StubHub Claims Warriors & Ticketmaster Conspired to Form a Monopoly

Over the weekend, online ticket resale marketer StubHub, filed an antitrust lawsuit in Federal Court against the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and Ticketmaster, alleging conspiracy to create a monopoly.

The Golden State Warriors have been very successful on the court as of late.  This year, the team clinched a playoff spot for the third straight season and secured the first seed in the playoffs in the western conference.  The team has also sold out 118 straight home games in addition to maxing out its season …

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NHL Fails to Secure Quick Exit From Concussion Litigation

On Wednesday, March 25, Federal Judge Susan Nelson denied the NHL’s motion to dismiss the class action concussion injury lawsuit brought against it by former NHL players.

Several different complaints against the NHL were consolidated last October in which six former players, seeking to represent all players living and deceased, argue that the NHL failed to inform them of the health risks caused by concussions and head-related trauma though the league had knowledge, research, and resources of such information.  The allegations mostly follow the lead …

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Pittsburgh Steelers Antonio Brown’s Agent Sued for Double-Dealing

Exclusive Supplements Inc. (“ES”), a sports and nutrition supplement company, filed a lawsuit against an NFL agent for inducing Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown to breach the non-compete provision of the endorsement agreement Brown signed with the company in November 2014.

The complaint was filed on March 24, just one day after Glukos, a sports nutrition brand, announced that Brown signed on to be on “Team Glukos.”  The court document alleges that Brown’s agent Rosenhaus Sports Representation (“RSR”) induced Brown to enter into the Glukos …

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Former Television Judge Joe Brown Loses Appeal Over Contempt Finding

On Monday, March 23, former television personality Judge Joe Brown lost his appeal of the juvenile court ruling that found him in contempt of court and sentenced him to five days in jail last March.

Joe Brown was visiting Shelby County Juvenile Court last March when he was approached by a woman who wanted his advice. The former judge decided to represent the woman in the courtroom and became heated when the magistrate judge denied his request for dismissal and rescheduled the hearing. Brown became …

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Court to Determine Who Owns “Happy Birthday to You”

A California federal judge is to decide whether Warner/Chappell owns the 120-year-old “Happy Birthday to You” as Warner/Chappell and Good Morning to You Productions (“GMTY”) came to an agreement to do so on March 23.  The copyright suit was brought against Warner/Chappell in 2013 by GMTY, alleging Warner/Chappell “extracted millions of dollars in unlawful licensing fees” for the song despite the controversy over the origins and ownership of the song.

Arguing that the song has been in the public domain for 65 years, GMTY President …

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Clemens’ Defamation Lawsuit Reaches Settlement

On Wednesday March 18, the defamation-based legal dispute between Roger Clemens and his former trainer, Brian McNamee,  arising from allegations that the long-time MLB pitcher used performance enhancing drugs, has finally settled.

The dispute began over 7 years ago with the publication of the now infamous Mitchell Report.  In the report, pitching trainer, Brian McNamee, accused both Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens of taking performance enhancing drugs banned by the MLB.  Though Pettitte quickly admitted to his use, Clemens denied, and continues to deny, …

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Ex-Ravens Ray Lewis Going After His Former Lawyer

Ex-Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has sued his former attorney and longtime friend who defrauded him of $1.7 million in connection with a failed development project in Hunt Valley, Maryland.

The lawsuit alleges Lewis’ former attorney Marc Seldin Rosen convinced Lewis to sign a line of credit that “would not be touched.”  However, the attorney obtained $1.7 million for the MVP Lanes entertainment complex, a Hunt Valley bowling alley project.  Lewis alleges that he believed he was only allowing his name and likeness to the project.…

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9th Circuit Hears O’Bannon Antitrust Appeal Arguments

On Tuesday, March 17, NCAA March Madness began in more than one respect.  In addition to the start of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, Tuesday saw the beginning of the much anticipated NCAA appeal to the 9th Circuit challenging the outcome of O’Bannon v. NCAA.

Last August, Judge Claudia Wilken ruled in the case that the NCAA was unreasonably restraining trade in violation of antitrust law by limiting schools’ scholarship amounts to less than the full cost of attendance.  The ruling provides an …

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GA’s High Court OKs Atlanta’s $200M Injection into New Falcons Stadium Construction

The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision finding that Atlanta’s plan to issue $200 million in bonds to help finance the construction of a new stadium was within the bounds of the state constitution.

The $1.4 billion construction project has been delayed by a lawsuit brought by a group of Atlanta residents who challenged the city’s plan to use hotel-motel tax revenue to finance $200 million of the $1.4 billion.  Although other cities often use a hotel-motel tax on their sports facilities, the …

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