K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - August 2024 #2

Sports:

• The Eleventh Circuit on Monday refused to reopen a former football coach’s lawsuit accusing a Georgia school district of unlawfully refusing to renew his contract because he’s white, backing a lower court’s determination that an earlier case against Black school board members barred the current claims. 11th Circ. Won’t Revive White Ex-Coach’s Race Bias Suit – Law360
• Liberty Media, owner of Formula One Group, confirmed that it is under investigation by the Justice Department for denying Andretti Global entry into the Formula 1 World Championship. Liberty Media confirms Justice Department investigation over Formula 1 World Championship spat – AP
• A D.C. federal judge handed the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum a victory over the Small Business Administration on Wednesday, ruling the agency unfairly denied its application for a $2 million pandemic relief grant. Olympic Museum Scores Partial Win In $2M COVID Relief Suit – Law360

NCAA

• Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh received a four-year show-cause order, including a one-season suspension, from the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions on Wednesday in connection with violations of the COVID-19 dead period in 2021. NCAA penalizes Jim Harbaugh for Michigan recruiting violations: What does it mean? – NYT
• A former top college baseball pitcher has sued the National Collegiate Athletic Association in a proposed class action in Colorado federal court, claiming that restrictions on athletic scholarships caused some players to pay more for school. NCAA sued over limits on scholarships for some athletes – Reuters
• In a blistering response to the NCAA’s defense of its ban on college athletes receiving prize money in non-collegiate competition, college tennis player Reese Brantmeier pointed to the contrast between the ban and new policies allowing name, image and likeness compensation, saying the disparity in rules “strains credibility.” Tennis Player Says NCAA Prize-Money Ban Causes Real Harm – Law360

NFL

• An Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. insurance unit can recover up to $4 million it paid to settle a lawsuit by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Lawrence Tynes, who alleged he contracted a career-ending staph infection at a Bucs’ facility, a federal court ruled. Buccaneers’ Insurer Recovers $4 Million in Kicker Liability Case – Bloomberg

MLB

• MLB was sued Wednesday by a former minor league umpire who says he was fired because he complained about a female umpire’s harassment based on his gender and sexual orientation. MLB Umpire Says Sex Harassment Ignored Because of Diversity Push – Bloomberg

Entertainment:

MUSIC

• Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain has apparently filed a new lawsuit against bandmate Neal Schon while on tour over the grounds of frustrations over Schon’s “expenses related to the tour”, including “budgeting and spending” of the band’s credit card over personal expenses. Journey’s Jonathan Cain files lawsuit against bandmate Neal Schon while on tour together (nme.com)
• A Spanish musician can’t sue the Rolling Stones for copyright infringement in LA just because the rock band’s allegedly infringing song “Living in a Ghost Town” is accessible on the internet, the 5^th Circuit ruled. 23-30909.0.pdf (uscourts.gov)
• A New Orleans music group ended its copyright infringement lawsuit against Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Sony Music Entertainment, and other artists. Beyoncé Lawsuit Over ‘Break My Soul’ Sample Dropped by Accusers (billboard.com)
• Rapper Pitbull‘s 2021 hit “I Feel Good” ripped off the melody, tempo and arrangement used in another composition made over a decade ago, a NY company alleges in a copyright infringement suit filed in NY federal court. UMG Hit With Copyright Suit Over Pitbull Song ‘I Feel Good’ – Law360
• The special master appointed to oversee discovery disputes in civil litigation stemming from the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival racked up nearly $60,000 in fees and expenses, according to a trial court order. Astroworld MDL’s Special Master Owed Nearly $60K In Fees – Law360
• A federal judge rejected two FL record labels’ effort to escape a lawsuit claiming they falsely asserted their rights over 1970s French instrumental track “Espoir Composition X.” Record Labels Must Face Suit Over Rights to 1970s French Song (bloomberglaw.com)

FILM & TELEVISION

• The NM judge who dismissed the Rust shooting case against Alec Baldwin has issued a scathing order finding that the lead prosecutor “intentionally and deliberately” withheld evidence from the defense, gave “inconsistent” testimony during an evidentiary hearing and elicited false testimony from a witness. Alec Baldwin ‘Rust’ Case: Judge Dismisses Charges for Misconduct (hollywoodreporter.com) Meanwhile, the prosecutor of that case has denied hiding exculpatory evidence or lying under oath, contending in a court filing that a confused judge wrongly threw out involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor. Alec Baldwin Trial Improperly Dismissed By Confused Judge, Prosecutor Says (deadline.com)
• Paramount Global is poised to defeat a demand to turn over internal files to a pension fund that’s raising questions about its $2.4 billion acquisition by Skydance Media that shifts control of the storied Hollywood studio to producer David Ellison. Paramount Gains Edge in Fight Over Skydance Buyout Files (yahoo.com)
• A CA jury has entered a verdict for Mattel in a $46 million contract suit brought against it by the company of Lone Survivor producer Norton Herrick alleging that the toy-maker stole its idea for a reality show in which inventors pitch toys to child judges, concluding there was no contract breach. Mattel Wins Lawsuit: Didn’t Steal Realty Show Idea From Producer (variety.com)
• A CA federal judge awarded the company behind children’s YouTube channel CoComelon more than $6.6 million in fees and costs after its copyright trial win against a Chinese rival, given its “nearly perfect success at trial” and the defendant’s “unreasonable arguments throughout the case.” CoComelon Attys Score Over $6.6M In Fees, Costs For IP Win – Law360

MEANWHILE, IN HOLLYWOOD…

• Meta is offering Judi Dench, Awkwafina and Keegan-Michael Key millions of dollars for the right to record and use their voices for artificial intelligence projects, according to several people familiar with the negotiations. Meta in talks to use voices of Judi Dench, Awkwafina for A.I., NYT says | Reuters
• A frustrated NY state judge tossed a former Beam Suntory Inc. sales contractor’s reworked wiretapping allegations against rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in a $3 million embezzlement dispute, calling the claims “ridiculous” and an “obvious” delay tactic. Judge Dismisses 50 Cent Wiretap Claim in $3M Embezzlement Dispute – USA Herald
• An investment company representing rapper 2 Chainz is suing a former cannabis company executive and others, alleging they scammed the rapper into investing in a dispensary without intending to pay back what was promised. 2 Chainz Snared By Pot Shop Investment Scam, Suit Says – Law360