Entertainment & Sports Law

Federal Judge Grants Injunction Ending Lockout; NFL Seeks Stay, Plans Expedited Appeal

Apparently swayed by the players’ argument that their careers are being irreparably harmed by a National Football League lockout, a federal judge in Minnesota today granted an injunction putting them back to work that was sought as part of an antitrust suit being pursued by the players. However, the NFL…

Apr 25, 2011 10:54 PM CDT

Federal Judge to Review DLA Piper Materials Sought in Roger Clemens Perjury Case

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., is going to do an in camera review of DLA Piper materials sought by the defense team representing renowned former major-league pitcher Roger Clemens in a perjury case. The law firm says the materials, which were developed in connection with an investigation of the…

Apr 21, 2011 11:05 PM CDT

Baseball Commissioner Mulls Possible Use of Contractual Powers to Force Dodgers Sale

It may no longer be Frank McCourt’s ex-wife Jamie who poses the biggest threat to his continued ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Baseball commission Bud Selig not only plans to appoint an individual to oversee the team’s operations but, according to unidentified sources, may use his power to protect…

Apr 20, 2011 9:59 PM CDT

Florida Man Seeks Copyright Compensation for ‘Da-da-da-da-da-da! Charge!’

A Florida man says in a lawsuit that he’s not getting proper compensation for his original composition used by pro sports teams across the nation. The seven-syllable song: “Da-da-da-da-da-da! Charge!” Bobby Kent of Pompano Beach says he wrote the ditty when he was music director for the San Diego Chargers…

Apr 20, 2011 1:48 PM CDT

Law Firm Accused of Revealing Reality Show Winners

A Wisconsin law firm and one of its lawyers are facing a lawsuit claiming they revealed the results of a reality show’s martial arts competition, compromising the show and its commercial value. The suit by Sean Morrison Entertainment names as defendants the La Crosse law firm O’Flaherty Heim Egan &…

Apr 19, 2011 11:17 AM CDT

DOJ Shutters Popular Poker Sites in Crackdown on Online Gambling Operations

Federal authorities on Friday unsealed a sweeping anti-illegal gambling indictment and shuttered popular online poker sites, accusing founders of money laundering and bank fraud. The U.S. Department of Justice seized five of the companies’ domain names, seized accounts and held money stored by players, many of whom make their livings…

Apr 18, 2011 1:10 PM CDT

$4M Verdict, Oral Contract Upheld for Creator of ‘Flip This House’

A 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel has upheld a $4 million jury verdict awarded to a South Carolina real estate broker who created the concept for the A&E reality show Flip This House and had an oral contract to split revenues. Pleased with the Richmond, Va.-based court’s 2-1…

Apr 15, 2011 5:16 PM CDT

Barry Bonds Convicted of Obstruction, Jury Split on Three Perjury Charges

Corrected: Home-run champion Barry Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice yesterday by a federal jury in San Francisco, but the jury was split on three perjury charges related to his alleged use of steroids while playing on Major League Baseball teams. A holdout juror apparently saved him from a…

Apr 14, 2011 12:26 PM CDT

Suit Seeks to Stop Fetish Film Producer from Paying Homeless Men to be Physically Abused By Women

For months, a Florida homeless advocate wondered why so many local men seemed to be walking around a St. Petersburg park with black eyes, split lips and limps. Finally someone told him: They were being beaten and whipped by attractive, sometimes scantily clad women for fetish videos, for payments of…

Apr 13, 2011 2:10 PM CDT

Talking Heads Frontman ‘Feeling Very Manly’ After Winning Song-Use Suit Settlement from Ex-Fla. Gov

A lawsuit brought by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne against former Fla. Governor Charlie Crist over use of his “Road to Nowhere” song in campaign material has been settled. Although all of the terms weren’t disclosed, they include a public apology by Crist that is posted on YouTube, reports the…

Apr 12, 2011 3:23 PM CDT

Bingham Seeks Court Ruling That Firm Met Its Obligations to Ex-Client, LA Dodgers Owner McCourt

Apparently hoping to avert a malpractice claim in a high-profile California marital matter and potentially collect some additional legal fees, Bingham McCutchen has filed suit in Massachusetts state court seeking a declaratory judgment. The firm wants a court to rule that it met its obligations to then-client Frank McCourt, owner…

Apr 12, 2011 10:00 AM CDT

Former University of San Diego Basketball Players Face Federal Point Fixing Charges

At least two former University of San Diego basketball players and an ex-assistant coach were named in an alleged point-fixing scheme, according to an indictment unsealed today. The L.A. Now blog of the Los Angeles Times reports that federal prosecutors claim gamblers bribed players to fix basketball games in 2010…

Apr 11, 2011 8:00 PM CDT

Kelley Drye Opens L.A. Office Through Merger with ‘Wild and Woolly’ Entertainment Firm

Kelley Drye & Warren is opening a sixth U.S. office through a merger with a Los Angeles litigation boutique. Variety carried news of Kelley Drye’s merger with White O’Connor Fink & Brenner, known for its experience in the entertainment industry. Initial news of the merger posted earlier this week at…

Apr 7, 2011 4:23 PM CDT

Alternate Jury Duty Trumps NFL Draft for NY Giants Owner, a Fordham Law Grad

The owner of the New York Giants tried unsuccessfully yesterday to persuade a federal judge that the upcoming NFL draft took precedence over his work as a fourth alternate juror in a Manhattan drug case. John Mara, 56, said he had no problem with serving two weeks, but pointed out…

Apr 6, 2011 6:20 PM CDT

Cleveland Browns Fan Sues NFL over Lockout; Experts Give Suit Little Chance

A Cleveland Browns fan has sued the National Football League, claiming that the lockout and lack of negotiations violated his contract to buy tickets through his personal seat license. The plaintiff is Ken Lanci, the owner of a printing business who ran unsuccessfully for Cuyahoga County chief executive, report the…

Apr 5, 2011 3:50 PM CDT