K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (February 11, 2025)

Sports:

NCAA

• Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean was granted a preliminary injunction on Thursday that would allow him to maintain his college eligibility and continue playing for the Wisconsin Badgers this fall. Judge grants injunction allowing Wisconsin CB Nyzier Fourqurean to keep playing this fall – AP

MLB

• Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter for MLB star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison on Thursday on charges related to stealing nearly $17 million from the Dodgers player. The sentence was handed down nearly a year after the gambling controversy first surfaced. Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter sentenced to nearly 5 years in fraud case – ABC

NFL

• An Arizona federal judge on Thursday signaled plans to send a defamation suit against the Arizona Cardinals and others to arbitration, as requested by the National Football League team and its owner in their ongoing dispute with its former vice president. Judge Favors Arbitration In Suit From Ex-Cardinals VP – Law360

GOLF

• President Trump met this week with the PGA Tour commissioner, the tour said on Thursday, as the Justice Department considers whether to approve a venture between the United States’ premier golf circuit and one backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.
  Trump Met PGA Tour Commissioner About Saudi Golf League Deal – NYT

SOCCER

• The National Women’s Soccer League on Wednesday agreed to a $5 million settlement with a trio of attorneys general that had been investigating the league’s widespread mistreatment of its players. Women’s Soccer League Will Pay $5M To Abused Players – Law360

UFC

• A decadelong legal fight for lost wages between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its former athletes reached the final horn on Thursday after a federal judge gave final approval of a $375 million antitrust settlement. Judge grants final approval of $375 million UFC antitrust settlement after decadelong battle – Courthouse News

Entertainment:

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Neil Gaiman, author of American Gods and The Sandman comics, has been accused of engaging in egregious sexual misconduct, including repeatedly raping a woman hired to care for his young son, while his estranged wife, the singer Amanda Palmer, did nothing to stop the abuse, according to a federal lawsuit filed in WI. Neil Gaiman Sued For Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking By Ex-Nanny
• Lawyers representing feuding actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in their It Ends With Us damages litigation agreed to rein in public statements, after a Manhattan federal judge cited their duty not to taint a potential future jury pool. Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively’s lawyers cautioned on public statements Meanwhile, another front has opened in the messy legal drama, as a public relations consultant filed a defamation suit in TX federal court alleging Blake Lively falsely roped him into her headline-making sexual harassment and retaliation claims. Blake Lively Sued for Defamation by Crisis PR Rep Jed Wallace
• Jay-Z has dropped his sanctions bid against attorney Tony Buzbee for filing a lawsuit that claims Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs raped a 13-year-old more than 20 years ago, accusations he has called “knowingly false.” Jay-Z Ends Battle With Alleged Teen Rape Victim’s Lawyer
• Vanderpump Rules reality TV personality Lala Kent is dropping her trademark infringement lawsuit against a former business partner her company accused of releasing an “unlicensed” lip product using her “Give Them Lala” trademark. ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Drops Trademark Suit Over Lip Product

MUSIC

• Lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced legislation that would require radio broadcasters to pay artists when playing their music, a measure that would address what the recording industry has called a legal loophole in which songwriters and publishers get paid — but not performers and labels — when radio stations play their music. It’s Back!  American Music Fairness Act Proposing New Music Royalties for Over-the-Air Broadcasting Introduced in the New Congress | Broadcast Law Blog
• Music publishers are demanding Spotify remove podcasts they say include thousands of instances of direct copyright infringement through unlicensed use of musical works. Music Publishers Ask Spotify to Take Down Podcasts Featuring Unlicensed Songs | Morningstar
• Warner Music Group Corp. said it has acquired a controlling stake in Tempo Music Investments from Providence Equity Partners, in a reported $450 million deal that gives Warner Music the rights to songs recorded by Adele, Bruno Mars and other popular artists. Warner Music Buys Majority Stake in Tempo Catalog in $450 Million Deal
• Isaac Hayes’ estate told a GA federal judge that President Donald Trump and his election campaign have wrongly claimed the legendary musician’s heirs don’t have rights to the song “Hold On, I’m Comin'” in an effort to escape the heirs’ lawsuit alleging unauthorized use of the 1966 Hayes-penned hit. Isaac Hayes’ Estate Fights Trump Campaign’s Bid To Ax IP Suit – Law360