K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup (December 17, 2024)

Sports:

• Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped – AP
• A Florida federal judge has sentenced a former ESPN Radio host to almost four years in prison for tricking investors into sending him $5.1 million for a sham ticket reselling business. Former ESPN Radio Host Gets Prison For $5M Ticket Scheme – Law360

NCAA

• The NCAA, Pac-12 Conference and USC are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by former Trojans star running back Reggie Bush on the grounds that his claims of antitrust violations and lost name, image and likeness compensation from his Heisman-winning tenure at USC come “at least a decade and a half too late.” NCAA, Pac-12 and USC seek dismissal of Reggie Bush’s lawsuit over lost NIL pay – LA Times
• Rivalry Week kicked off with Michigan taking on Ohio State at their home stadium. With the Wolverines pulling off the victory, players from Michigan planted their flag squarely in the center of Ohio Stadium. This resulted in a massive brawl involving players on both sides. Lawmaker Wants to Make Planting Flag at Ohio Stadium a Felony Following Massive Brawl – Newsweek

NFL

• The National Football League, the Justice Department, the FBI and other agencies will call on Congress on Tuesday to expand U.S. government authority to detect and destroy drones that could pose security threats over stadiums and other locations. NFL, Justice Department urge Congress to take action on threat from drones – Reuters
• Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who in October reached an out-of-court settlement with a woman in Texas who sued him for sexual assault and battery, will not face punishment by the NFL. NFL Drops Watson Assault Case, Guaranteed Contract Intact – Sportico

GOLF

• More than 18 months after the initial framework agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf‘s financial backers was announced, the two parties are appearing to make headway towards a deal. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is nearing a deal to acquire a minority stake in PGA Tour Enterprises. PGA Tour, LIV Golf’s financial backers nearing long-awaited private investment agreement, per report – CBS Sports

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• The 2^nd Circuit rejected a bid to rehear an appeal of musician Ed Sheeran’s win in a suit accusing him of copying Marvin Gaye’s soul classic “Let’s Get It On” in the 2014 hit song “Thinking Out Loud.” Ed Sheeran Beats ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Lawsuit Appeal Request

FILM & TELEVISION

• Warner Bros. Discovery and Comcast’s UK and European subsidiaries settled their contract dispute over co-production of a new Harry Potter television series as part of a new long-term distribution deal between the two media giants. Comcast, Warner Bros. Discovery Settle Lawsuit Over Harry Potter Show
• The Writers Guild of America called on several major entertainment studios to swiftly take legal action against technology companies they assert are stealing writers’ works to train artificial intelligence systems and making billions of dollars from the “wholesale theft.” Writers Guild Tells Studios to Take Legal Action Against AI Companies
• Cast members of the Netflix reality series Love Is Blind are employees under federal labor law, the NLRB’s Minneapolis office alleged in a complaint, claiming the producers have unlawful provisions in agreements demanding thousands of dollars if participants quit the reality show or breach the pacts. ‘Love is Blind’ contestants are employees, Labor Board says, a first for reality TV | CNN Business
• Paula Abdul told a CA state court she has reached a settlement to resolve claims the executive producer behind American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance sexually assaulted her repeatedly during her years as a judge on the reality competition shows. Paula Abdul settles lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by Nigel Lythgoe

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Three men filed new suits against Sean “Diddy” Combs, each claiming that the hip-hop mogul got them drunk, drugged them and raped them in recent years, according to complaints filed in New York County Supreme Court. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sued by Three Men for Sexual Assault Meanwhile, the rapper abandoned his final avenue for pursuing bail amid racketeering and sex-trafficking charges Friday, agreeing to remain jailed through his scheduled May 2025 trial in New York federal court. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs abandons attempt to get released on bail – ABC News
• A CA judge held three of Ye’s companies in default for failing to retain counsel in litigation from a former teacher at the Donda Academy private school, the latest sanction for nonresponsiveness in a slew of employment suits against the rapper previously known as Kanye West. Judge enters default judgment in suit against Kanye West’s private school – Los Angeles Times
• Filmmaker Woody Allen fired a personal chef because he repeatedly complained he wasn’t being properly paid and had to take time off to participate in military exercises as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, according to a lawsuit filed in NY federal court. Woody Allen Soon-Yi Previn Personal Chef Lawsuit Explained
• Cardi B has asked a FL bankruptcy court to dismiss the Chapter 11 case of YouTuber Tasha K, saying she deliberately hid her assets to frustrate the rapper’s efforts at collecting on a $3.8 million defamation verdict. Cardi B Asks Judge to Dismiss Tasha K’s Bankruptcy Case
• A Hollywood movie producer urged the 11^th Circuit to revive his defamation suit against The Hollywood Reporter over a story about a feud with another producer, but the appellate judges voiced skepticism about his argument that FL law, and not CA law, applies to the claim. Hollywood producer argues at 11th Circuit to keep defamation case in Florida | Courthouse News Service
• A CA federal judge has denied, for now, Garth Brooks‘ bid to toss his former hair and makeup artist’s L.A. rape suit in favor of dealing with the allegations in the MS court where the country music star is leveling related extortion claims. Garth Brooks Can’t Yet Move Rape Claims Out Of California – Law360
• A movie producer urged the 11th Circuit to revive his copyright claims against YouTube, arguing that the platform has a duty under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to locate additional infringing clips in its video library after receiving a takedown notice. Movie Producer Asks 11th Circ. To Reverse YouTube’s IP Win – Law360