K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - April 2025 #5

Sports:

• Nike was hit with a proposed securities class action on Friday accusing the athletic apparel giant of touting its nonfungible tokens before abruptly abandoning that business, in a “brazen rug pull” that left purchasers of Nike’s NFTs “decimated.” Nike Investors Say ‘Brazen’ NFT Rug Pull ‘Decimated’ Them – Law360
• The PGA Tour still feels it hasn’t quite nailed the recipe for its big-money, season-ending Tour Championship — so it’s planning to tweak the format. Those changes could happen in the next few weeks. And they could take effect as soon as this season. Pros tease ‘surprise’ changes to controversial Tour Championship Format – Golf

NCAA

• Three more universities were hit with lawsuits this week by students who say they were targets of a former University of Michigan and Baltimore Ravens coach accused of hacking accounts to steal intimate photos, as the number of suits stemming from the scandal continues to grow. Fallout From Ex-Football Coach’s Alleged Hacking Spreads – Law360
• The CA federal judge overseeing the $2.78 billion settlement between the NCAA and college athletes seeking compensation remained unsatisfied with the NCAA’s insistence on roster limits she considers unfair to class members, so much so that she gave the sides two weeks to resolve the issue or risk having the settlement tossed and sent back to litigation. Judge’s Order For More Changes Puts NCAA Deal In Jeopardy – Law360

NFL

• Several people who buy season tickets to Houston Texans games are suing the team for more than $1 million, claiming the team abruptly changed its policies, charging them more than other season ticket holders. Texans season ticket holders sue team claiming fraud, conspiracy, breach of contract – Fox Houston

MLB

• Major League Baseball’s players union urged a federal judge to reject betting site DraftKings‘s request to appeal her denial of their bid to dismiss the union’s publicity rights suit. MLB Players Union Urges Judge to Deny DraftKings NIL Appeal Bid – Bloomberg

Entertainment:

MOVIES & TELEVISION

• An L.A. federal judge was skeptical of arguments that the TV show Yellowjackets copies from the 2015 film Eden themes of social breakdown after a soccer team is stranded in a plane crash. ‘Yellowjackets’ creators look to duck soccer survival film copyright claims | Courthouse News Service
• DC Comics and Warner Brothers have escaped the IP trial over the new Superman movie after a federal judge rejected a Superman co-creator’s estate from reclaiming foreign copyrights and blocking the new superhero film’s release, citing lack of jurisdiction over the case. Superman Movie Lawsuit Gets Major Update 2 Months Before The Film’s Release – ScreenRant
• Disney asked a CA federal judge to issue $532,815 in sanctions against attorneys for an animator who alleged Moana lifted his Polynesian adventure story, arguing that the plaintiff’s lawyers vexatiously prolonged litigation with “sanctionable misconduct” by pursuing “baseless” trade secret misappropriation claims that were untimely and premised on a forged document. Disney Seeks $532K Atty Sanctions In Artist’s ‘Moana’ Suit – Law360
• Netflix Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., and Mindy Kaling’s company urged a federal judge to toss out Pepperdine University’s trademark lawsuit over their show Running Point, arguing it’s protected by the First Amendment. Netflix, Warner Bros. Want Pepperdine Trademark Suit Tossed – Bloomberg Law

MUSIC

• Eminem‘s publisher agreed to drop a copyright infringement lawsuit alleging a MI Ford dealership used the rapper’s song “Lose Yourself” in social media advertisements for a limited-edition Detroit Lions Ford F-150 pickup without permission. Eminem ‘Lose Yourself’ Lawsuit: Publisher Drops Case Over TikTok Ads – Billboard
• Discovery in the copyright case against Miley Cyrus for her song “Flowers” will be split to first address liability and then damages, a L.A. federal judge ordered. Miley Cyrus ‘Flowers’ Discovery to Split Liability, Then Damages – Bloomberg Law

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• Pro Football Hall of Famer and current ESPN broadcaster Shannon Sharpe denied accusations in a $50 million NV state civil suit by a former girlfriend that he raped and threatened to choke her, saying in a social media video that he planned to sue her for defamation. Shannon Sharpe demands the full sex tape at center of assault allegation be released – NBC News
• Rapper and producer 50 Cent accused the makers of the upcoming horror movie Skill House of “shamelessly” using his name to promote the film despite never reaching any agreement to do so. 50 Cent Sues Movie Producer to Block Release of ‘SkillHouse” Horror Film – Complex