Adrian Peterson Suspension: NFL Players Association Invokes Brady Opinion

On September 3, 2015, a New York federal judge overturned New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game suspension, and the decision has now found its way into Adrian Peterson’s lawsuit against the NFL.

In 2014, the NFL suspended Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson after allegations surfaced that he had used a wooden switch on his four-year-old son. The NFL Players Association filed a lawsuit on Peterson’s behalf, and the suspension was eventually overturned by a Minnesota federal judge. The judge — U.S. District Judge …

September 23, 2015 Copyright

Don’t Play with Playboy

Unbeknownst, rapper Azealia Banks was supposed to appear in the April 2015 edition of Playboy. That was until Mediatakeout.com LLC illegally stole and leaked nude photographs taken specifically for the 2015 edition to the media. Additionally, Media Takeout altered the photographs with a watermark: “MEDIATAKEOUT.COM.” According to a Summons and Complaint that was filed by Playboy International Enterprises in Federal Court, Playboy is suing up to $150,000 for each copyright infringement, as well as $25,000 for each photo violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act …

September 22, 2015 Fantasy Sports

Massachusetts Attorney General To Review Legality of Fantasy Giant DraftKings

The legality of DraftKings Inc., a Boston-based fantasy sports website, will be reviewed by the attorney general of its home state. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a well-known supporter of strict casino regulations, was asked about the legality of DraftKings during an interview with State House News Service. Healey told the News Service, “The point is this: This is a new industry. It’s something that we’re reviewing, and we’ll learn more about it.”

While fantasy sports have been around for decades, daily fantasy websites, …

September 21, 2015 Litigation / NCAA

Student Athletes Appeal Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit Against NCAA, Electronic Arts

A new development emerged Wednesday, September 16, 2015 in the case against Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) and the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) as two plaintiffs are appealing the approval of a $60 million settlement. The case—a class action lawsuit brought by student athletes—involves the use of students’ names, images, and likeness in EA’s NCAA video game series.

The class action has two underlying lawsuits: Keller v. Electronic Arts Inc. et al and O’Bannon, Jr. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association et al. A …

September 19, 2015 NFL

Cleveland ‘Jock Tax’ Ruling to be Suspended During Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

The Ohio Supreme Court agreed on Wednesday to suspend its decision to strike down Cleveland’s “jock tax” while the city appeals to the United States Supreme Court.

Cleveland is one of eight cities that have implemented a so-called “jock tax,” which is an income tax levied on NFL players visiting the city for a road game. The decision to strike down the tax comes as a result of two lawsuits brought by former Indianapolis Colt Jeff Saturday and former Chicago Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer.…

September 18, 2015 NFL

The NFL Files its Pre-Argument Statement in Appealing Brady Suspension Ruling

The NFL filed its “pre-argument statement” in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday September 17, 2015. The NFL is appealing the September 3, 2015 district court decision of Judge Richard Berman, which vacated the NFL’s 4-game suspension of superstar quarterback Tom Brady.

The pre-argument statement is separate from the filing of a memorandum of law—the statement only describes the legal theories the NFL will plan to make on appeal. Both the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association (the representative of Tom Brady) …

September 17, 2015 Concussions / NHL

Judge To Move Forward With Decision In Boogaard Wrongful Death Suit v. NHL

In 2013, the late NHL player Derek Boogaard’s parents filed a wrongful death suit in Illinois against the NHL. The plaintiffs allege that Boogaard’s death was a result of the NHL’s post-concussion drug treatment program, as Boogaard died in May of 2011 at the age of 28 after a prescription drug overdose. It was Boogaard’s team doctors that introduced him to the pain medication.

In recent weeks, a fight ensued over documents in a separate but seemingly related case. A federal judge in the …

September 17, 2015 NHL

NHL and Adidas Ink Deal for Uniforms and Merchandise

On Tuesday September 15, 2015, the National Hockey League announced that it inked a 7-year partnership with Adidas AG. Adidas will become the official supplier of on-ice uniforms, as well as the official outfitter for licensed apparel—both clothing and headwear.

The announcement came following several months of speculation. In the hockey world, jerseys (or, “sweaters,” as they’re often referred to) are a big deal. You can’t deny it—hockey uniforms are more iconic and elaborate than in any other sport. This is mostly because hockey …

September 16, 2015 Antitrust / MLB

Minor Leaguers’ Antitrust Action Against MLB is Dismissed

On September 14, 2015, a federal judge in California granted Major League Baseball’s motion to dismiss the minor league players’ antitrust action. The class action claimed that the MLB violated federal antitrust law, alleging that the league suppressed the compensation of minor league players through its antitrust exemption. This historic exemption was established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1922.

District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr.’s decision dismissed the case pursuant to a January 2015 decision in which the 9th Circuit upheld the MLB’s antitrust …

September 15, 2015 Litigation / NBA

Those Pesky CBA’s: The Strife of Bismack Biyombo’s Former Agent

In June 2014, agent Igor Crespo sued his former client, NBA center Bismack Biyombo, for breach of their player-agent contract. The action, however, will now be limited pursuant to a recent order issued by Justice Saliann Scarpulla of the New York Supreme Court (New York’s trial court level) on September 4, 2015.

The initial complaint filed claims against Biyombo for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and tortious interference of contract. The damages are alleged at $2 million. In particular, Crespo claims that, under the …

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