K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (April 21, 2023)
- Two developments have arisen in the sale process of the Washington Commanders:
- First, the terms of the agreement have been forwarded to the league and other owners for review which included an indemnification provision to partially protect Dan Snyder from legal liability based on the outcomes of the various legal investigations currently underway into the organization and Snyder - Commanders sale agreement sent to NFL includes indemnity provision for Snyder: Source - The Athletic –
- Second, legal counsel for over 40 former Commanders employees have asked NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to add a waiver of claims provision to the pending sale of the franchise that would bar Daniel Snyder from suing accusers who participated in the several misconduct investigations surrounding Snyder and the Commanders - Attorneys ask NFL to bar Dan Snyder from suing accusers as condition of Commanders sale - The Athletic
- House of Representatives passed the bill that would ban transgender athletes whose assigned sex at birth was male from competing on girls' or women's sports teams at federally supported schools and colleges; however, the legislation is not expected to pass the Democratic led Senate or a Presidential Veto - House passes trans athlete ban; bill not expected to advance (espn.com)
- In court filings for the breach-of-contract suit initially filed by Warner Bros. Discovery earlier this year, Paramount counterclaimed that Warner violated their agreement over the streaming rights to the animated comedy "South Park" and seeks $52 million in damages - 'South Park' Streaming Rights Lawsuit: Paramount Fires Back - Variety
- The PGA Tour argued in court filings that the Ninth Circuit cannot yet rule on Saudi Arabia's appeal of a subpoena it received as part of the heated antitrust fight between the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour until the Saudis refuse to comply and have been held in contempt - PGA Says Saudi Wealth Fund Can't Appeal Subpoena Yet - Law360
- The WNBA has inked a new TV rights deal with Ion that will complement the TV packages already in place intended to increase brand exposure and additional revenue streams over time - WNBA's new TV deal, explained: 3 reasons why the partnership with Ion is a win for the league | Sporting News
- Members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) voted 98% in favor of authorizing a strike if a new agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers is not agreed before May 1, 2023, with the WGA’s Pattern of Demands including, among other items, improved compensation and residuals, and increased contributions to health and pension plans - Writers Guild Members Vote To Authorize Strike If No Deal By May 1 – Deadline
- The Higher Education Committee of the California legislature has given its stamp of approval on the College Athlete Protection Act, a bill that would give college athletes a percentage of their teams' revenues and intended to protect their well-being and best interests - College Athletes' Rights Bill Advances Out Of Committee - Law360
- More wrinkles unfolded in the legal battles in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) when owners of a former MiLB affiliated franchise (that lost its Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliation when MLB contracted franchise affiliation) filed a lawsuit against another MiLB owner accusing it of “selling them out” in contraction talks in order to boost the value of his own franchise by $40 million - Minor League Owners Say Colleague 'Stabbed' Them In Back - Law360
- The Texas bankruptcy court overseeing the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy proceedings approved an extension of a cash use order for the bankrupt television network ordering the company to pay half of the money it owes to Major League Baseball teams for broadcast rights up front, with the balance to be determined pending the outcome of a contractual dispute next month - Diamond Sports To Front Half Of MLB TV Money In Ch. 11 - Law360
- After playing just one season at the University of Miami (after transferring from Fresno State), Haley and Hanna Cavinder decided to end their college basketball careers and focus on new ventures capitalizing on their tremendous NIL successes including deals with the WWE and Betr - Cavinder Twins Are Using NIL Deals To Pave Post-College Careers (frontofficesports.com)
- After finishing in the Top-20 at The Masters, Texas A&M golfer Sam Bennett may not have been able to pocket any winnings as he is required to remain “amateur” but he is reaping the rewards in the form of NIL from a new deal with T-Mobile - Masters breakout amateur Sam Bennett sees first sign of Augusta bump with new NIL deal | Golf News and Tour Information | GolfDigest.com
