The master mind in the Biogenesis scandal surrendered to DEA on Tuesday, tentatively closing a chapter of the two-year Operation Strikeout investigation. Anthony Bosch, the founder of Biogenesis clinic, and his associates have been charged with conspiracy to distribute steroids. The doping scandal marred some of Major League Baseball’s famous names like Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon. Close to 20 players have been suspended by MLB for having tested positive or for their usage of steroids revealed in clinic …
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Lawsuits Becoming a Headache for NHL as Fourth Concussion Suit is Filed
On Tuesday, July 29, 2014, yet another lawsuit was filed against the National Hockey League regarding alleged brain injuries sustained by its players. This lawsuit is the fourth of its kind to be served on the NHL within the last nine months. Unlike the other three, this suit was filed by a lone plaintiff, former Boston Bruin John Rohloff.
Rohloff’s complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota, alleges that the NHL either was aware or should have been aware of …
Continue ReadingNCAA Reaches Settlement, Offering Rule Changes to Concussion Class-Action Plaintiffs
On Tuesday, the NCAA filed a proposed settlement in the US District Court of Chicago to potentially end the class-action head-trauma lawsuit. The preliminary settlement will create a $70 million fund for diagnosing current and former college athletes for brain trauma and other head related injuries. The NCAA is currently awaiting approval by Judge John Z. Lee.
The proposed deal also sets up a new and uniform return-to-play policy, treatment requirements, and protocol for athletes who sustain head injuries. The fund will be made available …
Continue ReadingApple Acquisition, Beats, Sued by Bose
In Delaware court on Friday, headphone innovator Bose Corporation filed a complaint against Beats Electronics LLC, claiming a loss of business profits from infringement on five patents related to their noise cancelling technology.
This lawsuit comes just two months after Apple announced its intent to purchase Beats Electronics for $3 billion. Approval of the acquisition is anticipated in September. In addition, Bose has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission against Beats and others for allegedly infringing on the patents of technology Bose …
Continue ReadingFederal Court in Pennsylvania Allows High School Football Traumatic Brain Injury Case to Continue
A traumatic brain injury sustained by a grown adult while accepting the monetary rewards of professional football is one thing. A traumatic brain injury sustained by a public high school football player while under the watch of grown adults is another, and may constitute a federal constitutional claim for “injury as a result of a state created danger,” as demonstrated by the decision issued last week by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Mann v. Palmerton Area School Dist. et …
Continue ReadingJudge Approves $60 Million Settlement in NCAA Video Game Case
On Thursday, Judge Claudia Wilken approved the proposed settlement agreement between the Sam Keller plaintiffs and the defendants, NCAA, EA Sports and Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC)—$20 million with the NCAA and $40 million with EA Sports and CLC. In an attempt to avoid similar video game related liability in the O’Bannon case, the NCAA argued the $20 million settlement should cover any misappropriation of likeness claims arising from NCAA-branded video games, but Judge Wilken disagreed. Her decision to handle the two similar cases separately would …
Continue ReadingNew Yorkers Pay to Keep Colbert and “Late Show” in NYC
Wednesday afternoon, CBS and New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced that the “Late Show” will stay in New York City when Stephen Colbert takes over hosting duties from David Letterman next year.
Reports claim that Los Angeles and governor Eric Garcetti attempted to lure Colbert and the “Late Show” from its NY home, but Governor Andrew Cuomo stepped in. Cuomo offered CBS CEO Leslie Moonves $11 million in tax credits over a five year span through the excelsior tax credit program, geared toward job creation. …
Continue ReadingBig 12 Commissioner Critical of NCAA
At the beginning of Big 12 media days on Monday, July 21, commissioner Bob Bowlsby focused his state of the league address on to the NCAA and its rule enforcement procedures.
Bowlsby joins the continuously growing population of NCAA bashers by calling into question the NCAA enforcement wing’s efficiency. While claiming the system is broken and that the NCAA has allowed cheating to pay off, the commissioner pointed out that the NCAA Infraction Committee hasn’t held a hearing in over a year. He also expressed …
Continue ReadingCubs Bring Trademark Infringement Suit Over Fake Mascot Billy Cub
The Chicago Cubs filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against five individuals who allegedly have been dressing in a fake mascot costume near Wrigley Field. The complaint claimed that these individuals in their “Billy Cub” outfits not only engaged in “mascot-like activities” but also participated in “unsavory actions.” Like the genuine Cubs mascot Clark the Cub’s costume, the outfit includes Cubs cap and jersey with “Billy Cub” and the number 78 on the back.
The fake mascots solicited tips near the ball park for dancing or …
Continue ReadingFormer NFL Players Accused Union of Conspiring to Conceal Risks of Head Injuries
NFL veterans Christian Ballard (Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle) and Gregory Westbrooks (New Orleans Saints linebacker) have filed a lawsuit against the National Football League Players Association, accusing the union of fraud, negligence, and civil conspiracy.
Targeting a retirement board which includes three union representatives, the complaint alleged that the board, since at least the 1990s, has paid disability payments to retired players with traumatic brain injury (TBI). From reviewing such claims, the union knew about the dangers associated with traumatic brain injuries, according to the …
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