K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (November 12, 2024)

Sports:

NCAA

• Diego Pavia became the latest college athlete to sue the NCAA. While many past NCAA lawsuits have concerned NIL, the Vanderbilt football quarterback is seeking an extra year of eligibility. His argument, in court documents filed Friday, concerns his two years at a junior college and the fact that NIL opportunities are scarce at that level. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt football and how past NCAA eligibility lawsuits played out – USA Today
• The Eleventh Circuit declined to revive longtime women’s basketball coach MaChelle Joseph‘s discrimination and retaliation claims against Georgia Tech, concluding Thursday that Title IX does not provide an implied right of action for sex discrimination in employment. 11th Circ. Affirms Judgment Against Fired Ga. Tech Coach – Law360

NBA

• Shaquille O’Neal and digital asset holders who sued the basketball legend have fully settled a proposed class action over his Astrals and Galaxy nonfungible tokens’ diminished value, subject to a court’s approval, according to a mediator. Shaquille O’Neal Settles Class Action Over Astrals, Galaxy NFTs – Bloomberg
• Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has long been as impactful off the court as he is on it and one of his biggest business ventures has been the creation of the SpringHill Company. This is an entertainment and production company that was started back in 2020 by LeBron and his business partner Maverick Carter. Lakers Rumors: LeBron James’ SpringHill Company In Merger Talks With British Company Fulwell 73 – Laker’s Nation

NHL

• When Jake McCabe signed a five-year extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs last week, he became the third NHL player in a matter of months to deploy a little-used mechanism in the league’s collective bargaining agreement by deferring two salary payments beyond the length of the contract. Are payment deferrals the new big thing in NHL contracts? What execs, agents say – The Athletic

NASCAR

• A federal judge on Friday denied a motion by two NASCAR teams — one owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan — to be recognized as chartered teams as they proceed in an antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series and chairman Jim France. Jordan’s NASCAR team among 2 denied charter status amid lawsuit – ESPN

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• A French digital music business has been hit with a $500 million suit in NY federal court that claims it has been ripping off copyrighted song recordings owned by companies such as Universal Music Group by distributing allegedly manipulated tracks to social media platforms. UMG Sues Believe and TuneCore for $500 Million in Copyright Violations
• Nicole Scherzinger and Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin settled their 3-year legal battle over the girl group’s canceled reunion tour. Exclusive | Nicole Scherzinger, Pussycat Dolls founder settle lawsuits
• A CA federal judge said that she is “inclined” to grant Mariah Carey and others a victory in a copyright infringement suit over her song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and sanction the plaintiffs after the pop singer’s side alleged they made legally frivolous arguments. Judge ‘Inclined’ to Rule in Mariah Carey’s Favor in Copyright Suit
• Rappers GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Soulja Boy copied music from the 2008 song “Me & My Goons,” according to a lawsuit filed by a group of composers and songwriters. Plies Sues Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla Over Soulja Boy Sample

FILM & TELEVISION

• Former U.S. Rep. George Santos asked the 2^nd Circuit to undo a NY federal court’s decision throwing out his claims against ABC and Jimmy Kimmel over video clips the late-night host tricked the ex-congressman into making, arguing that the suit was prematurely tossed. George Santos Appeals Dismissed Case Against Jimmy Kimmel – LateNighter
• An IN federal judge ruled that Netflix can’t exclude evidence of third-party statements in a suit accusing the entertainment giant of wrongly revealing the identities of the biological children of a rogue fertility doctor in the Our Father documentary, saying the statements were not inadmissible hearsay. Netflix Jury Will Hear Victim ID Evidence In ‘Our Father’ Trial – Law360