K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - April 2025 #2

Sports:

• UFC has urged a Nevada federal court not to certify a class of fighters in the second antitrust lawsuit it is facing over allegedly suppressed wages, saying the class is legally defective because the plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit cannot represent the group of fighters. UFC Asks Court To Deny Class Cert. In Fighters’ Antitrust Suit – Law360
• Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defended the city’s plan to invest roughly $100 million into a public-private rehab of White Stadium amid federal funding uncertainty that she previously said is leading her to assemble as “lean” a budget as possible. ‘We deserve this’: Boston Mayor Wu defends $100M taxpayer tab for White Stadium amid budget crunch – Boston Herald

NCAA

• Former University of Michigan quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss is facing another lawsuit, this time by eleven women who claim Weiss invaded their privacy and obtained intimate photos and videos. Former University of Michigan quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss faces another lawsuit – CBS

MLB

• The Washington Nationals are approaching a settlement with two men who filed a proposed class action accusing the organization of being biased against older fans following an offer of discounted tickets to millennials. Nationals Nearing Settlement Over Alleged Ticket Sale Bias – Law360
• The Atlanta Braves agreed to settle a suit alleging they turned down an information technology director candidate because they believed his deafness would have caused issues for the organization, according to a filing in Georgia federal court. MLB Club Settles Deaf Job Seeker’s Discrimination Suit – Law360

NBA

• Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor will not appeal an arbitration ruling that did not go in his favor. Minnesota Timberwolves, Lynx sale to Alex Rodriguez group finally looks set to go through – USA Today

Entertainment:

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Actor and comedian Russell Brand has been charged with rape, indecent assault and sexual assault relating to four different women. Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assault
• A NY federal judge dismissed a woman’s lawsuit accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs of violently assaulting and raping her at a party in NYC, noting that the woman didn’t sue using her real name despite a court order requiring that she do so. Diddy lawsuit dismissed after accuser refuses to reveal identity

MUSIC

• President Donald Trump and his 2024 campaign were denied an early exit from a suit over their use of the 1966 song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” as a GA federal judge ruled that the estate of soul artist Isaac Hayes plausibly alleged it held the rights to the song he co-authored. Donald Trump Can’t Dismiss Isaac Hayes Copyright Lawsuit, Judge Rules
• Pop star Mariah Carey said that two songwriters should be sanctioned $186,000 for filing court papers that were deemed frivolous by the CA federal judge who tossed their copyright infringement lawsuit over her 1994 holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Mariah Carey asks for legal fees in ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ case | Reuters
• Musical artist Pitbull’s record label settled a copyright lawsuit that accused his song “I Feel Good” of copying the melody, rhythm, and more from a work called “Samir’s Theme,” according to a federal court order. Pitbull’s Record Label Settles Copyright Suit Over ‘I Feel Good’