March 19, 2020 Gambling / Sports Betting / Sports Gambling

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 …

March 18, 2020 Hockey / NHL

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 …

March 2, 2020 Gambling / NFL / Sports Betting / Sports Gambling

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 …

February 28, 2020 Golf / Litigation

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 …

February 26, 2020 Hockey / NHL / Olympics

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 …

February 20, 2020 Hockey / NHL / Sports Betting / Sports Gambling

NHL and IMG Arena Announce New Live Stream Sports Betting Service

On Feb. 18, 2020, the NHL and IMG Arena announced a new partnership agreement that will allow sports betting operators to live stream selected out-of-market NHL games. The goal of the agreement is to get sports bettors–specifically, NHL sports bettors–more involved in NHL games that they bet on, but normally could not watch.

Since 2013, IMG Arena, a London-based company that specializes in bringing sport and the sports betting industry closer together, has successfully provided live streamed NHL games at sports betting operators across Europe. The …

February 11, 2020 Hockey / Litigation / NHL

Philadelphia Police Clear Gritty of Alleged Assault

Gritty, the famed Philadelphia Flyers mascot, was recently cleared of all assault charges following a Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) investigation. In 2018, Gritty was introduced, and instantly beloved, as the new mascot of the Flyers. His bizarre and horrifying look, outlandish behavior, and mischievous acts – including wedding crashing, taunting nuns, internet trolling, streaking at the Penguins-Flyers Stadium Series game, and dropping the gloves with youth hockey players – have earned him fame and admiration of not only Flyers’ fans, but fans across the NHL.…

February 10, 2020 Hockey / Litigation / NHL

Seattle Kraken or Sockeyes: How Legal Implications May Influence Seattle’s Decision

Numerous reports have surfaced regarding the new Seattle NHL expansion team’s name. Names such as the Seattle Cougars, Emeralds, Rainiers, Sea Lions, Totems, Kraken, and Sockeyes have been listed as possible options. However, legal implications may force the NHL and the team to narrow their list.

In December 2018, the NHL awarded an expansion franchise to Seattle. Since the expansion was awarded, fans have endlessly speculated about the team’s name and logo. The team, not backing down from an obvious marketing opportunity, continues to tease …

February 7, 2020 Legislation / Litigation

Barstool Sports in Hot Water with National Labor Relations Board

On January 27, 2020, a complaint was filed with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that Barstool Sports “engaged in and is engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning of section 8(a), subsections (1) of the National Labor Relations Act.” While the complaint is devoid of facts regarding Barstool’s alleged violation(s), it is suspected that the unfair labor practices took place on January 22, 2020, during Episode 22 of The Kirk Minihane Show, a popular Barstool Sports podcast.

During the podcast, Minihane …

February 5, 2020 Hockey / NHL

Green Day’s NHL All-Star Performance Could Raise Questions About Recent Partnership

On January 25, 2020, the NHL hosted its annual All-Star Game in St. Louis, Missouri. The two-day skills competition and All-Star Game appeared to go on largely unnoticed – an ongoing thorn in the side of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. That is, until punk rock legends Green Day took the stage during the second intermission of the game.

Those watching live heard the band’s lead singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, yell several expletives. Apparently, NBC censors were scrambling to keep up with the band’s performance, …