K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (May 26, 2023)
May 26, 2023, 09:00 AM- U.S. House of Representatives this week saw a “discussion draft” of a college-sports bill that would address athletes’ name, image and likeness (NIL) activities and provide schools legal protection that is being sought by the NCAA; the “discussion draft” has already been circulated among college sports officials and other members of Congress – College-sports, NIL bill expected to bring big changes, letter says (usatoday.com)
- A significant development in the implementation of FIFA’s new Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) and required examination, as a German court has ordered an injunction stopping the new FFAR from being implemented into the German Football Association (DFB) until the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled on the matter with the District Court of Dortmund finding that the FFAR contain an anti-competitive element, which was enough to allow restrictions on competition – Injunction granted in Germany over new FIFA regulations and entry exam – The Athletic
- In another example of fully understanding the tax implications for athletes involving where they play, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, and National Football League players’ unions urged a Pennsylvania appeals court to uphold a trial court ruling striking down as unconstitutional Pittsburgh’s 3% “jock tax” on visiting athletes – Professional Athletes Criticize Pittsburgh ‘Jock Tax’ on Appeal (bloomberglaw.com)
- The next player-turned-sports franchise owner, Tom Brady, has reached an agreement with Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis to join the NFL franchise’s ownership as a part-owner becoming only the third former player to become an owner of an NFL franchise – Tom Brady reaches agreement to buy ownership stake in Raiders – ESPN
- Major League Baseball’s Commissioner, Rob Manfred, is set to offer live testimony in a hearing over television broadcast contract obligations by the bankrupt operator of the Bally Sports regional sports networks, which is arguing the deals come at too high a price for the value the company realizes from broadcasting the games – MLB Commissioner To Testify In Bally Sports Ch. 11 TV Fight – Law360
- LIV Golf v. PGA Tour
- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the owner and financial benefactor of LIV Golf, has made another bid to escape the heated breach of contract court battle between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, arguing that the judge should dismiss the counterclaims against the operation because sovereign immunity protects it from being drawn into the bitter dispute – Saudi Fund Moves To Toss Counterclaims In PGA Tour Row – Law360
- The California federal judge overseeing the LIV Golf v. PGA Tour case, then refused the PGA Tour’s bid to delay discovery deadlines in the high-stakes antitrust litigation against LIV Golf pending the outcome of LIV’s Saudi backers’ subpoena fight at the Ninth Circuit, emphasizing the importance of preserving evidence now and telling counsel “we need to move this along.” – PGA, LIV Discovery Must ‘Move Along’ Amid 9th Circ. Fight – Law360
- The NCAA urged a California federal judge to toss a proposed class action from former volunteer coaches who claim an NCAA bylaw limiting the number of paid coaches Division I schools may hire amounts to illegal wage fixing with the NCAA arguing the group of volunteer coaches has failed to show how the rules caused them any injury – NCAA Says Volunteers Not Harmed By Limit On Paid Coaches – Law360