K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - June 2025 #2

Sports:

• The New York State Education Department said it won’t rescind a ban on the use of Indigenous mascots and names in public schools despite a threat from the Trump administration to pull its federal funding, telling the U.S. Department of Education instead that it’s willing to broaden the regulation’s reach. New York Says It Won’t Rescind Native American Mascot Ban – Law360

NCAA

• The NCAA‘s 119-year amateurism model died Friday with a judge’s pen, as the landmark House v. NCAA antitrust settlement received final approval, opening the door for millions of dollars to be shared between schools and players for the first time. House v. NCAA settlement approved: Landmark decision opens door for revenue sharing in college athletics – CBS Sports
• College sports’ power conferences – Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12 – have hired a high-profile investigator in professional sports to lead their new governing body that will oversee revenue sharing and NIL contracts. College sports power conferences hire MLB exec to serve in CEO role after House v. NCAA settlement approval – CBS Sports

NFL

• Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones is facing new criminal charges in Northern Kentucky, the Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, reports. Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones arrested, facing multiple charges – USA Today

GOLF

• The United States Golf Association and the nation’s oldest golf club were hit with a lawsuit in Massachusetts state court by a man who said he suffered permanent injuries after a fall from a shoddy platform during the 2022 U.S. Open golf tournament. Man Sues US Open Venue Over Fall, Broken Arm – Law360

Entertainment:

LAWSUITS OF THE RICH & FAMOUS

• A judge dismissed Justin Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, a major development in the ongoing civil litigation between former co-stars Lively and Baldoni. Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively: Judge dismisses Baldoni’s $400 million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively | CNN
• A Manhattan jury heard closing arguments in Harvey Weinstein‘s retrial on sexual assault charges in NY state court, as his attorney said he was “abused” by “mad,” “scorned” ex-lovers who didn’t have the talent to make it in show business. Harvey Weinstein NYC Rape Retrial Set To Go To Jury Wednesday
• A social media personality defending herself against Megan Thee Stallion‘s cyberstalking lawsuit agreed to stop posting about the case after the rapper told a FL federal judge that public statements could incite violence, weeks after fellow recording artist Tory Lanez was stabbed in a CA prison. Megan Thee Stallion Gets Gag Order In Milagro Gramz Legal Bout
• Kim Kardashian and interior design firm Clements Design Inc. are settling claims that they committed copyright infringement by ripping off furniture designs by minimalist artist Donald Judd. Kim Kardashian gets authentic Donald Judd tables after lawsuit over alleged knockoffs is settled | Marfa Public Radio, radio for a wide range.
• Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Tameka “Tiny” Harris have urged a CA federal judge to reject MGA Entertainment’s motion to reverse a jury’s $71.4 million verdict finding the company infringed the trade dress and publicity rights of the OMG Girlz pop group, saying the rehashed arguments fall flat. I., Tiny Urge Judge To Prevent 4th Trial In $71M Doll Row – Law360

FILM & TELEVISION

• Warner Bros. Discovery plans to split into two public companies by next year, the media giant announced, the latest upheaval in the industry as consumers transition from cable to streaming. Warner Bros. Discovery to split into two public companies by next year
• A 9^th Circuit panel grilled an attorney representing the heirs of a magazine writer, arguing to revive a lawsuit accusing Top Gun: Maverick of infringing the article that inspired the original 1986 “Top Gun” movie. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Copyright Appeal Hits Skeptical 9th Circuit
• Disney and Twentieth Century Fox were hit with a sexual harassment and retaliation suit in California state court by crew members on the first season of the ABC series Doctor Odyssey, alleging they were terminated after complaining about sexual harassment and hostility they endured by the department’s managers. ‘Doctor Odyssey’ crew sues Disney and 20th TV for alleged sexual harassment
• Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons filed defamation claims in NY state court seeking $20 million against HBO and the makers behind the 2020 documentary On the Record for allegedly falsely reporting that he raped multiple women. Russell Simmons Sues HBO for $20 Million Over ‘On the Record’ Documentary
• SAG-AFTRA members urged the 9^th Circuit to revive their claims that the union betrayed them by allowing studios to impose COVID-19 vaccine mandates against members with medical and religious objections, arguing that the state claims aren’t preempted and “not everything that involves these guilds is a federal matter.” Actors Ask 9th Circ. To Revive SAG Vax Mandate Fight – Law360
• A digital effects company’s attorney urged a 9^th Circuit panel to revive a jury’s finding that Walt Disney Pictures vicariously infringed its software by using it on the 2017 movie Beauty and the Beast and grant it a new damages trial. FX Co. Urges 9th Circ. To Restore Copyright Win Over Disney – Law360

MUSIC

• Rapper Eminem’s music publisher accused Meta Platforms Inc. of “rampantly” infringing his copyrights by offering his music to sync with photos and videos publicly streamed on its social media apps without permission. Meta sued for alleged ‘rampant infringement’ of Eminem songs on Facebook, Instagram – Music Business Worldwide
• Music data company Musixmatch urged a CA federal judge to end rival LyricFind‘s $1 billion suit alleging it has a monopoly in the market for providing lyrics to streamers like Spotify after inking an exclusive deal with Warner Music to distribute its titles, arguing Warner is legally allowed to solely license its intellectual property to Musixmatch. Musixmatch files motion to dismiss LyricFind’s antitrust lawsuit – Music Business Worldwide