Sports Litigation Alert Current Issue

By Dr Robert J. Romano, JD, LL.M, Senior Writer, St. John’s University The U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision of Federal Baseball Club of Baltimore v. National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, in what would be considered today as extremely dubious logic,...

By Katelyn Kohler  In January 2023, a jury ruled that luxury brand Thom Browne did not infringe or dilute adidas' "Three-Stripe Mark" trademark.  Despite the losing verdict, the legal and fashion communities remain engaged as the case evolves. The recent...

By Jason Re, Esq. In 2016, a former high school baseball player in New Jersey sued his previous high school coaches, and the school district, for an alleged culture of bullying that was fostered, setting off a twisted chain-reaction of lawsuits, counterclaims, and...

A federal judge from the Eastern District of California has dismissed the NCAA’s motion to dismiss two class action lawsuits, which claimed that restrictions on compensation for thousands of volunteer coaches violated antitrust law. The plaintiffs in the first suit,...

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has affirmed the decision of a district court to dismiss a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by umpire Ángel Hernández (“Hernández”) against Major League Baseball (“MLB”). By way of background, Hernández filed a...

By Jeff Birren, Senior Writer The most recent class-action complaint against FTX calls it “the largest financial fraud in US history.” FTX’s mastermind, Sam Bankman-Fried tweeted a belated apology and admission that “that I f@*ked up” (Garrison et al v. Golden State...

By Dr. Robert J. Romano, JD, LL.M, St. John’s University, Senior Writer On September 1, 2023, Jim Estes, a member of the board of directors at USA Track and Field (USATF), filed a civil action against USA Track and Field, Max Siegel, the organization’s CEO, and Renee...

By Kerri Cebula, Associate Professor of Sport Management at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania In 2020, Formula E unveiled a new camera angle designed to bring fans closer to the racing action, the Driver’s Eye camera.  A tiny camera is embedded in the driver’s...

By Christopher R. Deubert, Senior Writer In January 1972, Major League Baseball (MLB) submitted a brief to the Supreme Court in opposition to the appeal by player Curt Flood challenging baseball’s reserve clause.  In that brief, MLB argued that the reserve...

By Christina Stylianou & Gregg E. Clifton, of Lewis Brisbois The Dartmouth men’s basketball team has filed a petition to unionize with Region 1 of the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), and its Regional Director Laura Sacks. The petition seeks...

The Justice Department has announced a settlement agreement with Highland Community College (HCC) in Kansas to resolve the department’s investigation into allegations that Black students, primarily student-athletes, living on HCC’s main campus experienced...

World Boxing, the new international federation established to ensure boxing "stays at the heart of the Olympic Movement," has announced the appointment of Professor Jack Anderson as its first Ethics Chief. Anderson has more than 25 years’ experience in legal practice...

New Division to Go Beyond NIL, Bolstered by Multiple New Hires The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department announced today the launch of a first-of-its-kind Athlete Services Division (ASD) that will build upon OU's existing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)...

Starnes Davis Florie LLP has announced the hiring of Daniel Feig, who will join its Collegiate Sports Group. Feig’s practice will be focused on higher education, particularly collegiate sports and representation in NCAA compliance matters, internal investigations, and...

Ac academic study has revealed that synthetic sports fields can significantly increase the risk of concussion, when compared to a natural grass surface.  The study, presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, highlights...

Hackney Publications announced today the release of the latest episode of Sports Law Expert Podcast, which features Courtney Dunn of Segal McCambridge, who discusses her budding sports law practice and her path along the way. The podcast segment can be heard here....

Western Michigan Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae has announced the fire of Laura LeDuc as the Assistant Athletic Director, Administration/Chief of Staff. LeDuc will serve in the newly defined role of Assistant Athletic Director for Administration. In this role,...

The 45th Annual Conference of the Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries will be held October 5 to October 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. The conference is jointly supported by the Section of State and Local Government Law. As part of this...