It was recently announced that the Chicago Bears’ plans for a new stadium in Arlington Heights have stalled after the team submitted a plan asking for $862 million in funding for public infrastructure.[i] The Illinois state legislature adjourned its fall session without approving the necessary funding. Therefore, the team will now have to wait... Continue Reading →
Last Monday, George Aivazoglou, the NBA’s managing director for Europe and the Middle East, revealed that the league has a goal of launching a European league by October 2027.[i] At a conference organized by an Italian news outlet, Aivazoglou named 12 “big European cities” the league is eyeing: London, Manchester, Paris, Lyon, Madrid, Barcelona,... Continue Reading →
Last week, the Baltimore Ravens were fined $100k for violating the NFL’s injury report protocols.1 The Ravens listed Lamar Jackson as a “full participant” for practice on October 24th; however, he only ran the scout team.2 A day later, the Ravens changed Lamar’s practice participation to “limited” and ruled him out.3 The NFL’s policy states:... Continue Reading →
Dozens of suspicious bets made by gamblers were recently flagged by sportsbooks.1 These suspicious bets were made “against the same small-conference teams in at least 11 men’s college basketball games over six weeks last season.”2 The NCAA and federal authorities have been investigating “alleged point-shaving in college basketball.”3 The new documents reveal alleged gambling in... 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 →
Last Thursday, the NFL began reviewing the concussion protocol for New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.1 The review started during the second half of the New York Giants’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles.2 The league announced that the NFL Players Association would also join the review.3 A league source told ESPN that Coach Brian Daboll,... Continue Reading →
Few lawyers have reshaped the world of sports as profoundly as Jeffrey L. Kessler, Co-Executive Chairman of Winston & Strawn LLP. Kessler, recognized as one of the nation’s leading antitrust and sports lawyers, has built a career successfully challenging entrenched power structures in professional and collegiate athletics. Finding Sports Law by Chance Kessler did not... Continue Reading →
As professional sports venues continue modernizing the fan experience, biometric and facial-authentication systems are emerging as the newest tool to streamline stadium entry. The Buffalo Bills appear to be preparing for this innovation, as reflected in the team’s public privacy policy, which acknowledges the potential collection of biometric information if fans choose to participate in... Continue Reading →
Skylar Thompson, the backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was recently involved in a “situation” at the Irish capital.1 Neither the team nor the police have confirmed reports that he was robbed.2 The Irish police stated that no formal complaint has been filed, and it has not been established that there was an actual robbery.3... 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 →