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 ReadingLATEST INSIGHTS
ABA’s Blawg 100 – Nominations Due August 9th
The ABA Journal is putting together its annual list of the 100 best legal blogs, based on reader votes. As publishers of the Sports and Entertainment Law Insider, we are proud to be considered for this prestigious list — and we would be honored if you would help. If you enjoy visiting the Sports and Entertainment Law Insider, and believe it is worthy of industry recognition, please click here to visit the ABA Blawg 100 Amici page and nominate us before the August …
Continue ReadingNCAA Hits Back, Seeks Dismissal of Lawsuit filed by Paterno Family Stemming From Sandusky Scandal
The NCAA wants a judge to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the family and supporters of late football coach Joe Paterno. Alleging that the claims are “baseless,” the NCAA filed its response to the Paterno family’s civil lawsuit last week on the day marking the one year anniversary since the NCAA sanctioned PennState for the Jerry Sandusky scandal with unprecedented penalties that included a $60 million fine. This is just the latest chapter from the embarrassing scandal which has tarnished the university’s brand and hindered …
Continue ReadingI.AM.INFRINGING?
Blurring the lines (via possible dilution, of course) of who has the right to a trademark incorporating the words “I AM,” early last week Judge Michael Dolinger of the Southern District ordered attorneys to agree to a discovery schedule and move forward with the case I Am Other Entertainment LLC v. William Adams and I.Am.Symbolic, LLC, 13-cv-4547 or, as everyone else knows it, the lawsuit in which Pharrell Williams (Pharrell), writer/rapper/singer/producer and the voice behind some of this summer’s biggest hits (Daft Punk’s “Get …
Continue ReadingCourt Orders Rihanna to “Talk That Talk”
Pop star Rihanna was fined $47,050 for repeatedly missing depositions. The singer is suing her ex-accountants Berdon LLP for allegedly mismanaging her money. She says Berdon’s bookkeeping led the IRS to audit her, and now Berdon owes her millions. However, according to Berdon, she has been blowing of depositions since April.
The original deadline for a deposition was April 19, 2013 in Los Angeles, but she pushed that date back to mid-May. Then, the deposition’s May deadline was rescheduled because of her concert. Most recently, …
Continue ReadingIf You Can’t Stand the Heat, Stay Out of the “Soup Kitchen”
A settlement dispute involving three iconic people is on the edge of scalding someone. Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph, both former Yankees players, are close friends. The two, along with many others, are invested in a company known as Soup Kitchen International (SKI). A recent settlement dispute connected to SKI and the “Soup Nazi” may be driving a soup spoon between them.
The Original Soup Man (OSM) is a chain of fast-food restaurants made famous by the “Soup Nazi” character on the sitcom “Seinfeld.” An …
Continue ReadingFormer Penn State President Files Last Minute Libel Suit
On Tuesday, July 9, 2013, former Penn State president Graham Spanier filed suit against Louis Freeh. Freeh is the former FBI investigator behind a 267-page report alleging that Spanier and other school administrators failed to protect children against Jerry Sandusky. Spanier is suing Freeh for slander, libel, and defamation alleging that the Freeh report makes accusations and reaches conclusions not supported by facts.
Fortunately for Spanier, his lawsuit was filed one day before the statute of limitations ran. Under Pennsylvania law, a party can only …
Continue ReadingJudge Orders NFL and Former Players to Mediate Concussion Claims
On Monday, July, 8 2013 a Pennsylvania federal judge ordered a mass of National Football League (NFL) concussion cases to mediation. The cases were brought by more than 4,000 former National Football League players accusing the league of negligence and concealing the dangers of concussions. The players say the league has known for years, or even decades about the long-term dangers of concussions. The league responded that it released warnings based on the medical research available at the time.
The NFL filed motions to …
Continue ReadingNCAA Litigation May Lead to Compensation of Student Athletes
It is well known that student athletes do not receive any of the revenue that their schools generate from ticket sales, television revenues, jersey sales, or similar profit-generating business transactions arising out of college athletics.
However, former University of California at Los Angeles basketball player, Ed O’Bannon has commenced an action in the Northern District of California against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Collegiate Licensing Company seeking to recover damages from the licensing of his likeness to entities such as EA Sports…
Continue ReadingRyan 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:
… Continue ReadingAs I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect… I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept