K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - October 2024

Sports:

NCAA

• Lawyers involved with a proposed multi-billion-dollar settlement of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases against the NCAA and the Power Five conferences filed documents on Thursday that included small, but potentially significant, changes aimed at convincing a federal judge to grant preliminary approval for the agreement. Lawyers in NCAA athlete-compensation antitrust cases adjust settlement proposal with judge – USA Today
• A former USC star and Heisman Trophy winner has filed a lawsuit against his alma mater, the NCAA, and Pac-12 Conference over exploitation of his NIL (name, image, and likeness) during his time with the Trojans. The lawsuit is similar to one filed this summer by players from the 1983 NC State men’s basketball team. Reggie Bush Suing NCAA Again, This Time for NIL Back Pay – Front Office Sports

NFL

• Current Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Mike Pennel Jr. and his dog breeder girlfriend are suing the widow of late Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins for defamation after she allegedly publicly accused them of being frauds and stealing her dogs. NFL QB Haskin’s Widow Defamed Dog Breeder, Suit Says – Law360

MLB

• Attorneys for 18-year-old baseball fan, Max Matus, filed a lawsuit against Goldin Auctions and the man who ended up with Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run baseball, disputing who rightfully possessed the ball in the stands. Baseball fan files lawsuit against man who ended up with Ohtani’s 50th home run ball, requests court stop auction – The Athletic

NBA

• Former NBA superstar Dwight Howard told a Manhattan federal jury Thursday that an Atlanta businessman tricked him into making a $7 million investment that he thought was for the purchase of a women’s basketball franchise, a promise that turned out to be “a slap in the face.” Ex-NBA Star Tells Jury He Was Duped By Ga. Businessman – Law360

UFC

• Ultimate Fighting Championship said on Thursday that it has agreed to pay $375 million to settle a decade-old class action claiming it artificially suppressed wages of some martial arts fighters, after a U.S. judge rejected an earlier deal for a smaller amount. UFC agrees to new $375 million settlement in fighters’ class action – Reuters

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• A CA federal jury handed rapper T.I. a victory in the third trial over his claims against MGA Entertainment, awarding his side more than $71.4 million in compensatory and punitive damages for infringing the trade dress and publicity rights of the OMG Girlz pop group he co-owns with seven of MGA’s O.M.G. dolls. T.I., Tiny Win $71 Million Lawsuit Against MGA Entertainment (deadline.com)
• Mariah Carey and Sony Music Entertainment hope to finally put to bed a copyright infringement suit over the now-decades-old Christmas hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” telling a CA federal judge this week that the accusing musicians have not shown the similarities are anything more than common holiday tropes. Mariah Carey says ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ song-theft case based on “an unprotectable jumble” of musical elements (completemusicupdate.com)
• The owner of the unofficial Houston anthem “Still Tippin'” told a Harris County court this week that rapper Mike Jones and others have ripped off his 2002 song for use by the Houston Texans football team without his permission. Rapper Says Mike Jones, Houston Texans Stole Song – Law360

MEANWHILE, IN HOLLYWOOD…

• Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was hit with a civil suit in NY federal court alleging he and his former head of security raped a woman in 2001, recorded the assault and later disseminated the video. Diddy Faces New Civil Lawsuit, Claiming He Filmed ‘Brutal Attack’ (billboard.com)
• Former reality TV star Julie Chrisley asked a GA federal judge on Friday to resentence her to no more than five years for her role in a $36 million tax evasion and fraud scheme, arguing against prosecutors’ insistence that the seven-year sentence she was previously given be kept intact. ‘A model inmate’: Julie Chrisley seeks reduced prison sentence (ajc.com)
• Prosecutorial misconduct that tanked the Rust shooting case against actor Alec Baldwin should also unravel the involuntary manslaughter conviction of the Western film’s armorer, her lawyer told a NM state judge during a hearing. Judge hears arguments in Hannah Gutierrez-Reed case – KOB.com