K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - September 2025

Sports:

• A Connecticut federal judge has stayed a lawsuit challenging transgender inclusion policies in high school sports, except for the written discovery the parties have said is nearly done, until the U.S. Supreme Court issues two rulings on the topic. Trans Athlete Inclusion Case Paused Pending Justices’ Ruling – Law360
• A group of professional tennis players is contesting bids by the organizers of two of the sport’s largest competitive events to toss the players’ union from their New York federal antitrust suit and forcibly make them arbitrate their claims accusing the organizers of running an illegal “cartel.” Tennis Players Oppose Sending Antitrust Suit To Arbitration – Law360
• Virginia sports officials now have stronger legal protection against assault thanks to a new law that went into effect July 1, making it a Class 1 misdemeanor to attack referees and umpires. New Virginia law protects sports officials from assault with criminal penalties – WTVR

NCAA

• A Democratic U.S. lawmaker sent a letter to leaders at the more than 350 Division I schools across the country Monday, warning of a two-tier college sports system with haves and have-nots if a proposed bill to regulate the industry passes without changes. Democratic senator warns of ‘Power 2’ owning college sports if NCAA-backed SCORE Act becomes law – AP
• The NCAA is weighing a rule that would require incoming Division I athletes to disclose name, image and likeness (NIL) deals from high school or junior college to the NIL Go clearinghouse established under the $2.8 billion House Settlement. NCAA considers rule requiring athletes to disclose NIL deals from high school, junior college – AP
• A federal judge ordered the NCAA to immediately allow four football players at West Virginia University to compete in the 2025-2026 season, saying they presented some evidence that the sports organization’s eligibility rules harm competition. Football Players Who Sued NCAA Are Eligible to Play, Judge Says – Bloomberg

MLB

• A resident of Orange County, California, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to operating as an unlicensed bookmaker who placed bets for current and former professional athletes as well as a Japanese language interpreter who is serving time for stealing from baseball megastar Shohei Ohtani. Bookie Who Took Bets From Ohtani Interpreter Gets 1 Year – Law360

Entertainment:

MOVIES & TELEVISION

• A Hollywood producer was arrested in SC and accused of stealing $12 million from film projects and others by misappropriating funds and forcing productions to pay for COVID-19 testing that never occurred, the DOJ announced. Central District of California | Movie Producer Arrested on Federal Indictment Charging Him with $12 Million Schemes to Defraud Victims, Including Film Projects | United States Department of Justice
• The rapper 50 Cent convinced a CA federal court to deny defendants’ bid for arbitration in a dispute over the use of his name to promote a horror movie. 50 Cent Ducks Bid to Send Publicity Rights Suit to Arbitration
• An attorney for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. told a DE federal judge its popular Ugliest House in America show had “nothing to do” with HomeVestors of America Inc.’s “Ugly House” competition, kicking off an infringement trial where the latter company is seeking millions in disgorgement. Warner Bros. Denies ‘Ugly House’ Infringement At Del. Trial – Law360

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Cardi B told a Los Angeles jury that she screamed and cursed during a confrontation with a medical building security guard but said it’s simply false that she ever assaulted the guard. Cardi B testifies she didn’t touch security guard but did curse at her – Los Angeles Times
• Actress Lili Bernard, who joined the ranks of others accusing actor Bill Cosby of drugging and raping them, will drop her NJ federal lawsuit over an alleged assault in a Garden State casino and instead press those claims in a NY state lawsuit, according to a stipulation. Cosby Accuser Will Pursue NJ Assault Claims In NY Suit – Law360

MUSIC

• A GA federal judge has ruled that former Fugees rapper Prakazrel Samuel “Pras” Michel must repay $6.5 million to a lender that accused him of fraudulently selling his music catalog while it was being held as collateral. Pras Michel Must Repay $6.5M, Judge Says, But Didn’t Commit Fraud