Entertainment & Sports Law

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

Did News Anchors Have a Steamy Relationship, or Was One a ‘Sociopathic Narcissist’? Jury Will Decide

A defamation suit filed by a fired Philadelphia news anchor against her former network and co-anchor is focusing on whether the two had a steamy relationship, as he claims, or, as she claims, he is a “sociopathic narcissist.” In recent developments, ex-KYW star Alycia Lane, 38, denies deposition claims by…

Apr 4, 2011 7:20 PM CDT

‘Girls Gone Wild’ Founder Goes Lawyerless, Claims Credit for Witness Geometry Quiz

Updated: A press release issued by Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis only hints at the troubles he is facing in a Florida courtroom as he defends himself in a lawsuit filed by four women who say their underage cameos have caused lasting emotional harm. U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak…

Mar 30, 2011 3:32 PM CDT

Bipolar Ex-NFL Star Gets 5 Years in Probation Case; Robbins Famously Went AWOL On ‘03 Superbowl Eve

A “surprisingly upbeat” former National Football League star who has struggled with bipolar disorder and substance abuse was sentenced today in Miami-Dade Circuit Court to five years in prison for violating probation by purchasing cocaine in Texas last year. Barret Robbins was scheduled to play in the 2003 Superbowl as…

Mar 25, 2011 11:26 PM CDT

Lindsay Lohan Rejects Necklace-Theft Plea Deal Including Jail Time, Is Now Headed for Trial

Actress Lindsay Lohan has rejected a plea deal in a much-publicized necklace-theft case that reportedly would have required her to serve at least a minimal amount of time. Instead, the actress is now headed toward a Los Angeles Superior Court trial, assuming that sufficient probable cause to proceed is found…

Mar 23, 2011 11:36 PM CDT

Wealthy Gambler Makes Creative Legal Arguments to Defend Nonpayment of $1.2 Million Debt to Casino

Jerome Powers, CEO and co-chairman of Plum TV, refuses to pay the $1.2 million he owes a Connecticut casino. Powers appears “to be swimming in dough,” ABC News reports. But like so many gamblers, he welshed on his debt. Powers amassed the debt while playing blackjack at the Mohegan Sun…

Mar 23, 2011 10:16 PM CDT

American Idol Contestant Claims in Bias Suit He Was Told to ‘Gay It Up’

An American Idol contestant’s claim that producers told him to “gay it up” is at issue in his third bias lawsuit against the show. Openly gay contestant Ian Benardo alleges that show producers directed him to act effeminate and called him a “fag” and a “homo,” Ad Week reports. His…

Mar 23, 2011 2:13 PM CDT

Judge Cites Privacy Rights, Keeps Juror Names a Secret Until End of Barry Bonds Trial

The federal judge presiding over the perjury trial of Barry Bonds in San Francisco won’t release the names of the jurors until after the verdict. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston cited a ruling by another federal judge who kept juror names secret until the end of the corruption trial of…

Mar 22, 2011 12:14 PM CDT

2L Starts Possible Sports Law Career in a Big Way, Representing Bears Coach Lovie Smith

Matthew Smith is still a second-year student at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. But he’s already a name in the news and thinking about potential conflicts of interest. That’s because he already has a celebrity client for whom he’s negotiated an estimated three-year, $5 million contract—his dad, Chicago Bears…

Mar 21, 2011 10:22 PM CDT

IRS Comes Calling After Astros Fan Wins Year’s Supply of Free Doughnuts

Weight gain isn’t the only hazard of winning a year’s supply of free doughnuts. Houston Astros fan Bob Choate was a winner during fan appreciation day last fall: The prize was a year’s supply of coupons for doughnuts and coffee, the Houston Chronicle reports. Now he’s hearing from the Internal…

Mar 16, 2011 4:05 PM CDT

NFL and Union Hire High-Profile Lawyers, File Legal Actions with NLRB, Minnesota Court

The games move to the legal stage now that the National Football League has announced a lockout after labor negotiations failed to produce a new collective bargaining agreement. The NFL has hired two high-profile lawyers to join NFL outside litigation counsel Gregg Levy of Covington & Burling, according to the…

Mar 14, 2011 12:55 PM CDT

As Potential NFL Lockout Looms, Players Association Decertifies and Seeks Injunction

In a move intended to transfer a labor dispute between National Football League owners and players from the negotiating table to the courtroom, the Players Association today filed paperwork to decertify their union. That will potentially put the group in a position to sue the NFL in court if no…

Mar 12, 2011 1:32 AM CST