athletes from North Carolina State University, known as the “Cardiac Pack,” is petitioning the North Carolina Supreme Court to reinstate their lawsuit against the NCAA over the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This legal action targets the exploitation of game footage from the early 1980s, a time when…
In an unfolding legal battle, former University of Utah running back Devin Green has filed a lawsuit against the institution, asserting that his scholarship was unjustly revoked due to discriminatory perceptions surrounding his diabetes. Green claims his midyear dismissal was motivated by “fear, stereotypes and misconceptions about diabetes,” which ultimately forced his withdrawal from the…
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court engaged with a critical issue related to gender and language during its hearings on two high-profile cases: Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. These cases involved the constitutional analysis of laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender women and girls from participating in female sports…
In a significant development within the sports licensing landscape, brand manager Iconix International has positioned itself as a key player by submitting a $50 million baseline bid for the licensing rights associated with golf legend Jack Nicklaus’ iconic name. This bid sets the stage for a Chapter 11 auction process, as communicated to a Delaware…
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Director John Squires recently emphasized the role of trademarks as a crucial defense against the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes. In a webinar held on Wednesday, Squires highlighted how trademarks can safeguard individuals’ name, image, and likeness rights, illustrating his points with various pop culture references and sports metaphors. The…
WilmerHale, a prominent international law firm, has strategically expanded its presence in California by recruiting a seasoned sports lawyer from Arnold & Porter. This move signals WilmerHale’s commitment to bolstering its capabilities in sports law, an area with increasing demand for specialized legal expertise. This recruitment highlights the growing trend of law firms expanding their…
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has expanded its litigation team by appointing Tamerlin “Tammy” Godley as a partner in its Los Angeles office. Godley, previously with Paul Hastings LLP, will chair Willkie’s Entertainment Litigation Practice Group. She brings extensive experience representing studios, networks, and Fortune 500 companies in complex business disputes and sensitive internal investigations….
Recent Supreme Court oral arguments in the cases of Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J have brought to light the complex interplay between statutory interpretation and scientific evidence in the realm of equal protection. The crux of these cases involves assessing the legality of laws prohibiting transgender girls from participating in girls’ sports…
An Illinois appellate court has breathed new life into a negligence lawsuit filed by a concession worker against the Chicago White Sox and its stadium operators. The suit had been previously dismissed by the Circuit Court of Cook County, which granted summary judgment to the defendants. The appellate court’s decision means the case will proceed,…
In a dynamic week for litigation in London, three notable cases have emerged that underscore ongoing legal challenges across diverse industries. One significant development involves Rockfire Capital, a company previously engulfed in the collapse of solar bonds, which has initiated a lawsuit against the Royal Bank of Scotland. The legal proceedings highlight the complexities surrounding…
In a recent development that holds significant implications for international sports law, Gibson Dunn attorneys, in collaboration with Homburger AG, have achieved a legal victory for U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles. The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has opened a path for Chiles to potentially reclaim the bronze medal she was initially awarded during the 2024…
Tennis is more than just a game for many legal professionals; it’s a powerful tool for honing skills vital in the courtroom. An exploration into this unusual connection reveals how playing tennis can enhance the capabilities of a lawyer. As captured in an analysis on Law360, extracurricular activities like tennis provide insights that transcend sports,…
Prime Hydration, the sports drink company co-founded by Logan Paul and KSI, has reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its products. The lawsuit, filed in August 2023, accused the company of containing these toxic substances, which have been linked to various health issues, including cancer….
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard arguments challenging the NCAA’s restriction on student-athlete eligibility, focusing on a rule that limits participation to four seasons within a five-year period. This challenge originated from four West Virginia University football players who contend that the NCAA’s bylaws unlawfully count junior-college years towards this participation limit, a…
High school athletes in Michigan have been granted the opportunity to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) following a policy update by state educational authorities. This move aligns Michigan with a growing number of states that recognize the potential for student-athletes to engage in personal branding activities while still in high school. The…
Thousands of foreign nationals recently released or escaped from Cambodian scamming compounds are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, according to statements by Amnesty International. These individuals, having been trafficked into the compounds, find themselves in dire circumstances without money, passports, medical care, or safe passage home. The call for aid highlights the serious human…
The Supreme Court is set to examine a pivotal case concerning the 1988 Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) in a digital context, focusing on whether Paramount Global violated the act by sharing a user’s viewing history with Facebook. The case, Michael Salazar v. Paramount Global, revolves around the interpretation of the term “consumer” under the…
Duke University and star quarterback Darian Mensah have resolved their legal dispute concerning the terms of Mensah’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) contract. The settlement allows Mensah to transfer to another institution for the upcoming football season. The conflict, which brought attention to the evolving landscape of athlete rights, particularly in collegiate sports, hinged on…
The Federal Circuit has opted not to revisit its ruling concerning the trademark ownership of the phrase “More Than An Athlete,” a slogan closely associated with NBA star LeBron James. This decision upholds the previous finding by a trademark tribunal that affirms James and his company hold the rights to this celebrated phrase. This legal…
This week, attention turns to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals as they tackle pivotal disputes involving NCAA eligibility rules and e-cigarette regulation in North Carolina. Both cases carry significant implications for their respective industries and may set impactful precedents. On the docket is a contentious argument over whether the NCAA’s eligibility criteria breach antitrust…
The Supreme Court has taken a critical step in addressing digital privacy by agreeing to hear Salazar v. Paramount Global, a case that revolves around the interpretation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). Originally passed to prevent public disclosure of videotape rental histories, the law now faces scrutiny in the digital era. This lawsuit…
The legal showdown between a NASCAR champion and Pacific Life has captured the attention of the legal community, highlighting potential pitfalls in the realm of 1035 Exchanges. The plaintiff alleges that such exchanges are being misused to “reset compensation under the guise of policy improvement,” suggesting broader implications for policyholders and insurers alike. This case,…
The legal landscape of college athletics is witnessing an unprecedented development as Duke University has filed a lawsuit against its own quarterback. This unusual move aims to prevent the athlete from transferring to another institution, amidst growing tensions surrounding name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements in college sports. The case, which has drawn the attention…
The Detroit Lions are currently embroiled in legal proceedings as a California photographer has taken action against the NFL team over alleged unauthorized use of his photographs of quarterback Jared Goff. The dispute centers around the photographer’s assertion that his lawsuit is appropriately filed in California, despite the Lions’ efforts to have it dismissed on…
The increasingly intricate web of collegiate athletics has ushered in complex legal challenges, exemplified by Duke University’s recent legal action involving a quarterback’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) obligations. This suit serves as a critical test case for how universities might navigate the burgeoning arena of athlete compensation while grappling with control over player mobility….