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

Sports:

• Pittsburgh’s so-called jock tax, which levies a 3% tax on income earned by visiting athletes and performers at publicly funded stadiums, discriminates against nonresidents, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Thursday. Pittsburgh’s ‘jock tax’ on visiting athletes, performers at publicly funded stadiums shot down – AP

NCAA

• The NCAA’s decision allowing Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the U.S. college level for the first time won’t alter how the NHL evaluates draft-eligible talent. Pro Hockey Players Taking Advantage of New NCAA Eligibility Requirements – The Hockey News
• Riley Gaines‘ lawsuit against the NCAA will proceed after a federal judge partially denied the defendant’s motions to dismiss on Thursday. Her lawyer revealed a key condition it would take to achieve a settlement. Riley Gaines’ attorney reveals condition it would take to agree to settle lawsuit with NCAA – Fox News
• The federal judge whose 2024 injunction allowed Vanderbilt University’s Diego Pavia to play an extra season of football should oversee a proposed antitrust class action seeking to upend the NCAA’s eligibility rules, the athletes behind the suit told a Tennessee federal court. Athletes Want Judge In Pavia Case For NCAA ‘Redshirt’ Suit – Law360

NBA

• RAJ Sports Holdings LLC is accusing co-CEOs of Panda Express and their family trust of breaching an exclusivity and confidentiality agreement by exiting a nearly completed deal to buy the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers and joining forces with another multibillion-dollar bidder. Suit Alleges Fast-Break Betrayal In NBA Team Bid Plan – Law360
• Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia was asked by reporters about the five workplace discrimination lawsuits filed against the NBA and WNBA franchises in federal court by former employees at the Suns’ media day Wednesday, Sept. 24. Suns owner Mat Ishbia denies wrongdoing, calls discrimination lawsuits ‘cash grab’ – USA Today

Entertainment:

TELEVISION & MOVIES

• A group of Disney shareholders is demanding to inspect various company books and records related to the decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live!, saying the company may have put “improper political or affiliate considerations” over stockholder interests. The week in GRC: Disney shareholders demand answers over Jimmy Kimmel suspension as SEC clarifies position on quarterly reporting | Governance Intelligence
• A lawsuit alleging a Netflix documentary infringed a YouTuber’s interview with an alleged serial killer was dropped after the parties resolved the dispute. Netflix Ends ‘Gone Girls’ Copyright Row Over Alleged Killer Chat
• A FL federal judge who dissolved an order blocking the release of a documentary that features excerpts of Hulk Hogan‘s sex tape faulted representatives of his estate for bringing the lawsuit before being authorized to do so, while also saying their copyright claim might fail because of fair use. Judge rejects injunction in Hulk Hogan sex tape case | wtsp.com

MUSIC

• Live Nation Entertainment Inc.’s Ticketmaster agreed to make certain changes to its ticketing business following the UK’s antitrust watchdog concerns that it risked misleading customers in last year’s sale of Oasis Ticketmaster agrees to give fans better price information after Oasis investigation
• The vocalist for the Grammy-nominated metal band Hatebreed and the group’s business arm have asked a CN state court to strike several claims that the band’s founding bassist filed after his sudden termination, including breach of contract and negligent infliction of emotional distress, arguing that they are not adequately supported by facts. Metal Singer Wants Ex-Bassist’s ‘Break-Up Case’ Trimmed – Law360
• A criminal defendant’s rap song should not have been allowed as evidence that he enabled a murder, a NY state appeals court ruled, granting a new trial in a case that saw Brooklyn prosecutors put one of their own on the stand on a moment’s notice as a slang expert. Rap Song Can’t Be Used To Prove Rap Sheet, NY Court Says – Law360
• A CA federal judge has sent summary judgment motions from online radio service Pandora Media and a group of comedians back to a special master for further consideration after it was previously recommended that Pandora prevail. Judge Sends Pandora IP Claims Back To Special Master – Law360