Big 12 Deal Could Redefine Athlete‑NCAA Legal Landscape
The Big 12’s multimillion dollar private equity deal with RedBird and Weatherford isn’t just new money—it could rewrite the legal relationship between athletes, schools, conferences, the NCAA & investors. I break down the stakes + risks for @Sportico.👇 https://t.co/uPrjJNUHFz.
Taylor Swift's Trademark Playbook Shields Athletes From AI Deepfakes
AI is exploiting athletes’ identities, it will only get worse as AI gets better and NIL protections aren't enough. Enter Taylor Swift’s trademark strategy to protect her NIL. It offers a potential roadmap for athletes battling deepfakes and AI misuse: https://t.co/4TdMv2PYiY.
Atlanta Hawks Finance VP Sentenced for $3.7 M Fraud
A $3.7M fraud, years of fake invoices, luxury trips to Thailand and the Bahamas on the company dime—and the Atlanta Hawks’ own VP of finance was the one signing off. How a “dream job” turned into a federal prison sentence....
Anti‑Tanking Rules Threaten NBA Draft’s Core Purpose
At what point does the quest to stop tanking undermine NBA draft's core rationale: enable weaker teams to acquire better players? NBA turned to draft order based on inverse record to discourage team dynasties, so fans of bad teams had...
Jones' Plea Could Shorten Sentence and Incriminate Co‑defendants
Damon Jones cutting a plea deal in the NBA sports betting prosecutions will mean a shorter prison sentence. It could also mean he agrees to share evidence that is then used against other defendants and he testifies against them. That...
Cora's $13.5M Deal Gives Him Freedom to Choose
Alex Cora, per @JonHeyman, is owed $13.54 million from the Red Sox through 2027. I'm sure he's in no rush to take a new job and getting to spend time with family is invaluable. He'll have his pick of opportunities,...
Federal Judge to Decide Future of NIL Legal Framework
The biggest test for NIL as a legal concept looms on May 27, when a federal judge will review House settlement class counsel's motion challenging the College Sports Commission's approach to review of NIL deals. A lot is at stake. My...
Evaluating Antitrust Exemptions in College Sports
Very insightful take from antitrust attorney and economist (and former FTC commissioner) @JoshWright1977 on how to think about potential antitrust exemptions in college sports:
Earlier NIL Deals Could've Kept Stars in College
"College basketball stars are staying in school, overwhelmingly." If the world of NIL deals not violating NCAA eligibility rules started sooner—like when Ed O'Bannon sued in 2009—have to think some NCAA players who left early would have stayed in school, then...
QB's Gambling Leave May Reshape College Sports Betting
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby taking an indefinite medical leave to treat a gambling addiction could be a game-changer in sports betting in college sports. In law, this is an area in great flux, and the NCAA isn't like the...
NCAA Eligibility Rule Fuels Antitrust Lawsuits and Uneven Play
New NCAA eligibility rules won't stop eligibility lawsuits, since the same issue remains: an athlete deemed ineligible on account of having been in college sports too long contends they are in a sports labor market where they sell athletic services...
Ballmer Accuses Aspiration Exec of NBA Info Swap
Steve Ballmer urges judge to punish Aspiration exec Joe Sanberg. Ballmer says Sanberg cut deal with NBA to share info on Kawhi in exchange for NBA writing letter to judge. Sets table for Ballmer to claim any NBA punishment relies...
NBA Set to Reveal Clippers Salary‑Cap Probe Findings
Likely after the season ends, the NBA will announce findings of investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by using Aspiration to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard. Both Steve Ballmer & top NBA investigator submit new, key letters:...
Diego Pavia's Legal Battle Raises 2026 Draft Timing
The big sports law question for the 2026 NFL Draft: When will Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia—who began what has become more than 70 eligibility lawsuits against the NCAA to extend their time as college athletes—be drafted?
Public Photos Fuel Potential Character Assassination of Patriots Coach
With basically everyone a potential photographer these days, and with Mike Vrabel being super recognizable & not exactly hiding while in public places, makes you wonder how many photos there may be. And those in possession of them could sell...
Discussing IP Rights in American Sports at Webinar
Looking forward to speaking at @ASIPI_ & @UNHLaw webinar tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET on IP rights in sports in the Americas. I'll be on a panel with fellow attorneys Zvi Rosen, Jose Antonio Arochi & Jean-Carlo Costa Gálvez....
NFL Wins $27M Lawsuit Over Packers Cheer Song Claims
The NFL defeats a $27 million lawsuit accusing the league and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue of copyright infringement and antitrust violations over the use of Green Bay Packers cheer songs: https://t.co/XSQ6TJTIwl.
Trump Threatens to Cut Federal Funds over Sports Policies
President Trump has shown a willingness to pull federal money from colleges that fail to comply with his preferred policies. He could do that with schools that don't follow his preferred college sports policies. Now that would change college sports:...
Judge’s Loose Definition Won’t Undermine Settlement
Worth going back to the actual text Judge Wilken approved as the definition of an associated entity: “An associated entity is one that is closely affiliated with an NCAA member school for the purpose of promoting the school’s athletics program...
