K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (May 20, 2025)

Sports:

MLB

• Opening statements began Monday in the trial of Dan Serafini, the former Major League Baseball pitcher accused of a 2021 Tahoe-area home burglary ambush that left his father-in-law dead and critically injured his mother-in-law. Dan Serafini murder trial: Opening statements begin in former MLB pitcher’s Tahoe burglary case – KCRA Sacramento

NCAA

• Contrary to claims by some athletes that they will be harmed by roster limitations in a proposed $2.78 billion name, image and likeness settlement, the NCAA has told a California federal judge the latest changes will ensure “beyond a doubt” those athletes are treated fairly. NCAA Defends Latest NIL Deal Revisions In Bid For Approval – Law360
• A new state law protects Tennessee universities from anticipated antitrust lawsuits by athletes unhappy with the player-pay rules coming to college sports, and it could accelerate college athletics toward a professional model. Tennessee law shields schools in state from NCAA blame if NIL-driven House settlement fails – Law360

NFL

• An insurer for a Kansas City, Missouri, sports nonprofit told a federal court it should owe no coverage for a lawsuit claiming a man was shot in the leg during a parade the group hosted after the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII in 2024. Insurer Says It Won’t Cover Super Bowl Parade Shooting Suit – Law360

Entertainment:

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu was convicted of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in Paris in 2021 and handed an 18-month suspended sentence. Gérard Depardieu found guilty of sexual assault | AP News
• Sean “Diddy” Combs is a “complicated man” whose allegedly violent sexual relationships involved “voluntary adult choices,” a lawyer for the hip-hop icon told a Manhattan federal jury at the start of a trial on sex-trafficking charges that could put him in prison for life. Diddy Trial Opening Statements: What Prosecution, Defense Argued
• Lady Gaga urged a federal judge to deny a surf brand’s effort to prohibit her from selling clothing bearing the word “Mayhem” while its lawsuit accusing her of trademark infringement progresses. Lady Gaga Fights Bid to Block ‘Mayhem’ Merch in Trademark Suit

FILM & TELEVISION

• Production company StudioFest alleged in CA federal court that the upcoming horror film Together, starring real-life spouses Alison Brie and Dave Franco, is a “blatant rip-off” of a movie it pitched to the couple’s agents in 2020. Dave Franco, Alison Brie Sued for Copyright Infringement Over ‘Together’: Report
• Justin Baldoni and other producers of It Ends With Us must turn over to Blake Lively financial records showing their net worth in the legal battle between the film’s stars, a NY federal judge has ruled, saying the information is fair game since Baldoni’s side claims to have lost $400 million due to Lively’s alleged smear campaign. ‘It Ends With Us’ Producers Must Hand Over Net Worth Docs – Law360

MUSIC

• The nation’s major record labels are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up a petition from an internet service provider asking whether internet service providers can face “massive liability” for user copyright infringement, telling the justices that no circuit split on the question exists. http-www-supremecourt-gov-docketpdf-24-24-967-358489-20250509145200986_24-967-20brief-pdf.pdf
• Ed Sheeran urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an appeal to a decision concluding that his hit song “Thinking Out Loud” did not copy Marvin Gaye‘s classic “Let’s Get it On,” arguing the plaintiff wrongly contends that the 2nd Circuit improperly relied on the U.S. Copyright Office’s administrative guidance after justices overturned the Chevron deference. Ed Sheeran Tells Supreme Court to Reject ‘Let’s Get It On’ Lawsuit
• A PA federal judge denied recording artist Missy Elliott‘s bid for an alternative resolution to her dispute with a producer who claims to be a joint author of some of her music, saying that there are still “significant factual issues” in need of resolving. Missy Elliott’s Bid In Copyright Case Faces Court Setback – Law360
• An attorney for two songwriters who unsuccessfully sued Mariah Carey encouraged a CA federal judge not to impose the full amount of a nearly $186,000 sanctions bid against him and his clients who had alleged Carey’s hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was stolen from their song. Mariah Carey’s $186K Fee Bid Is BigLaw Fantasy, Atty Says – Law360