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Richard Sherman, the Law, and the Use of Language
I realize that everyone has hopped onboard this story, including overseas outlets such as The Guardian, but I thought I might bring a little different perspective to Sherman’s rant. Sherman was...
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How the U.S. is Different: Gay Rights in Russia
I had a wonderful tour of Russia last summer. The land brims with energy and yes, beauty. It is also a very scary place. ESPN Online has a comprehensive story today on LGBT laws in Russia, many of...
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Jason Collins Redux: Progress, One Basket at a Time
Jason Collins is back in the NBA, having signed a 10 day contract with the Nets. Seems about right that a Brooklyn team breaks yet another barrier. Such 10-day contracts are not uncommon for aging...
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Student-Athlete Suit Filed Against NCAA: Are We at the Tipping Point?
As reported by CBS News, there is yet another suit against the NCAA arguing that anti-trust is being violated by not paying college athletes. We have been following these suits, and folks, this one...
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Big Firm Versus Little Firm: One Size Does Not Fit All
Sports Business Journal recently ran an article on top NFL draft picks going to smaller agencies to represent them. I will not steal the thunder from the article, but the gist is that athletes expect...
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Raging Court; SCOTUS Decides That Laches Does Not Apply to Copyright Cases
“Raging Bull” is considered by most critics to be one of the finest, if not the finest American movie of the 80s. It’s also probably the best sports film of all time, a biopic of a boxer named Jake...
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Rory McIlroy V. Horizon Sports
Weeks ago, Rory McIlroy took a self-imposed hiatus from tournament golf to prepare for trial against his former management company Horizon Sports. He has since played in tournaments, but will have to...
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“an Oral Contract Isn’t Worth the Paper It’s Printed On”: NBA Style
This famous (and incorrectly reported) quote is attributed to Samuel Goldwyn of MGM fame. The response is “It depends.” DeAndre Jordan of the L.A. Clippers told everyone that he was going to sign with...
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Five Things That a Good Lawyer Could Do for the Women’s Soccer Team
One of our fine associates just returned from the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in Vancouver. Heady, exciting event. If I were advising the women on the team, I would suggest that they take a look...
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Five Tips for Young Lawyers Interested in Practicing Sports and Entertainment...
I hear from young lawyers at least twice a month, interested in practicing in sports and entertainment law. I generally talk with them, unless they call wanting me to come up with a topic for their law...
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Former Head Coach Steve Sarkisian Sues USC
As featured in the Los Angeles Times former USC football coach Steve Sarkisian has filed suit against the university, claiming it threw him under the bus. Time will tell, as in all lawsuits, but...
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Monmouth State: Since When Was Fun Illegal?
I went to see my beloved UCLA Bruins lose to Monmouth State from the great state of New Jersey. It was a surprise that the Bruins have redeemed themselves by beating both Kentucky and Gonzaga. While...
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Back to Basics: The Differences Amongst Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents
When I go to parties and describe what I do, one of the most common responses is, “Oh, so you are a patent lawyer.” Actually, I am not. There are differences amongst copyright, trademark and patent...
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Back to Basics: Assumption of the Risk
You are with your girlfriend at the baseball game. The foul ball is coming toward you and it is your great chance to impress. You have your Mickey Mantle mitt that your dad gave you. The ball is...
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Back to Basics: Product Liability
So you are the hot new prospect for the “Minnesota Mud Hens”. Your arch-rival “Wisconsin Webmasters” base stealer comes in cleats up and hits your leg at second base. Blood everywhere. The team doc...
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Litigation is a Process, or “Don’t Spend That Money Until the Last Appeal...
T.J. Simers, late of the Los Angeles Times, was a talented sports columnist until he was no longer there. He said he was constructively discharged and discriminated against for his age. He sued and got...
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Back to Basics: Nominative Fair Use
As a start to the new year, let’s take a look at the legal doctrine of “nominative fair use.” This doctrine essentially says that you shouldn’t be sued for simply describing something, even though...
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What an Athlete Should Look for in a Litigator
When you are looking at bringing a lawsuit or defending one, what are you looking for? Are you looking to carpet bomb the other side, or are you aiming for a business-like solution to a problem. While...
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Equal Pay for Substantially Equivalent Work
California passed legislation effective the first of this year stating that people who do substantially equivalent work have to be paid the same. There are certain “ifs, ands and buts” but that is the...
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What Price Fame? Erin Andrews, Hulk Hogan and Dave Stewart
One of my law school professors was Michael Josephson. He has an institute of ethics and used to have a radio show called “Character Counts.” When an athlete fell down the ladder of a draft, he would...
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