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Good for the Game of Golf? The Merger Heard Round the World
Good for the Game of Golf? The Merger Heard Round the World

The PGA TOUR (“Tour”) has decided to do an about-face that is surrounded by controversy. The Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, has been at the center of the debate due to his zero-tolerance stance for LIV Golf (“LIV”). In June of 2023, the world of golf spun into a frenzy due to the rumblings of, and eventual admission of, the intended merger between the Tour, LIV, and DP World Tour.

By Dwan Samuel
Are NFTs Securities? Examining the Ongoing Dapper Labs 'NBA Topshot' Case
Are NFTs Securities? Examining the Ongoing Dapper Labs 'NBA Topshot' Case

The astronomical rise and downfall of Non-Fungible Tokens ("NFTs") have led to many legal uncertainties surrounding these blockchain-based digital assets. While some leagues, teams, and players have launched their own NFT projects to enhance the fan experience, such as digital commemorative tickets or access to fan communities, a few NFT projects have been caught in the legal crossfire. One of those companies tied up in a lawsuit is Dapper Labs, which has licensing deals with the NBA, NFL, and UFC. Read more about Dapper Labs' NBA Top Shot lawsuit here. 

By Josh Goldberg, SLA Next Gen Committee Member
Dear College Sports
Dear College Sports

Boy did I love you.  Regional play with long-standing rivalries.  Home and away with conference games that did not burden athletes with the long travel that could, heaven forbid, impact studies, (and bowl games don’t count!).   Alas, that is fast becoming a memory as the Pac 12 (let alone Pac 10 or my beloved Pac 8) has an expiration date as UCLA and USC announced that as of ’24 they are both off to the Big Ten.  One can only surmise that the logistics and stresses of East Coast games are all worth the bigger payday for being a part of the Big Ten.  Cynical?  Absolutely.

By Bobby Hacker, SLA Past President
Facial Recognition in Sports Venues and Lessons Learned from FTC Cybersecurity Enforcement Actions
Facial Recognition in Sports Venues and Lessons Learned from FTC Cybersecurity Enforcement Actions

The future of in-venue sports technology will continue to transform the in-person experience at live sporting events. Specifically, facial recognition technology has played a significant role in that transformation. Facial recognition technology has evolved, allowing fans to scan their faces to enter venues, pick-up mobile orders, and make purchases at concession stands.

By Raul Muniz, SLA NextGen Committee Member
2023 Diverse Reading Book List
2023 Diverse Reading Book List

As the Sports Lawyers Association embraces our diverse membership and encourages our members to live with pride, we are excited to announce the 2023 Diversity Reading Book List!

Check out this year's Diversity Reading Book List!

NCAA First Ever NIL-Era Sanctions
NCAA First Ever NIL-Era Sanctions

February 2023: the month in which we celebrated Black History; the month of love; and the month in which the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) issued its first-ever penalties for name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) violations. Ten (10) months since the inception of the Interim NIL Policy, the NCAA found that the head coach of the University of Miami, Florida (hereinafter, “Miami”) women's basketball team violated the NCAA rules by facilitating impermissible contact between two team prospects and a booster, as well as violating regulations on publicity before signing. The NCAA determined that there were violations as it relates to the rules on a head coach’s responsibility.

By Maria Aiello, SLA Next Gen Committee Member
Was Kyrie Irving's Suspension from the Nets a Violation of Labor Law?
Was Kyrie Irving's Suspension from the Nets a Violation of Labor Law?

From his franchise-history-making signing back in 2019 to last week’s move to the Dallas Mavericks, Kyrie Irving has continuously made both himself and the Brooklyn Nets the main topic of discourse surrounding the sport. Among these discussions were allegations of Irving spreading antisemitic rhetoric, when he received public backlash after posting a link to a film on his social media. 

By Lauren Mattice, SLA NextGen Committee Member
Profiting from Student-Athletes' Biometric Data and the Legal Landscape
Profiting from Student-Athletes' Biometric Data and the Legal Landscape

Athlete biometric data refers to an athlete's physical or physiological characteristics, such as heart rate, body temperature, or sleep patterns. The aggregation and measurements of athlete biometric data can be extremely valuable for various purposes, including improving an athlete's performance and detecting oncoming injuries. Wearable technologies provide valuable insights to student-athletes and coaches, who can track student-athlete performance through smartwatches, sensors, and other equipment.

By Raul J. Muniz, SLA Member
Dear College Sports:
Dear College Sports:

Boy did I love you.  Regional play with long-standing rivalries.  Home and away with conference games that did not burden athletes with the long travel that could, heaven forbid, impact studies, (and bowl games don’t count!).   Alas, that is fast becoming a memory as the Pac 12 (let alone Pac 10 or my beloved Pac 8) has an expiration date as UCLA and USC announced that as of ’24 they are both off to the Big Ten.  One can only surmise that the logistics and stresses of East Coast games are all worth the bigger payday for being a part of the Big Ten.  Cynical?  Absolutely.

By Bobby Hacker, Robert A. Hacker, Attorney at Law and Sports Media Consulting
Cryptocurrency Awards and Management for Athletes and Entertainers
Cryptocurrency Awards and Management for Athletes and Entertainers

Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology are rapidly transforming the world

By Torrey Feldman, Rockridge Venture Law®