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

Sports:

• A Native American advocacy group has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the New York Board of Regents to stop a rule that prohibits the use of indigenous mascots in public schools from taking effect, saying the ban is unconstitutional. Native American Group Looks To Block NY Mascot Ban – Law360
• Bass Pro Group LLC received final approval for a $4.95 million class settlement with tobacco-using workers who say they were wrongly charged an extra $2,080 per year for health coverage. Bass Pro Finalizes $5 Million Health Plan Smoker Fee Settlement – Bloomberg

NBA

• New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson is being accused of sexual assault, according to a lawsuit from a woman who identifies herself as his ex-girlfriend. Zion Williamson accused of rape, ongoing abuse in lawsuit against Pelicans star – USA Today

NFL

• A judge has allowed the Cleveland Browns to file an updated lawsuit over the team’s planned move from downtown Cleveland to a new stadium in Brook Park. Judge allows Browns to file updated lawsuit over planned move to Brook Park – The Plain Dealer Cleveland
• A federal district court judge in Boston has granted preliminary approval to a $2.16 million settlement between the New England Patriots organization and a class of fans who claim their personally identifiable information (PII) was shared without their permission while using the team’s app. New England Patriots to Pay $2.1 Million to Settle App Users’ Privacy Claims – Insurance Journal

MLB

• Former Major League Baseball All-Star Yasiel Puig sued Turner Broadcasting, Warner Media and others for defamation in California state court Wednesday over his depiction in an episode of a documentary series stating he was awaiting trial on gambling charges, when the charges allege false statements and obstruction. Ex-MLBer Sues TNT And Warner For ‘Dirty Moneyball’ Doc – Law360

Entertainment:

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• President Donald Trump pardoned reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were sentenced to prison after being convicted of running a yearslong bank fraud scheme and dodging federal taxes. Trump pardons Julie and Todd Chrisley, reality TV stars convicted in 2022 of fraud and tax evasion | AP News
• Content creators embattled in a copyright lawsuit over a “neutral, beige, and cream aesthetic” settled, according to a filing in a TX federal court. Influencer’s Stolen Photo Aesthetic Lawsuit Against Rival is Dropped | PetaPixel

MUSIC

• Major music companies are in talks to license their work to artificial intelligence startups Udio and Suno, deals that would establish a framework for how AI companies compensate recording artists for their work, according to people familiar with the discussions. Universal, Warner, and Sony in talks to license AI music generators Suno and Udio (report)
• After a long and public battle, Taylor Swift regained control of her first six albums for a sum said to be in the hundreds of millions. Taylor Swift buys back first 6 albums, now owns all her music | AP News

FILM & TELEVISION

• A 9^th Circuit panel held that the customized Ford Mustangs called “Eleanor” that were featured in four films — most recently in the 2000 Nicolas Cage film Gone in 60 Seconds — is not a copyrightable character. ‘Gone in 60 Seconds’ Car Not Entitled to Copyright Protection
• Kevin Costner and the producers of the Horizon films were sued in CA state court by a stunt double who alleged she had to perform an impromptu, unscripted violent rape scene without an intimacy coordinator on set and other protocols under the actors’ union contract. Kevin Costner sued by ‘Horizon 2’ stunt double over rape scene she says was ‘unscripted’ and ‘violent’
• A CA federal judge has thrown out a copyright and trademark suit by a man who claimed The Walt Disney Co. copied his singing turtle character, finding Disney had already created its singing turtle ‘Olu Mel by the time the man was depicting his turtle character as playing a ukulele. Disney fends off copyright lawsuit over ukulele-playing sea turtle | Reuters