Canada’s House of Commons Responds to U.S. Sports Gambling Expansion

Recently, Canadian House of Commons members of Parliament Brian Masse and Kevin Waugh brought forward Bill C-218, or the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act, as an attempt to legalize single event sports betting in Canada. The legislation would “make it lawful for the government of a province, or a person or entity licensed by the lieutenant governor in council of that province, to conduct and manage a lottery scheme in the province that involves betting on a race or fight or on a single …

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First Diagnosed Case of Coronavirus in NHL

On March 17, 2020, the Ottawa Senators announced one of their players has tested positive for the coronavirus. The undisclosed player has mild symptoms and is in isolation. The team is currently in the process of notifying anyone who may have come in close contact with the player and team doctors have asked all members of the Senators organization to remain isolated, monitor their health, and seek advice of team medical staff should they experience any symptoms.

In a statement, the team said, “The health …

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New Jersey Assembly Panel in Favor of Student-Athlete Endorsement Deals

The New Jersey Assembly Higher Education Committee voted in favor of the New Jersey Fair Play Act on March 5, 2020. The bill would permit college athletes within the state of New Jersey to receive compensation for endorsement deals. The panel voted 2-4 to advance the legislation, which would ultimately take effect in five academic years after its enactment.

If signed into law, the New Jersey Fair Play Act would ensure the right of student-athletes to make money off of their name, image, and likeness …

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Judge Rules Adidas RICO Suit Will Continue

On March 2, 2020, U.S. District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. declined to dismiss a civil racketeering lawsuit against Adidas and others, allowing the lawsuit to continue. The suit was brought by Brian Bowen II, a former University of Louisville basketball recruit, who claims that the NCAA corruption scandal cost him opportunities in both college and professional basketball.

Specifically, Judge Anderson determined that Bowen would be permitted to continue claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a federal law that provides a …

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Michael Rapaport Moves For Summary Judgment Against Barstool Sports

Comedian Michael Rapaport moved for summary judgment in a lawsuit against Barstool Sports, Inc., on March 3, 2020, contending that there was enough evidence to find the entertainment company liable for breach of contract and defamation.

According to Rapaport’s complaint, the comedian entered into a contract with Barstool Sports in 2017 to provide video content for the company’s webpage and to host a weekly podcast on the company’s platform for Sirius XM. Rapaport claims that this deal entitled him to $200,000 for the online videos …

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Fantasy Baseball Players Sue MLB, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox

There has been extensive fallout of the Houston Astros cheating scandal in baseball. From suspensions to fines to taking away draft picks, the MLB has internally disciplined the Astros. However, there has been speculation as to the potential legal consequences of the cheating scandal. On January 23, 2020, one such legal consequence became apparent when five fantasy baseball players filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York against the MLB, the Astros, and the Boston Red Sox. …

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Illinois Village Mayor and Brother of Former Bears Linebacker Charged in Gambling Ring

Casey Urlacher, brother of Chicago Bears Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, was among a group of ten people charged with operating an illegal offshore sports gambling ring on Feb. 20, 2020.

According to the indictment, the alleged ringleader, Vincent DelGiudice, paid a Costa Rican-based sportsbook service a fee to use its online gambling platform. DelGiudice then solicited gamblers to place wagers on the website. To increase the number of gamblers, DelGiudice hired agents, including Urlacher, to enlist additional gamblers in exchange for a cut of their …

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Jack Nicklaus Settles Trademark Infringement Lawsuit with Maker of Golf Training Technology

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus settled his trademark infringement lawsuit against PowerPro Sports LLC on February 20, 2020. As we previously reported, Nicklaus Companies LLC, Nicklaus’ corporate vehicle, sued PowerPro, makers of the Powerchute golf training technology, alleging that the company unlawfully used his likeness and trademarks without permission to promote their training product.

According to the lawsuit, Nicklaus made an agreement with PowerPro and allowed the company to use videos and photographs of himself to promote their product; however, Nicklaus described the agreement as …

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The Tail of the Phillie Phanatic – The Hidden Underbelly of the New-Look Mascot

As reported by the Philadelphia Phillies, “[h]e has evolved, but clearly hasn’t matured.”

This week, the Phillies unveiled their new-look mascot… who received little more than a touch-up. As discovered at the Phillies’ spring training home opener, the infamous Phillie Phanatic arrived with new feathers, stars outlining the eyes, an enlarged backside, and a brand new powder-blue tail, among other minor detail changes.

Most casual fans will hardly notice a difference, and even die-hard Phillies fans are split; some prefer the traditional style, while others …

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NHL Players’ Return to the Winter Olympics May be Closer than Expected

On February 8, 2020, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman tweeted that “the [International Olympic Committee] and [International Ice Hockey Federation] indicated a willingness . . . to address NHL issues to get players to go to 2022 Olympics.” This is a significant change in the NHL’s previous anti-Olympic stance.

The 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea marked the first time in 20 years that NHL players were absent. The players were overwhelmingly in favor of playing in the 2018 games; however, the NHL balked at the …

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