K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - June 2025 #3

Sports:

NCAA

• A former University of Michigan assistant football coach accused of hacking the personal information and intimate photos of thousands of students has asked a Michigan federal judge to set aside a default entry against him, saying in the pro se filing that he was never properly served. Ex-UMich Coach Fights Default Judgment In Hacking Case – Law360
• Following the approval of a $2.78 billion settlement giving college athletes access to a groundbreaking revenue sharing system, lawmakers are beginning the delicate process of deciding how to best regulate and manage a new era of college sports. Lawmakers Draw Battle Lines Over Future Of NCAA Oversight – Law360
• Eight female former and current college athletes who previously objected to the Title IX implications of the $2.78 billion settlement between the NCAA and a class of former athletes seeking past name, image and likeness pay have appealed the final approval of the settlement, granted just last Friday, to the Ninth Circuit. Athletes Revive Title IX Objections In NIL Settlement Appeal – Law360

NFL

• The head of a nonprofit tasked with bringing life to Downtown Cleveland’s lakefront says losing the Browns to the suburbs will hurt private development, delaying projects like hotels, apartments and restaurants until 2031 or later. ‘Time kills deals.’ Waterfront leader says a Browns stadium move will slow Cleveland’s lakefront development – News 5 Cleveland

NHL

• Even without a formal expansion process in place, a potential NHL return to Atlanta took another sizable step forward late Wednesday as officials in suburban Forsyth County, Ga., approved plans for a $3 billion development that would include an 18,000-seat, league-ready arena for a new franchise. Ice, Ice, Maybe: Atlanta’s $3B NHL Arena Project Approved- Front Office Sports

Entertainment:

FILM & TELEVISION

• Disney and NBCUniversal are the first Hollywood players to take a shot at Midjourney, a generative AI company that they claim has stolen their copyrighted characters. Disney, Universal Sue AI Company Midjourney for Copyright Infringement
• A CA federal judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit with prejudice by a filmmaker who accused Netflix, NBA superstar LeBron James and others of lifting elements from his script to make the movie Rez Ball after the parties filed a notice with the court. Filmmaker Ends Case Against Netflix, LeBron Over ‘Rez Ball’ – Law360
• Paramount Pictures urged a NY federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the cousin of a Top Gun: Maverick screenwriter who claims he is a joint author of the film’s script, saying his complaint is “a delusion.” Paramount Says ‘Top Gun’ Authorship Claim Is ‘A Delusion’ – Law360

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Harvey Weinstein was convicted of sexual assault in NY for a second time but acquitted of a second sexual assault charge. Jurors will continue deliberating on a rape charge. Harvey Weinstein Rape Retrial Split Verdict Amid Jury Tensions, Threats & Chaos
• Marlon Wayans was hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by a photographer who claims he used her image of a Ziploc bag filled with marijuana on his Facebook account without permission. Photographer Says Marlon Wayans Took Pot Pic – Law360