K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - June 2024

Sports:

• A Los Angeles jury has found following a monthlong trial that StubHub owes more than $16 million for breaching its contract with Spotlight Ticket Management, which does business as TicketManager, and interfering in the company’s relationship with American Express. StubHub Owes TicketManager $16M For Breach, Jury Says – Law360
• US sports apparel maker Nike has secured a partial victory in its dispute over stripes in its designs with rival company adidas in Germany. The 20th Civil Senate of the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court partially amended a previous ruling and decided that Nike can use the stripe pattern on some of its trouser designs. Nike v adidas stripes dispute sees partial Nike victory in Germany – Global Data

NCAA

• Pennsylvania-based Dauphin County Court awarded Dr. Scott Lynch, a former orthopedic consultant and director of medicine for Penn State athletics, $5.25 million in punitive and compensatory damages stemming from a civil lawsuit against Penn State Health. Central to Lynch’s testimony was a fractious relationship with football coach James Franklin. Former Penn State doctor who alleged interference from James Franklin awarded $5.25 million in lawsuit – CBS
• A former assistant women’s tennis coach at Boston College says the head coach of the program “set out on a campaign to undermine and alienate” her out of professional jealousy and gender bias, alleging she was fired in retaliation after complaining to administrators. Complaints About BC Tennis Coach Led To Firing, Suit Says – Law360
• The NCAA and a coalition of states suing the organization announced a proposed settlement of a lawsuit Thursday that would allow athletes to be immediately eligible to play no matter how many times they transfer and offer some who were sidelined an extra year of eligibility. NCAA, states reach agreement in lawsuit to permanently allow multiple-transfer athletes to compete – AP
• The NCAA has failed in its bid to get an early toss of the defamation suit filed by 2005 Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush, with an Indiana court ruling a dismissal is premature at this point because the former running back has met the pleading standards. NCAA Loses Bid To Sink Reggie Bush Defamation Suit – Law360

NFL

• The Washington Commanders released kicker Brandon McManus, days after a lawsuit that was filed against him became public alleging sexual assault from an incident that occurred when he was a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Sunday. Commanders cut Brandon McManus after sexual assault lawsuit – ESPN

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• Ticketmaster and its parent company Live Nation, which are facing suits from both the DOJ and consumers for alleged antitrust violations, are now also the subject of a class action alleging that a data breach compromising 560 million Ticketmaster was the result of the company’s negligence. Ticketmaster hit with class action suit over massive data breach | Cybernews
• Spotify has suddenly decided to shut down its “Car Thing” device, which connects listeners’ playlists to their cars, making the devices obsolete and leaving customers “with nothing more than a paperweight that cost between $50 and $100,” according to a proposed class action filed in NY federal court. Spotify to Brick Its Own “Car Thing” Device, Won’t Offer Refunds | Pitchfork
• Sony is working with another investor on a purchase of Queen’s music catalog that could be one of the biggest deals of its kind, potentially totaling $1 billion. Sony Music in talks to acquire Queen catalog in potential $1bn deal (report) – Music Business Worldwide
• Groups representing independent songwriters asked the US Copyright Office to implement sweeping changes to how the nonprofit collects and distributes streaming royalties to their members operates. Songwriters Guild of America
• A CA judge denied 50 Cent‘s touring company an early exit from a lawsuit alleging the rapper injured a fan by throwing a microphone into a crowd, saying the complaint does not lump the defendants together in a way that makes the allegations “unduly vague.” 50 Cent Sued by Woman Claiming She Was Injured After He Threw Microphone Off Stage (yahoo.com)
• EGOT star Cher has now won a key victory in CA federal court in a dispute over song royalties with the widow of ex-husband Sonny Bono, with a judge concluding that Mary Bono must continue to pay the female half of Sonny & Cher composition royalties under a 1978 marriage settlement agreement, or MSA, following their 1975 divorce. Cher wins royalties lawsuit against Sonny Bono’s widow – CBS Los Angeles (cbsnews.com)
• Madonna and four concert venues were hit with a class action in CA state court by a fan who says he purchased a $500 ticket to see the pop singer in an “uncomfortably hot” arena that featured a lip-syncing star who took the stage very late with “pornographic” topless dancers. Madonna Sued Again By Fan For Late Concert Start And ‘Topless Women’ (forbes.com)

MEANWHILE, IN HOLLYWOOD…

• NY prosecutors planning to retry Harvey Weinstein this fall after his rape conviction was overturned said they may file an expanded indictment after hearing from new sexual assault claimants. Prosecutors May Bring New Indictment Against Harvey Weinstein (hollywoodreporter.com)