The Sports Law Blog

All things legal relating to the sports world, from the leading sports lawyers of today.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

John Wilson, the Varsity Blues dad who won his federal appeal, sues USC for $75 million, arguing USC is liable for fraud & deceit. Wilson blames the school's handling of his $100K donation for his criminal charges. An interesting case for college sports: https://t.co/tuoahgMKeS.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

Breaking: Shannon Sharpe defeats Brett Favre at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, as appellate court affirms the dismissal of the defamation case. Sharpe can thank Skip Bayless too. I have details and analysis: https://t.co/Ojf4LPjLBG.

[Jay Bilas @JayBilas]

Paul McDonald on the NCAA’s frivolous, lame argument that college athletes can be limited just like prison labor. Unconscionable. https://t.co/MqCedd2bKW

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

What a night for sports law. The NCAA's epic, but not yet approved, settlement to resolve three big antitrust cases and reshape college sports into something like a pro league faced a skeptical judge.

My keys from the hearing and what will happen next: https://t.co/YSxmY2U0F7.

[Gabe Feldman @SportsLawGuy]

One possible outcome that @McCannSportsLaw and I discussed on my podcast is that the judge sends the settlement back to the parties to tweak/rework it.
Seems like that's where we're headed. https://t.co/83kscGhTUb

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

This is key: Judge Wilken just said "I think we have problems with this" and tells the NCAA and players' attorneys you need to come up with something better.

She does not like the settlement restricting NIL opportunities and thinks it will take away from athletes' opportuities.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

The NBA says TBS and Warner Brothers' legal argument that they matched Amazon's offer is an air ball—specifically, they couldn't match, and even if they could match, didn't match.
A great contracts law case, with a massive escrow as a key issue. My take: https://t.co/TwqdiikKEH.

[Maurice Clarett @ReeseClarett13]

College football is officially back. You have to love it!!!

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

I've been a lawyer for 22 years and have not seen a lawsuit over sand stealing.

That changed today.

I write on Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio being sued by his neighbor in Malibu over their very intense disagreement about relocating sand: https://t.co/cgOeloFTrL.

[#BaseballandtheLaw ⚾️ 🏛 @BaseballandLaw]

Duck Assaults Bluefish

Jose Offerman who played 15 years in the majors, was arrested by the @bptpolice and charged with 2nd degree assault for hitting 2 Bluefish players with a bat while batting for the @LIDucks during an @AtlanticL game on 8/14/2007

#BaseballandtheLaw 783

[Maggie Gray @MaggieGray]

Right now Ian O’Connor talks about his new biography of Aaron Rodgers

OUT OF THE DARKNESS https://t.co/ExCkw1OgGu

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

The NCAA's historic—but judicially unapproved--settlement to resolve antitrust cases now faces multiple objections, including from college athletes.

I dive into the objections and how they could spark changes in settlement terms, opt-outs & more cases:
https://t.co/mA2pYyMhjb.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

The NFL faces a historic court hearing in Los Angeles today as the judge in the Sunday Ticket case weighs whether the league should pay more than $14 billion in damages--or nothing (with many options in between). I preview the hearing & possible outcomes: https://t.co/RkMXOYhUQr.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

Breaking: Federal judge rejects $335 million UFC Fighters antitrust class action settlement. New trial date set. I think they will craft a new settlement. Here’s my take on the big news (and why the NCAA and college athletes’ attorneys should take note): https://t.co/aFejqZeJlY.

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

Breaking: Jon Gruden petitions the Supreme Court of Nevada to grant an en banc reconsideration (if granted, all the justices would hear his case). Gruden is suing NFL and Roger Goodell, blaming them for allegedly leaking the emails that cost him his job: https://t.co/yLVyKSQKVQ.

[Scott Soshnick @soshnick]

The expected is here 👇
The legal equivalent of a basketbrawl:

TBS, Warner Bros. Discovery Sue NBA Over Loss of TV Deal:

https://t.co/gHn03ruUbc via @sportico

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

The NCAA and attorneys representing college athletes in the House, Hubbard & Carter cases file a historic settlement agreement that, if approved, would transform college sports into pro sports.

But it could face many hurdles along the way.

A deep-dive:
https://t.co/CCw59p9Ahc.

[Scott Soshnick @soshnick]

Professor @McCannSportsLaw dropping some Monday morning knowledge 👇

https://t.co/gKjOY24mTo

[Michael McCann @McCannSportsLaw]

Today's ruling by the Third Circuit against the NCAA is a huge development in sports law and employment law. The Third Circuit flatly rejected NCAA amateurism arguments as antiquated and unpersuasive. College athlete employment is closer than ever before. https://t.co/vhHWJzTxkf.

[Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandt]

Always amused at the reaction to Bobby Bonilla’s deferred payments. I don’t know about his interest rates, but know this:
Every team, in every sport, would rather defer than pay in present.
Money now better than money later.
I fought with agents all the time in trying to defer.