Another Headache for the NFL and Riddell

On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, helmet maker Riddell Inc. and the NFL were sued by more than 50 former football players and families of deceased players in a new lawsuit in Louisiana Federal Court. The proposed class action alleges that the NFL made “material representations” that several brain conditions such as early-onset dementia, memory loss, and ALS, were not caused by the players’ time in the NFL and the NFL failed to protect its players.

The suit further alleges that the NFL was aware of …

Continue Reading

Daily Fantasy Sports in New York Faces Constitutional Challenge

Just when New York residents thought it was safe to activate their daily fantasy sports accounts, another suit has been filed in the Empire State seeking the immediate and permanent halt to daily fantasy sports. The recent attack is coming from a group known as the Stop Predatory Gambling (SPG) advocacy group. SPG filed a suit contending that the recent law enacted back in August regarding daily fantasy sports not constitutional. SPG claims that in order to enact New York’s controversial daily fantasy sports law, …

Continue Reading

Daily Fantasy Sports Companies Investing Big Money in Lobbying

After the first two weeks of NFL football in 2016, once thing is apparent; there are far fewer commercials advertising for daily fantasy sports. The decline in the advertising of daily fantasy sports companies makes sense given the rising costs other factors associated with the legality of these sites. FanDuel Inc. and DraftKings Inc., the largest daily fantasy players, are fighting for their existence on a state-by-state basis. Daily fantasy sports companies are pushing to be classified as a “game of skill” instead of a …

Continue Reading

The IRS Takes Gold in Rio

America’s Olympic Medalists in Rio will return to an unpleasant reality: a tax bill. Each medalist will be taxed on their award from the U.S. Olympic Committee and the monetary value of the medal itself. The U.S. Olympic Committee awards cash prizes to medal winners in the following amounts: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. According the IRS, all cash prizes and awards are taxed as income earned abroad. The awards are treated the same as a lottery payout or casino …

Continue Reading

Kanye West Versus Taylor Swift — The Saga Continues

The newest chapter in the Taylor Swift and Kanye West feud stems from the release of video footage on Kim Kardashian’s Snapchat account.

In Kanye’s latest album, The Life of Pablo, he released a song titled “Famous,” which made a reference to Swift. Upon release, Swift was publicly outraged at the song’s content and denied giving Kanye permission to use the specific lyrics West used in the song. This disagreement prompted Kim Kardashian to defend West by posting recorded videos on her Snapchat between …

Continue Reading

Cinemark is Not Liable for Theater Mass Shooting

On July 20, 2012, James Eagan Holmes carried out a mass shooting that occurred inside of a Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises.  Holmes was dressed in tactical clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms. Twelve people were killed and 70 others were injured. James Eagan Holmes confessed to the shooting but pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Arapahoe County prosecutors sought the death …

Continue Reading

Miami Marlins Sue Ex-Season Ticket Holder — The Case of Mickey Axelband

Mickey Axelband is self-proclaimed lifelong baseball fan. When the Miami Marlins were formed in 1993, he bought two season tickets and was excited to be part of the new franchise. Now, Mickey finds himself the defendant of a lawsuit. The plaintiff? None other than his beloved Miami Marlins.

In 2012, the Miami Marlins opened up their new stadium—Marlins Park. Axelband agreed to upgrade his two season-tickets and pay $24,000 per season for the pair of seats. As part of the upgrade, the Marlins promised various …

Continue Reading

If People Watch, Bellator MMA Will Find a Way to Book it

Bellator MMA announced that Kimbo Slice is scheduled to face James Thompson for the second time on July 16, 2016 in London’s O2 Area. At first glance, this announcement is not extraordinarily notable. But, upon further analysis, this news demonstrates Bellator’s emphasis of profit over regulation of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).

Kimbo Slice, who was born Kevin Ferguson, is a big name in the world of MMA. Big names draw ratings, which ultimately translates to big profit. Slice’s previous fights have drawn very high ratings. But, …

Continue Reading

The Risks of Trying to be Half Man, Half MMAmazing

In Light of New York’s Legalization of Mixed Martial Arts, a Look at the Legal and Regulatory Risks Involved With Alternating Between a Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts Career.

On four occasions throughout 2013, colorful former welterweight and super welterweight boxing champion Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga had his name back in the combat sports headlines again following a two-year period of inactivity courtesy of an unsuccessful foray into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), where he went 0-3 with one no contest. In doing …

Continue Reading

Helmet Company Riddell Tries to Call Time-Out on Concussion Lawsuit

On the heels of the uncapped settlement in multidistrict litigation between the NFL and former players seeking damages for concussion-related conditions, helmet manufacturer Riddell Inc. has tried to call a time-out on their own multidistrict litigation.

A group of former NFL players filed two motions requesting a pretrial conference with Riddell in Pennsylvania Federal Court. Riddell filed a response arguing that the Rule 16(a) pretrial conference is premature and inappropriate based on three main factors. First, there is a pending appeal to the uncapped settlement …

Continue Reading