The Ravens beat the clock this week by re-signing star defensive lineman Travis Jones to a three-year contract. Jones has enjoyed a breakout season this year, and the $40.5 million figure that the Ravens presented him reflects his value. But, up until the extension, Jones and the NFLPA had been fighting the league in a... Continue Reading →
According to Buffalo Sabres Vice President of Legal Affairs David Zygaj, the defining feature of his role is that each day usually presents a new challenge. I interviewed Zygaj a few days ago to discuss his role as in-house counsel and his views on the future of sports law. He told me that the issues... Continue Reading →
Collective bargaining disputes in professional sports usually evoke images of lockouts, delayed seasons, and looming deadlines. Nonetheless, the East Coast Hockey League (“ECHL”), the minor hockey league sitting two levels below the NHL, is currently playing the 2025-26 season under a collective bargaining agreement that has already expired. The prior CBA expired after the 2024-25... Continue Reading →
The trading card industry’s legal landscape took a turn this month as Wild Card Inc. filed an antitrust suit accusing Panini America of years of attempting to box-out emerging competitors.[1] The suit adds a second major federal case to Panini’s docket, as Panini is still in the process of asserting its own monopolization claims against... Continue Reading →
Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, is facing allegations that he helped facilitate an improper payment arrangement in order to land Kawhi Leonard in 2019.[1] The claims are being brought by multiple investors in Aspiration (now known as Catona Climate), a financial services and sustainability startup that has partnered with many athletes and entertainers... Continue Reading →
Former All-Pro running back Doug Martin passed away on October 18, and the circumstances of his death have reignited concerns for the NFL’s lack of care for the mental health of former players.[1] According to his family, Martin had been experiencing a mental-health crisis: his parents called police for help after he left home in a... Continue Reading →
As the impending October 31 deadline to agree on a new CBA approaches, the WNBA and its players’ union (the WNBPA) remain locked in tense negotiations; and it’s not looking good.[i] Regarding the parties’ chances of finding an agreement, the WNBPA’s senior advisor and legal counsel Erin Drake told ESPN last week, "Unfortunately, I'm not confident."[ii] Tensions... Continue Reading →
In a rare dispute reaching beyond the playing field, Cary McNair Jr., son of late Houston Texans owner Bob McNair Sr. and brother of current owner Cal McNair, has filed a lawsuit against the NFL in New York Supreme Court seeking over $100 million in damages.[1] The complaint alleges that the NFL and Cal McNair... Continue Reading →
In a previous post, I discussed why and how the NHL disciplined the five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Juniors team who were acquitted of sexual assault charges in July. The league relied on Article 18-A of the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, which allows the Commissioner to punish "conduct that is detrimental to the... Continue Reading →
The NFL fined Eagles running back Saquon Barkley $46,371 for lowering his head and making helmet-first contact with Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner.[1] The hit was not penalized during the game and appeared innocuous on first sight, but the league issued discipline after reviewing the play on film.[2] The amount of the fine matches the requirement for a... Continue Reading →