K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (June 23, 2023)

Sports:

• Baseball:
  • A group of Republican Senators introduced a bill that would end Major League Baseball’s (MLB) century-old antitrust exemption and bring it in line with the way other major U.S. sports leagues are treated under federal antitrust laws – GOP Sens Target MLB’s Century-Old Antitrust Exemption – Law360
  • The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) has agreed to pay approximately $100 million in fees apiece to both the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles to resolve a portion of their decadelong battle over annual telecast rights payouts – Orioles agree to settle part of MASN pay dispute with Nationals: Sources – The Athletic
  • In another discrimination lawsuit for MLB, former MLB scouts accused teams and the MLB commissioner of discriminating against, and even blacklisting, those over the age of 40, in a proposed collective action filed Wednesday in Colorado federal court – Ex-MLB Scouts Swing At Teams, Commish In Age Bias Suit – Law360
  • A Second Circuit rejected an antitrust challenge to MLB’s decision in 2020 to shrink its farm league system, noting in a summary order that the Sherman Act does not apply to professional baseball under controlling case law – 2nd Circ. Rejects MLB Antitrust Immunity Challenge – Law360
• Football:
  • Former National Football League (NFL) linebacker Bill Romanowski and his wife owe more than $15.3 million in federal income taxes, penalties, and interest; an amount determined as of March 31 that could rise due to statutory additions – Former NFL Linebacker Owes $15 Million in Taxes, US Tells Court (bloomberglaw.com)
  • A protracted scuffle between the Pro Football Hall of Fame and NFL fans who bought tickets in 2016 to a game that never took place has ended in a settlement of up to $750,000 that will allow class members to be reimbursed for the price of the ticket, air, train and bus fare, lodging, ground transportation and parking – NFL Fans Settle Suit Over Nixed Hall Of Fame Game For $750K – Law360
• Shortly following last week’s weekly roundup, Saudi-backed LIV Golf Inc. and the PGA Tour Inc. formally moved to put their California federal court antitrust legal battle behind them a week and a half after the surprise announcement that they would be joining forces rather than continuing to duke it out in court – LIV, PGA Formally Drop Legal Dispute Following Merger – Law360

Entertainment:

• Kesha and music producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald settled allegations the pop star defamed Dr. Luke by accusing him nearly a decade ago of sexual assault – Kesha and Dr. Luke settle their longstanding legal battle: NPR
• The Brandr Group, which negotiates group licensing deals for over 50 Division I schools, is suing videogame maker, EA Sports, over name, image and likeness (NIL) deals being offered to athletes for the upcoming EA Sports College Football video game; EA Sports maintains that this lawsuit will not delay the highly anticipated return of the EA Sports NCAA Football game – EA Sports sued by The Brandr Group: What’s the future of the college football game? – The Athletic