K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (June 11, 2024)

Sports:

• Game equipment company Sport Squad Inc. deceptively marketed some of its pickleball paddles as approved by the sport’s national governing body even though the approval had been rescinded, a consumer class action alleges. Pickleball Paddle Maker Misbranded Official Approval, Suit Says – Bloomberg

NCAA

• The Atlantic Coast Conference has asked a Florida appeals court to review its recent legal loss to Florida State University. At issue is whether FSU’s lawsuit against the ACC should proceed in Tallahassee while the ACC’s suit against the school proceeds in North Carolina. ACC asks Florida appeals court to review first loss in FSU lawsuit – Tampa Bay TImes

NFL

• The National Football League is heading to trial on Wednesday in Los Angeles where jurors will decide if the league broke antitrust laws and should pay billions of dollars in damages over its “Sunday Ticket” telecast. NFL ‘Sunday Ticket’ antitrust trial heads to court in Los Angeles, payoffs could reach $21B – NYP

MLB

• San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcanohas been banned for life by Major League Baseball for betting on baseball games. San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano banned for life by MLB after betting on games – CNN

NBA

• Billionaire Stan Kroenke’s sports holding company, which owns the Denver Nuggets and other professional sports teams, sued a Denver-based hot dog shop chain in state court, alleging the food vendor owes more than $860,000 in sponsorship fees as part of a deal to promote its brand at Ball Arena during sporting events. Denver Nuggets Owner Says Hot Dog Biz Owes $860K – Law360
• NBA star Zion Williamson told a North Carolina federal court that he’s still only asking for $1.5 million in attorney fees despite having undertaken more litigation in a Fourth Circuit battle over a contract with his former agent. NBA Star Won’t Raise $1.5M Fee Bid After 4th Circ. Win – Law360

PGA Tour

• The Louisville Metro Police Department has released new police bodycam video showing the moment of PGA star Scottie Scheffler’s arrest by police. Scheffler, the top-ranked golfer in the world, ran afoul of police last month when he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the PGA Championship. The charges against him were later dropped. NBC News’ Erin McLaughlin has more. New video shows moment of Scottie Scheffler’s arrest – NBC

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• The-Dream, a musician who has written songs for artists including Rihanna and Beyoncé, is facing a lawsuit in CA federal court from a woman claiming that he raped her after he said he’d help launch her musical career. Former protege sues The-Dream, accusing the hitmaking music producer of sexual assault | AP News
• Rap and media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold his majority stake in Revolt, the media and entertainment company he founded, shifting ownership of the business to its employees as his legal troubles continue to mount. Diddy Sells Stake In His Media Company Revolt Amid Legal Issues (forbes.com)

FILM & TELEVISION:

• NM state prosecutors asked a judge to grant immunity to a convicted Rust film armorer in a bid to compel her to take the stand during actor-producer Alec Baldwin‘s upcoming involuntary manslaughter trial in the on-set shooting death of a cinematographer. Prosecutors in Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Case Want Armorer to Testify at His Trial (people.com) Meanwhile, the actor is facing a new civil lawsuit over the same shooting. Alec Baldwin and others face new lawsuit over ‘Rust’ film shooting death (koat.com)
• Netflix has settled a lawsuit alleging one of its docuseries defamed a Manhattan prosecutor who was involved in the Central Park Five case, agreeing to donate $1 million to a nonprofit dedicated to preventing wrongful convictions. Former prosecutor settles lawsuit against Netflix over Central Park Five series | AP News
• Comedy Central convinced a federal judge it hadn’t infringed animator Daniel Kassel’s copyrights with its Loafy animated series about a manatee. COPYRIGHT—S.D.N.Y.: Manatee has a… | VitalLaw.com
• Netflix built its popular serial killer miniseries Baby Reindeer on “brutal lies” that have “ruined” the life of the Scottish lawyer who claims to have inspired the show — all because “it was a better story than the truth,” according to a $170 million suit filed in CA federal court. Baby Reindeer: Woman sues Netflix for $170m over Martha character (bbc.com)

MEANWHILE, IN HOLLYWOOD…

• Fitness club franchising company F45 Training, promoted by early investor Mark Wahlberg, has settled a breach of contract suit originally filed in CA state court in 2022 that centered around a promotional deal involving international soccer icon David Beckham. David Beckham and Mark Wahlberg’s F45 Reach Agreement and Dissolve Lawsuit (people.com)