Lance Armstrong Lashes Back at Government

Lance Armstrong is disputing a demand that he pay back more than $32 million the government alleges he took from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The government claims the contract between Armstrong and USPS was predicated on a “contractual promise to play fair and abide by the rules — including the rules against doping,” according to U.S. attorney Ronald Machen Jr., and that Armstrong broke that promise by using performance enhancing drugs.

Armstrong fought back by saying the government failed to show he had a …

July 11, 2016 General

Hogan Pulls Gawker CEO into the Ring, Alleges Undisclosed Loan Amidst Bankruptcy

On Tuesday, July 5, 2016, lawyers representing Hulk Hogan alleged that Gawker Media LLC secretly loaned Nick Denton, Gawker’s founder and CEO, $200,000 to pay for personal bankruptcy counsel. Gawker and Denton are jointly liable for the $140 million judgment in the Hogan case, with Denton personally liable for an additional $10 million in punitive damages. The accusations come as Gawker navigates through Chapter 11 proceedings and the anticipated sale of its assets.

Lawyers for Hogan are seeking to defeat an attempt to convert a …

June 13, 2016 General

Hogan’s $140 Million Award Forces Gawker into Bankruptcy

The bad year continues to get worse for digital news company, Gawker Media. On June 10, 2016, Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This occurred following a decision to uphold the $140 million award to Hulk Hogan for invasion of privacy. By filing for Chapter 11, the company postpones paying creditors, including awarded court judgments, until the sale of the company. It also gives the company time to reorganize and restructure. It is uncertain whether the founder and CEO of Gawker, Nick …

June 12, 2016 General

Former Stanford University Swimming Star Banned by USA Swimming for Life

On June 10, 2016, USA Swimming, the national governing body of competitive swimming, banned ex-Stanford University swimmer, Brock Turner from its membership for life, in response to Turner’s recent criminal sentence convicting him of sexually assaulting an unconscious and intoxicated female.

In January of 2015, Turner sexually assaulted an unconscious female on the University’s campus. According to the court report, Turner had only met his victim minutes before the event, at a fraternity party. Turner and the woman left the party and began kissing on …

June 11, 2016 General

Baylor University Will Not Release Full Report Pertaining to Sexual Assault Scandal

On June 3, 2016, Baylor University’s interim president posted a letter online stating that the university will not release law firm Pepper Hamilton’s full report investigating Baylor’s handling of incidents pertaining to sexual violence.

The incidents came to light in June of 2014, when Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu was indicted on two counts of sexual assault. Several other football players, including Shawn Oakman, were charged with sexual violence. In September of 2015, Baylor hired Pepper Hamilton to conduct an external and independent review of …

June 1, 2016 General

Baylor University President Resigns Amid Huge Scandal

In the midst of an ongoing sexual assault scandal involving Baylor University’s football team, Ken Starr resigned as Chancellor “as a matter of conscience.” However, Starr will continue to teach at Baylor Law School.

Prior to his appointment at Baylor, Starr was appointed judge to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and served as the United States Solicitor General under former President George H.W. Bush. Starr also authored a report pertaining to former President Bill Clinton’s extramarital involvement …

April 17, 2016 General

Cleveland Indians Oppose Lessening of Protection for AM Stations by FCC

When FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai released a statement discussing the new rules for AM broadcasters, it was framed in such a way as to make it sound like a positive development for AM radio. It discussed short-term relief for AM broadcasters and additional opportunities to acquire FM translators, and explained that AM radio mattered and a new chapter in AM revitalization was being opened.

The Cleveland Indians, however, are of a different view when it comes to the proposed rules. In a March 21, 2016 …

October 27, 2015 General

PA Horse Racing Industry Threatened With Suspension

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf recently announced that he may shut down horse racing in the state as of October 30, 2015.

The announcement comes as a result of a budget standoff regarding funding for racetracks. Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture provides oversight of the horse racing industry, which includes the funding for horse drug testing. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget would have the industry picking up the tab for the drug testing, which could save the state $7-9 million per year.

According the Department of Agriculture, revenue …

October 19, 2015 General

Third Circuit Will Revisit New Jersey Sports Betting Decision

On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted New Jersey’s request to revisit its decision to disallow New Jersey from legalizing sports betting.

Last October, New Jersey lifted its prohibition on sports betting in racetracks and casinos. In response, the NFL and NCAA—two sports leagues that oppose sports betting—sought an injunction to stop New Jersey. The district court granted the injunction and subsequently found that repealing the prohibition violated the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. …

August 28, 2015 General

New Jersey Sports Betting Denied Yet Again

The Third Circuit appeals court in Philadelphia rejected New Jersey’s recent attempt to legalize sports betting by denying their appeal of a lower ruling, finding a violation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992.

Last October, New Jersey repealed the prohibition on sports betting activity only in racetrack’s and casinos. A district court, however, granted the NFL and NCAA an injunction to stop any attempt at betting while the case was pending. The court then found repealing the prohibition violates the PASPA. …