K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2025 #4

Sports:

• A former Major League Soccer marketing executive sued the league in New York federal court Friday, alleging he was fired in retaliation for repeatedly complaining of racial discrimination by his superiors. MLS Fired Exec For Reporting Racial Bias, Suit Says – Law360

NCAA

• Former Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor is seeking damages from the NCAA for being denied Name, Image and Likeness money during his Buckeyes career from 2008-10. Former Big Ten superstar receives final decision on NCAA lawsuit over denied NIL money – SI
• Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti sent a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions suggesting that Michigan’s football program should not face more sanctions stemming from a sign-stealing scheme, according to two people familiar with the situation. Big Ten Suggests to NCAA That Michigan Has Been Punished Enough for Sign Stealing – FOX Sports
• U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee leaders are pushing lawmakers for tweaks to legislation that would regulate college sports by adding guarantees that schools will spend the same percentage on Olympic programs in the future as they do now. USOPC asks for tweak of college sports bill to set minimum spending limits for Olympic programs – AP

NFL

• The executive director of the NFL‘s labor union has resigned, saying his leadership has become a distraction after it came to light publicly that he is working as a part-time consultant for one of the private equity firms approved by the league to pursue minority ownership. NFLPA Head Resigns Amid Possible Conflict Of Interest – Law360

Entertainment:

MOVIES & TELEVISION

• 50 Cent cannot block the release of Hollywood producer Ryan Kavanaugh’s horror film that allegedly uses his name and likeness without a final contract in place, after a CA federal judge decided there was evidence suggesting the rapper assented to the parties’ agreed-upon terms to do so. Movie Release Moves Forward Amidst 50 Cent Trademark and Publicity Lawsuit
• Showtime, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and the makers of the TV show Yellowjackets won $108,000 in attorney fees after earlier this year defeating a copyright suit alleging the program ripped off the 2015 film Eden. ‘Yellowjackets’ Makers Get $108K In Fees In Copyright Suit – Law360
• A NJ federal judge rejected former NFL player Al “Bubba” Baker‘s request to undo certain rulings and $110,800 in legal fee awards in his ongoing dispute with Shark Tank star Daymond John, who accused the defensive end of defamation after their boneless rib business venture soured. Ex-NFL Player Can’t Undo Legal Fees In ‘Shark Tank’ Dispute – Law360

MUSIC

• Three members of Jane’s Addiction sued vocalist Perry Farrell over an onstage altercation they say has destroyed the rock band’s reputation and trademark, while in his own suit Farrell claims it is his bandmates who have jettisoned the group’s success in favor of bullying him during performances. Perry Farrell Sues Jane’s Addiction Members Hours After They Sued Him
• Parliament-Funkadelic bandleader George Clinton again asked an MI federal court to sanction the estate of the band’s former keyboardist in their royalty row, telling the court the estate is pursuing “frivolous” claims to financially harm the still-touring musician. Funkadelic Leader Seeks Sanctions In ‘Baseless’ Royalty Row – Law360

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• A NY federal judge dismissed a public relations consultant and his company from actress Blake Lively‘s lawsuit that accuses her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment on set and trying to orchestrate a public relations campaign to “destroy” her reputation. Blake Lively’s Lawsuit Against Justin Baldoni’s Social Media Expert Dismissed
• A settlement has been reached in a suit brought by the estate of the Notorious B.I.G. against Target, Home Depot, Nordstrom and others, claiming they infringed the late rapper’s trademarks by selling art bearing his image and likeness, the parties told an IL federal court. Biggie Estate Settles With Target & More Over Photo Prints of Rapper