Down in a Blaze of Banishment: FIFA Bans Ex-Official Chuck Blazer for Life

On Thursday, July 9, FIFA officials banned Chuck Blazer, the former FIFA executive committee member, for life from soccer-related activities at the national or international level. Blazer, after pleading guilty to charges of bribery, money laundering, and tax evasion, worked undercover with prosecutors in the United States to help lead to the arrest of several FIFA officials.

FIFA’s Ethics Committee had suspended its original investigations into Blazer regarding corrupt financial management in May 2013 after it received written assurances that he was suffering from colon …

July 10, 2015 Libel

Joe No-Show: Libel Suit Against Wynn Las Vegas Dismissed

Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis’ libel suit against Steve Wynn of Wynn Las Vegas was dismissed by a California federal judge on Wednesday after an extended period of inactivity on the plaintiff’s end. The libel suit alleged that Wynn had made false accusations about Francis regarding an unpaid gambling debt. Wynn commented on the case, stating:

“Francis’ own statements and actions have made clear that he has no intention of taking this case to trial … Because Francis cannot travel to the United States,

July 9, 2015 Celebrities

In Hot Water: Tom Selleck Accused of Stealing Public Water

On Wednesday, July 1, the Calleguas Municipal Water District filed a complaint asserting that Tom Selleck and his wife, Jillie, transported water from the Calleguas district to their ranch. This would violate a water ordinance that bars water conveyed by Calleguas to be delivered or sold outside of its district boundaries.

Additionally, the complaint states that the district hired a private investigator. The investigator witnessed a commercial truck filling up a tanker with water from a public fire hydrant in Thousand Oaks and then deliver …

July 8, 2015 NFL / Trademark

Downward Spiral Continues for Redskins as Judge Upholds Trademark Cancellation Decision

On Wednesday, July 08, a federal judge ordered the cancellation of the Washington Redskins’ federal trademark registrations. United States District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee ruled that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office should cancel the team’s trademark, finding that the name “may disparage” Native Americans.

Judge Gerald Bruce Lee’s decision affirmed the earlier ruling by the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. In that ruling, the appeal board held in a 2-1 vote that the team’s moniker is offensive to Native Americans and therefore ineligible …

July 7, 2015 Litigation

CTE Litigaton Continues: WWE Sued On Behalf Of Late Wrestler

A lawsuit was filed on Friday, June 26, on behalf of Matthew Osborne, better known by his WWE alter ego Doink the Clown. Osborne passed away on June 28, 2013 after accidentally overdosing on morphine and hydrocodone. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Dallas, Texas, alleging that Osborne sustained traumatic head injuries while in the WWE that resulted in depression and drug use, and ultimately lead to his death.

More specifically, the lawsuit alleges the following:

WWE took inadequate steps to correct …

July 6, 2015 Legislation

Go team! California legislation to require cheerleaders make at least minimum wage

Perhaps the first of its kind in the United States, a bill was sent to the Governor of California earlier this week that would require cheerleaders working for professional sports teams be paid at least minimum wage along with overtime and sick leave. As it stands, the benefits received by a number of cheerleaders actually amount to less than minimum wage.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, the author of the legislation, said the following about the proposed change:

Everyone who works hard to provide a great game-day

July 3, 2015 NFL

X Marks the Spot: Parties Skirmish in Dez Bryant Branding Lawsuit

Dez Bryant, a famed wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who is also known for crossing his arms in an X after successful plays, is now the focus of a brewing legal battle between Jay-Z’s Roc Nation LLC and Official Brands Inc., a Florida-based sports marketing firm.

The lawsuit was filed in Texas state court by Official Brands, which claims that Roc Nation engaged in tortious interference with regards to theirs and Bryant’s business relationship. More specifically, the lawsuit arises out of Bryant’s agent change …

July 2, 2015 NFL

Sacking the Opposition: Redskins Fight Amicus Brief in Trademark Dispute

On Tuesday, June 30, the owner of the Washington Redskins challenged the Native American defendants’ request to introduce a parallel case’s amicus brief that addresses the rights to federal action of trademark holders under the Lanham Act and related First Amendment issues. According to the team’s objection, the brief was untimely, had not been allowed by the court, and offered further argument that did not constitute an authority.

At a hearing on June 23, the defendants argued that the Supreme Court’s decision in Walker v. …

July 1, 2015 Litigation

WWE Grapples With Another Potential CTE Lawsuit, Takes The Offensive

In the face of more potential CTE lawsuits, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. decided to take action. On Monday, June 30, the organization initiated a federal suit in Connecticut in an attempt to obtain a declaration that certain potential CTE lawsuits should be time-barred by statutes of limitations.

WWE seeks the declarations for cases that may likely be brought against it by Dynamite Kid, Black Jack Mulligan, and other former WWE wrestlers. This comes after the organization received warning letters about said potential claims from …

June 30, 2015 Defamation / Libel

Manhattan Federal Jury Says Wall Street Wey Must Pay

After deliberating for just four hours, a federal jury in the Southern District of New York awarded former New York Global Group intern Hanna Bouveng $2,000,001 in compensatory damages. This comes after a 10-day trial in which Bouveng accused New York Global Group CEO Benjamin Wey of assault, battery, defamation, sexual harassment, and wrongfully retaliating against her by firing her after she cut off their sexual relationship. Wey denied Bouveng’s claims, instead alleging that she was fired for poor performance.

The jury was shown, …

Sports and Entertainment Law Insider™

LATEST INSIGHTS