Categories
Sports Law

How Heitner Legal Assisted Andrew Wiggins

NBA superstar Andrew Wiggins was destined to become one of the most prominent basketball players in the world. The 2014 first overall pick that was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves had many sports agencies knocking on his door to represent him for the draft and thereafter. Ultimately, Wiggins chose agent Bill Duffy and his agency […]

Categories
Contracts Sports Law

Is An NBA Labor Dispute On The Horizon?

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is the contract between the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and the NBA Board of Governors (the commissioner and all thirty owners) that sets out the litany of regulations by which the league operates. The CBA outlines the rules for, among other things, player contracts, trades among […]

Categories
First Amendment

Breaking Down The Defamation Claim In Bernie Fine v. ESPN

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Former Syracuse University Basketball Assistant Coach, Bernie Fine, was fired on November 27, 2011. This firing occurred in the midst of an allegation that Fine had sexually abused former Syracuse ball boys. Initially, on November 17, 2011, Bobby Davis and Michael Lang came forward and accused Bernie […]

Categories
Cyber Law

Cybersquatters in Professional Sports

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Cybersquatting is the registering, trafficking in, or using a domain name with the bad faith intent to profit from the goodwill of a trademark belonging to someone else. The cybersquatter typically offers to sell a domain to a person or company who owns a trademark contained within the […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Winning, Abuse, and Players Being Soft: A Look Inside Billy Gillispie

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Here is the scenario: It is the first day of conditioning for a division one basketball program. Naturally, players come in thinking they are in shape, only to find out that the strength and conditioning coach’s regimen for the team would prove otherwise. The conditioning starts off […]

Categories
NCAA Violations Sexual Assault

Truth or Dare: Should Dezmine Wells be Eligible to play this Season?

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. It all started with a simple game of truth or dare, but ended with an allegation of sexual assault. Dezmine Wells stated that he was playing a game of truth or dare with a fellow student, which led to consensual sex between him and the fellow student. […]

Categories
Intentional Torts

Black Mamba’s Forearm Shiver: Kobe Bryant Settles Assault Lawsuit

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. Are NBA fans sitting courtside too close to the players? On November 15, 2005, the Los Angeles Lakers were visiting the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies beat the Lakers by 12 points, but that wasn’t the biggest story coming from FedEx Forum that evening. During the game, a […]

Categories
Intentional Torts Sexual Assault

Hardwick v. Geno Auriemma, USA Basketball, and the NBA: Assault, Battery, and Employment Discrimination

The following article was written by Benjamin Haynes, Esq. On June 11th 2012, Kelley Hardwick filed a Verified Complaint with a demand for jury trial against Geno Auriemma, USA Basketball Inc. (USAB) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). The lawsuit was brought under the cause of action for employment discrimination against all three Defendants under the […]

Categories
Intellectual Property

Man Sues Kevin Durant for Rights to “Durantula”

The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Kevin Durant is not having an excellent week. Not only must he deal with a defeat to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, but now a lawsuit accusing him of trademark infringement. Musician Mark Durante is suing Durant, K Durant Enterprises, Nike, and Panini America for the […]

Categories
Contractual Issues

Former College Basketball Coach Sues Kennesaw State over Promised Job Offer

The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Kevin Cantwell has filed a lawsuit for unspecified damages against the Georgia Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in Cobb County Superior Court. The lawsuit stems from a meeting he had with his neighborhood friend, Daniel Papp. Cantwell alleges he was offered the Kennesaw State […]