Colleges Back Athletes Suing NCAA, Defying Eligibility Rules
We live in a world where colleges agree to follow NCAA eligibility rules, but when one of their athletes sues the NCAA to stay eligible and asks a court to override eligibility rules, colleges support their athlete's case. This is becoming...
Adidas Sued over Gender Discrimination Tied to Trailer Incident
Adidas sued for gender discrimination and retaliation by an ex-executive who argues she was unfairly blamed for incident where an unnamed former NBA player and his family took over a trailer for NBA All-Star Weekend that was reserved for two...
Harvard Law Hosts NCAA Litigator Rakesh Kilaru on College Sports
Thank you to attorney Rakesh Kilaru for joining us today at @Harvard_Law for a superb discussion on sports litigation, particularly in college sports. Rakesh has played an instrumental role for the NCAA in the House settlement & eligibility litigation. We're...
Bohm V. Bohm: Potential Shift in Athlete Money Control
In law, it's been said you never like to see a case caption where the plaintiff and defendant share the same family name. Enter Bohm v. Bohm & Bohm, which could be a game-changing case on athletes and family control over...
Non‑collectively Bargained NCAA Rules Vulnerable to Antitrust Suits
Any NCAA eligibility rule not created through collective bargaining can face antitrust lawsuits by excluded players. NCAA could argue a 5-year window after HS graduation or turning 19 is reasonable, but judges would need to agree. So, yes, more lawsuits:...
Kalshi Wins Courts, Shifts Battle to Montana
Kalshi has had the winning hand in court of late and now takes its legal battle to Montana. More on the state-by-state fight over prediction markets, federal preemption, and state gambling and sports betting laws: https://t.co/xz2Ll0GUHR.
Dink Pate's College Move Proves Sports Line Blurry
Dink Pate going to play college basketball is further proof that efforts to draw a "line" between pro and college sports will need to be dotted and zigzagged and it will be persistently subject to legal challenge and change. My...
Celebrating Paul Weiler's Legacy at Harvard Sports Law Day
A great sports law day at @Harvard_Law that included time with Florrie Darwin, who teaches negotiation law. Florrie's late husband, Paul Weiler, was the founder of sports law as an academic discipline. He was also my professor, mentor and friend....
Dink Pate Highlights NCAA's Inconsistent Pro-Player Eligibility
Dink Pate has played three seasons in the G League, and is now off to play college basketball. This is why it will be hard for the NCAA to tell judges that certain pro players—and G League players are pros...
DOJ Probe Unlikely to Directly Alter NFL Streaming
Will the Justice Department's investigation into the NFL lead to major changes in how we watch and stream NFL games? I'm skeptical. It's possible there will be changes, but I think they would come about via courts or market effects. My @Sportico...
Taylor Swift Tickets Carry Hidden Terms, Court Rules
Taylor Swift concert tickets are expensive. They also contain terms that might surprise ticket buyers and are common in sports tickets, as a new court ruling shows: https://t.co/IKO7FlYT90.
Appeals Courts' NCAA Rulings May Prompt Supreme Court Review
As the NCAA weighs new eligibility rules and President Trump pushes for a 5-year limit, multiple federal courts of appeals have issued rulings on NCAA eligibility antitrust cases. That could open the door for the U.S. Supreme Court. Details + Analysis: https://t.co/jisIdmjHNl.
Harvard Law Hosts Major Sports Law Symposium, NCAA Antitrust Debate
Big sports law day @Harvard_Law tomorrow as annual sports law symposium will host top panels & speakers. @FedSoc is also hosting a discussion between @EliNachmany and me titled "The NCAA at an Antitrust Crossroads." If you're at HLS, hope to...
Tiger Woods Ranks 5th Highest‑paid Golfer, $54M Earnings
Tiger Woods hasn’t had the greatest year on or off the course, but he’s still the 5th highest-paid golfer over the past year, earning $54.2 million almost entirely from endorsements & business deals. Check out @Sportico’s World’s Highest Paid Golfer...
Sportradar Faces Antitrust Claims over Live Data Monopoly
Sportradar is accused of violating antitrust law by controlling the market for live sports data and allegedly expanding that control by refusing to deal. The company is armed with a number of key defenses. Details and analysis: https://t.co/FA3A9y8fRH.
Labor Relations, Not Executive Orders, Ensure College Sports Stability
Great to join @finebaum on @espn to talk about President Trump's new executive order on college sports and why, IMO, the ultimate path to stability in college sports is through labor relations—not executive orders, not Congress and not antitrust lawsuits:...
Treat College Athletes as Employees to Avoid Antitrust Lawsuits
The only way for NCAA, conferences & schools to avoid more antitrust lawsuits is for some players to be deemed employees, then unionize & bargain with conferences (since state laws are a hurdle for some public college athletes). Everything else...
NCAA's New Eligibility Rules Likely Spark Antitrust Lawsuits
The NCAA is considering new eligibility rules that would impact pre-college players and pro draft participation. Expect antitrust litigation should those rules go into effect. I look at potential legal fallout in my weekly @Sportico sports law column: https://t.co/kXWgyni3L7.