Ten Month Ban for Ryan Lochte Following Brazil Gas Station Incident

U.S. swimmer and twelve-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte has been suspended for 10 months as a result of the incident that occurred at a Brazil gas station during the 2016 Olympics. In addition, Lochte will be banned from the 2017 world championship meet in Budapest next July.

The ban arises out of an incident in which Lochte and several other American swimmers fabricated a story about being held at gunpoint and robbed while they were out by men they believed to be police officers. …

September 5, 2016 Concussions / Litigation

Concussion Lawsuits Reach Youth Football

A lawsuit has been filed in California federal court against Pop Warner and USA Football by two mothers whose sons played football as children and found to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after their deaths. The complaint accuses Pop Warner of failing to monitor games, practices, rules, equipment, and medical care to minimize long-term risks associated with brain injuries, failing to accurately diagnose brain injuries, and failing to approve the best equipment available. Meanwhile, it alleges that USA Football promotes safety programs of …

September 2, 2016 NFL

NFL Stars Cleared of Al-Jazeera Doping Allegations

James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers of the Green Bay Packers, were cleared Wednesday, August 31, 2016 of claims in an Al-Jazeera report that they were provided with prohibited substances. This development comes after the NFL had already cleared Peyton Manning of similar accusations made in the same report that the former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback had received or taken prohibited substances.

It also comes after the NFL a few weeks ago threatened to suspend …

August 31, 2016 Litigation

Fight Between Armstrong and USPS Reaches Pivotal Junction

The legal battle between Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service (USPS) has reached a pivotal point, with a report saying a ruling is expected soon on whether the case will proceed to trial or be thrown out at the summary judgment stage. In its claim, the government claims that USPS paid $32.3 million to sponsor Armstrong’s team, and also paid Armstrong $17 million while spending almost $40 million appearing as the main title sponsor on several of Armstrong’s teams. The government is seeking …

August 24, 2016 Litigation / NFL

Rams Claim They Owe Fans Nothing After Move to Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Rams responded to requests by fans to refund the purchases they made of useless seat licenses through the 2024 season. According to the NFL team, the plaintiff is misinterpreting the licensing agreements. The Rams are requesting that the court deny the requests of the proposed class.

The Ram’s recent decision to move from St. Louis to Los Angeles has since caused issues with angry fans and season ticketholders. The plaintiffs point to a contract clause that obligates the team to pay back …

August 24, 2016 Litigation

College Players Not Entitled to Broadcasting Compensation

Former college players claiming they should be reimbursed for the broadcasting of games they played in recently endured another defeat. On August 17, 2016, the Sixth Circuit dismissed their claims after the district court had done the same in 2015. The suit was filed against ESPN, CBS, NBC, and other broadcasting networks and several conferences in 2014. Javon Marshall, former Vanderbilt football player, and the proposed class of former student athletes are claiming violations of the Sherman Act, Lanham Act, and Tennessee Law.

The …

August 23, 2016 Litigation

Reebok-CCM Presses for Details in Royalties Case

Reebok-CCM Hockey is being sued by Hefter Impact Technologies (HIT), and is pressing the helmet maker for more information to substantiate their claims. HIT is alleging that Sport Maska, Inc., who is doing business as Reebok-CCM, ignored a contractual obligation by using a certain design of a hockey helmet which HIT has proprietary rights to.

HIT had previously been well compensated from sales of the Vector line of helmets, which Reebok-CCM began producing in 2007 based on HIT designs. HIT was paid $1.4 million in …

August 22, 2016 Litigation / NFL

Last Minute Hall of Fame Games Cancellation Result in $5M Suit

Fans acted swiftly after seeing their long awaited Hall of Fame Games at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium cancelled. Ticketholders have filed a proposed class action suit in Ohio federal court claiming breach of contract and requesting reimbursement for travel, lodging, tickets, concessions, and other expenses totaling $5 million.

The annual popular preseason event hosted adjacent the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio is a weekend long happening that includes the induction of new hall of famers. This year the Indiana …

Under Armour in a TM Dogfight with Puppy Armour

Sports apparel giant, Under Armour (UA), is unhappy with the “Armour marks” on Puppy Armour’s canine clothing. Under Amour is suing S&O Innovations LLC and Silvo Schillen of “slavishly” misappropriating and copying its name and font. The athletic gear maker filed its petition in a Florida federal court, arguing that the dog products are styled to look similar to UA.

S&O sells various kinds of dog T-shirts for different breeds. In its complaint, Under Armour argues that the T-shirts are the same color, with …

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