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First Amendment Right of Publicity

Does The Topps Presidential Inauguration Pack Have A Right Of Publicity Problem?

On January 21, 2021, The Topps Company, Inc. tweeted, “We captured the Presidential Inauguration action #ToppsNOW style!” with a link to a “full slate” of new cards featuring various prominent celebrities and politicians who took part in the inauguration of President Joe Biden. The most popular card was and undoubtedly will be one of Bernie […]

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First Amendment

Is The Yankees Hair Policy A Violation Of The Constitution?

Former National League MVP and five-time All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen recently stated that the “Yankees’ hair rules take away from our individualism.” McCutchen was traded from Pittsburgh to San Francisco and then again to New York within the span of 2018. McCutchen was a member of the Yankees team after being acquired at the now […]

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First Amendment Intellectual Property

What’s in a Name

Who’s excited about football being back in full swing? Me. As I watched with excitement during week 1 my eyes were particularly fixed on FedExField and the Washington Redskins. I’m a fan. I’ve been one since I can remember and, no matter how many times they let me down, I’ll probably be one until the […]

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Criminal Issues First Amendment Intentional Torts Negligence

HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel Fights Off Defamation Suit

A Manhattan, New York federal jury cleared HBO of defamation charges on May 8th that had been brought by Mitre Sports International, a British sportswear and equipment supplier. HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” aired a segment in 2008, “Children of Industry” that accused Mitre Sports of exploiting child labor as part of its soccer […]

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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 […]

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First Amendment

Former UCLA Bruin Files Lawsuit due to Sports Illustrated Article

The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Earlier this year Sports Illustrated published an article titled “Special Report: Not the U.C.L.A Way” that created quite a stir with its characterization of the UCLA men’s basketball program. The story portrayed the Bruins program as in a period of major decline and being highly dysfunctional.  Coach Ben […]

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First Amendment

Major League Baseball Being Sued by Deer Antler Spray Company

The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. Last Friday, Nutronics Labs filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball in Broward County, Florida. The company claims MLB’s false and misleading statement concerning their deer velvet supplement has led to over twenty million dollars in losses. Nutronics, being represented by Francisco Javier Calvo, contends that in July […]

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First Amendment

A First Amendment Look at Limiting Social Media

The following article was written by Cyle Kiger. In “The Right Balance of Social Media,” I explained a few of the legal implications of how the NCAA and universities could look at monitoring social media.  I came to the conclusion that there should be a moderate amount of monitoring, without a complete ban on social media […]

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First Amendment

UFC in Legal Battle with State of New York

The following article was written by Spencer Wingate. The increasing popularity and growth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has not spread to New York State Legislature. The government believes their ban of mixed martial arts in 1997 is still valid. The ruling stipulated that fighting matches with kicks, punches, or blows to the opponent were […]

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Collective Bargaining Issues First Amendment

Do Professional Athletes Have to Sacrifice Political Views for Obligations to the League CBA?

The following article was written by Cyle Kiger. By now, sports enthusiasts know that Tim Thomas skipped the Boston Bruins White House visit a few days ago.  Thomas is not the first professional player reject the invitation, Ben Wallace and Manny ‘being Manny’ Ramirez also did not attend their teams’ visits.  Thomas’ decision to post his political […]