A-Rod PED Scandal Goes On … And On

On Monday, Major League Baseball suspended Alex Rodriguez and 12 other players in connection with their use of performance enhancing drugs obtained from the, ahem, wellness clinic Biogenesis run by Anthony Bosch. Ryan “I would bet my life that this substance never entered my body” Braun was already suspended a few weeks ago. The Miami New Times first broke the Biogenesis story in January 2013. MLB began an investigation immediately, but the paper wouldn’t turn over its supporting documents to MLB. Bosch, of course, denied …

Continue Reading

Ryan Braun Situation Illustrates How Arbitrators Can Lose Perspective

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the 2011 National League Most Valuable Player, Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, has been suspended without pay for the rest of the 2013 season for violating the league’s drug policy.  Braun, who will not contest the suspension, has admitted to wrongdoing and apologized for his actions in a statement, saying:

As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect… I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept

Continue Reading

In the Hot Seat: Exposure to Armstrong Increases Substantially in Light of Recent Admissions

Seven time Tour de France ‘winner’ Lance Armstrong likely faces increased and significant financial exposure as a result of his recent televised admissions regarding his use of performance enhancing drugs during nearly all of his cycling competitions.  Indeed, Armstrong could stand to lose a significant chunk of his estimated $125 million fortune as a result of the two part interview with Oprah Winfrey as a result of civil actions seeking financial damages based on claims for defamation, malicious prosecution, and fraud.  Moreover, he will almost …

Continue Reading

Cycling Union Prepares to Come Clean; Armstrong’s Problems Getting Worse?

The United States Anti Doping Agency (USADA) recently released its evidence against former cyclist Lance Armstrong.  Though Armstrong has claimed innocence against charges of blood doping and use of banned substances, the evidence provided by the USADA leaves little, if any, doubt that Armstrong was part of what USADA chief executive Travis Tygart called, “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”

Armstrong was given a lifetime ban from the sport of cycling in August, and was stripped of his

Continue Reading

Lance Armstrong Steps Down from Livestrong, Dropped by Nike

Days before the Livestrong Foundation’s 15th anniversary celebration, its founder, Lance Armstrong, announced this morning that he is stepping down as Chairman.   Nike, Inc. also announced today that it is terminating its contract with Armstrong based on the “seemingly insurmountable evidence” that Armstrong participated in doping.  Nike will continue its support of Livestrong initiatives.  Both announcements follow the release of a report last week by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency which included testimony from several former teammates that Armstrong both used and trafficked performance enhancing …

Continue Reading

USADA Finds Armstrong’s Doping a Team Effort

On October 10, 2012, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a report laying out the reasons behind its August decision to ban Lance Armstrong from competitive cycling, as well as strip him of his racing titles (which include seven Tour-de-France victories).  The allegations, which include testimony taken from over a dozen witnesses (including several former teammates), state that Armstrong had both used and trafficked the drugs EPO and testosterone.

At one point, the report accused Armstrong of perpetuating a “doping culture” on his racing team, painting …

Continue Reading

Armstrong Abandons Fight Against Doping Allegations, Cedes Titles

Late on August 23, renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong announced that he would no longer be continuing his fight against charges brought by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which included allegations that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs and underwent illegal blood transfusions throughout the course of his career.  As a result of declining to challenge these accusations in arbitration, Armstrong will be stripped of his numerous Tour de France titles, and will be banned most elite-level sporting competitions.

Armstrong’s concession comes despite his numerous protests against the …

Continue Reading

Update: Lance Armstrong Suit Against Anti-Doping Agency Tossed a Second Time

On August 20, 2012, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks of the Western District of Texas threw out a suit brought by renowned cyclist Lance Armstrong against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (“USADA”), who claims that the USADA’s arbitration procedures would deny him due process of law.  The allegations brought by the USADA against Armstrong include accusations of performance enhancing drug use in violation of anti-doping rules, charges which could strip him of his seven Tour-de-France titles.  A nearly identical suit brought by Armstrong was dismissed without …

Continue Reading

London 2012 Olympics will Feature Most Sophisticated Anti-Doping Testing in History

Olympic competitors who plan to run the risk of taking performance-enhancing substances before or during the London Summer Olympics are facing “the most sophisticated anti-doping operation in the history of the Games.”  A private sponsor will be aiding in the drug testing this year—a first in Olympics history—by providing facilities for scientists to conduct the testing. More than 6,250 samples of blood and urine will be tested (as compared to 4,500 samples tested inBeijing), with approximately 150 scientists running tests around the clock.

The list …

Continue Reading

False Start for Lance Armstrong as Suit Against USADA is Dismissed

On July 9, 2012, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks dismissed without prejudice an attempt by professional cyclist Lance Armstrong to block the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) from investigating charges of blood “doping” that could take away his seven Tour de France victories. 

Armstrong’s suit asserted that the USADA did not have the jurisdiction to bring charges against him, that the agency’s international arbitration process was a sham, and that the result of the arbitration was preordained against him.

The USADA acts as the regulator to …

Continue Reading