NFL to Seek $2 Million from Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones

According to a report, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is preparing to demand $2 million from Dallas Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones. Apparently, Jones will be forced to pay $2 million because Jones’ fellow NFL franchise owners are upset with the way Jones has acted over the past eight months. Not to mention, Goodell and Jones have a longstanding feud.

In 2017, Goodell’s contract as NFL Commissioner was set to expire. When the NFL Compensation Committee began the process of renewing Goodell’s contract, Jones attempted …

February 28, 2018 Antitrust / NCAA

NCAA Argues $42 Million Award is Unjustified

On February 15, 2018, an attorney representing the NCAA urged a panel of judges from the Ninth Circuit to reject a $42 million attorney’s fee award for attorneys representing student-athletes. Back in 2009, a class of players, led by former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon, sued the NCAA claiming that the NCAA violated antitrust laws by wrongfully profiting off the likenesses of student-athletes and not offering scholarships at the full cost of attending the university. In 2015, the class of players won their suit; however, …

February 27, 2018 NCAA

University of Arizona Men’s Basketball Coach Accused of Offering $100,000 to Star Player

On February 25, 2018, ESPN reported that the FBI had several wiretapped conversations between the University of Arizona Wildcats’ head coach, Sean Miller, and Christian Dawkins. Reportedly, the two had several conversations about paying $100,000 to guarantee that freshman star center, Deandre Ayton, signed with Arizona. As we have previously reported, Dawkins currently stands accused of facilitating six-figure payments to basketball players and their families in exchange for promises that the players would enroll at Adidas sponsored NCAA Division I schools and later would …

February 26, 2018 NCAA

NCAA Corruption/Bribery Case Update

On February 21, 2018, Yahoo Sports reported that financial records, documents, and wiretaps tied to prominent former NBA agent, Andy Miller, and his former associate, Christian Dawkins, have provided the prosecution with a detailed window into the ongoing NCAA Corruption and Bribery case. As we have continued to report, this case involves Adidas executive Jim Gatto, Adidas contractor Merl Code, and sports business manager Christian Dawkins. Each stand accused of facilitating six-figure payments to basketball players and their families in exchange for promises that …

February 26, 2018 Litigation

John Cena Battles Ford Over Flipped GT

On February 13, 2018, wrestler and actor John Cena filed a motion to dismiss Ford Motor Co.’s recent complaint against him for reselling a custom 2017 GT sports car, and in doing so, allegedly breaching a contract that the parties had made. In addition to damages for breach of contract, Ford also seeks relief for fraudulent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.

Ford claims that in 2017 it entered into an agreement with Cena for him to purchase the one-of-a-kind vehicle, and that part of that agreement …

February 24, 2018 Fantasy Sports / Litigation

Lawsuit Concerning Use of Student-Athletes’ Name and Likeness by DraftKings and FanDuel Continues

On February 22, 2018, two Seventh Circuit judges, Judge Frank Easterbrook and Judge Ilana Diamond Rovner, said that they would likely need an answer from the Indiana judiciary before they can decide whether to revive a proposed class action suit brought against DraftKings and FanDuel. As we have previously reported, in May 2017, a group of 3,000 college-athletes, led by former Northern Illinois University football players Akeem Daniels and Cameron Stingily, and former Indiana University football player Nicholas Stoner, bought a suit alleging that …

February 23, 2018 Basketball / NCAA

NCAA Affirms Sanctions Against Louisville Basketball Team

As we have previously covered, the Louisville men’s Division I basketball team has been under scrutiny since news surfaced in 2015 about its inappropriate recruitment practices involving escorts and strippers, which started back in 2011. Since then, the team has endured the firing of its head coach, self-imposed penalties, and much embarrassment. In June 2017, the NCAA issued penalties, including a five-game suspension of former coach Rick Pitino, four years’ probation for the entire team, and show-cause penalties for former coach Andre McGee, …

February 23, 2018 Fantasy Sports

Massachusetts Bill Proposes Legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports Amid Pending Supreme Court Ruling

On February 14, 2018, Massachusetts Legislature introduced a bill aimed at legalizing and taxing daily fantasy sports (DFS). The timing for the bill could be particularly timely depending on how the Supreme Court decides to rule on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which currently prohibits sports betting across the country. As we have previously covered, the issue is still pending with the Supreme Court, though many states are hopeful for a decision by mid-March.

Senator Eileen Donoghue, the initiator of bill …

February 22, 2018 NCAA

Notre Dame Forced to Vacate 2012 and 2013 Wins

On February 13, 2018, the NCAA’s Division I Infractions Appeals Committee (IAC) announced that the University of Notre Dame’s football team must vacate 21 wins accumulated during the 2012 and 2013 football seasons. Back in November 2016, an NCAA panel sanctioned Notre Dame after the school self-reported that a student trainer had done coursework and given benefits to a group of football players. As a result of the ruling, wins from the 2012 and 2013 seasons were vacated, Notre Dame was put on probation, Notre …

February 21, 2018 Legislation / NCAA

Mississippi Firearms Bill Unpopular with NCAA Conference Chief

On February 7, 2018, House Bill 1083, proposing to allow the carrying of certain firearms in public, overwhelmingly passed the Mississippi House. The bill would allow those with enhanced concealed carry permits to carry in such places as university campuses, in courthouses, and at sporting events. NCAA Southeastern Conference Chief, Greg Sankey, wasted no time in expressing serious concerns about potentially negative repercussions befalling Mississippi universities, should the bill become law. Specifically, Sankey took issue with future implications on collegiate athletic events, noting that “it …

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