Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ohio Lawsuit Challenging High School NIL Ban Is No Sure Thing

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 1d

Brown v. OHSSA challenges Ohio's prohibition on high school athletes signing NIL deals. The case could end if Ohio drops its ban, but if that doesn't happen, it presents an interesting legal question: Does amateurism carry more weight at the high school level? My @sportico.bsky.social column:

The mother of a high school football star is challenging the legality of Ohio being one of only six states to ban NIL deals for high school athletes

Ohtani, Dodgers’ $700M Man, Takes the Mound to Clinch Amid Hit Slump

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Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 2d

Ohtani's not hitting, but he has the Dodgers' clinching the NLCS on his pitching arm in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium Friday night. Let's see what happens. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

Ohtani, the Dodgers' $700 million man, will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Brewers on Friday while working out of an untimely hitting slump.

Ex-OVG CEO’s Bid-Rigging Trial Punted Due to Lengthy Discovery

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Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 2d

Culled from new interviews and more than 7,000 pages of testimony and court filings, a Rolling Stone and @sportico.bsky.social joint investigation exposes youth basketball’s version of the Epstein Files.

Read: www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 3d

The criminal trial of ex-Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke, who is accused of bid rigging by conspiring with Legends' CEO, has been delayed to next May, but more interesting is his attorney detailing defenses––including this was ordinary business practices. I discuss for @sportico.bsky.social:

Tim Leiweke, the co-founder & former CEO of the Oak View Group, lays out some of his defense to bid-rigging charges as his trial is moved to May 2026.

Knight’s Ransom: Rutgers Paid $120K to Firm It Later Dropped in AD Search

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Sportico @sportico.bsky.social · 3d

Rutgers retained TurnkeyZRG to help replace athletic director Pat Hobbs.

After nearly a year, the search concluded without using the firm's help.

Rutgers retained TurnkeyZRG to help replace athletic director Pat Hobbs. After nearly a year, the search concluded without using the firm's help.

NBA Partners Primed for Ad Revenue Boost as Rights Deals Begin

Sportico @sportico.bsky.social · 3d

As the NBA gets set to tip off its new 11-year, $76 billion media-rights juggernaut on Tuesday night, advertisers have already snapped up much of the available in-game inventory for the 2025-26 season.

Marketing dollars won't offset the full weight of a $6.9 billion rights bill, but higher pricing should help pay off at least half of this year's fee.

Kalshi Puts Geolocation Tech Providers on Edge Amid Rapid Rise

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Reposted by Sportico

Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 3d

Every NBA team's value has grown dramatically, but by far the biggest gains have been with teams at the bottom of the list

The floor has risen almost 2.5x since 2022

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Reposted by Sportico

Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 3d

How big are the new media deals for NBA teams?

The contracts with Amazon, ESPN/ABC & NBC will bump each team’s TV revenue from $103 million to $143 million

Each team is on track for $281 million for the 2035-36 season, based on a 30-team league and payouts rising ~7% per year

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Reposted by Sportico

Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 3d

Something I've been thinking about for months is how prediction markets will impact geolocation tech companies.

New feature story from me...

www.sportico.com/business/tec...

Because prediction market exchanges are offered without restriction in all 50 states, some aren't paying for advanced tracking tools.

College Application: U.S. Soccer Submits New Game Plan for NCAA

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Sportico @sportico.bsky.social · 3d

A proposed overhaul to college soccer includes a promotion/relegation system 👀

NCAA soccer could soon look far different based on recommendations in a U.S. Soccer-sponsored “NextGen White Paper” released Thursday.

Blue Jays Remain Canada’s Team Though Expos Still on the Mind

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Reposted by Sportico

Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 3d

2025 NBA franchise valuations from @sportico.bsky.social are out

• Warriors are No. 1 at $11.33 billion
• "Get-in" price is up to $4 billion 💰
• Average is $5.5 billion, +20% YoY
• Average is +113% since 2022 🏀💵📈

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Reposted by Sportico

Eben Novy-Williams @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social · 3d

If there's one main takeaway from me on @sportico.bsky.social's latest NBA valuations, it's this:

The league is moving toward an NFL-style model. It's gotten closer to fixed costs, and the league-wide media distributions (now $143M) have grown into a significant revenue stream.

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Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 4d

Here's my take on the state of baseball in Canada today: Tough slog for the Blue Jays to win the ALCS. Even tougher slog to bring an expansion Expos team back to Montreal. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

The Blue Jays, carrying the weight of a nation as Canada's only baseball team, face long odds to reach the World Series, down 2-0 to the Mariners.

Jill Ellis Avoids Pretrial Motion in Defamation Suit vs. Ex-Wave Staffer

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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 4d

FIFA executive Jill Ellis, who is suing a former San Diego Wave employee for defamation, scores a key ruling as judge finds Ellis has offered significant evidence supporting her claim she was defamed on social media by allegations she ran an abusive workplace. I have more on @sportico.bsky.social:

A judge in California has denied a motion to strike a defamation lawsuit brought by Jill Ellis as notable evidence is discussed by the judge.

Messi Sued by Prime Over Ads With Rival Más Hydration

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 6d

Lionel Messi is sued by Prime Hydration for false advertising, with his public remarks about being "founder" of Más+ and his sworn testimony as playing a smaller role derided as hypocritical.

But in advertising law, there's something called "puffery."

My take for @sportico.bsky.social:

Lionel Messi's varying descriptions of his role with Más hydration drinks has brought a lawsuit by Prime Hydration, but Messi has defenses.

Kalshi Says Global Push Includes China, India Launches

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Reposted by Sportico

Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 6d

In China:

Meta ❌
Google Search ❌
Reddit ❌
Kalshi ✅ (?)

Despite potential legal hurdles, the prediction market platform told Sportico it will offer its product in Asia's biggest countries.

New York Yankees Know They Must Revamp to Win the World Series

Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 7d

The Yankees know they have a lot of work to do to get back to a championship level. Boone or no Boone they need to build a much better support system around Aaron Judge for the $325.5m they spend. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

Aaron Boone and Aaron Judge have one thing in common: Neither of them have won the World Series yet.

Fraud Suit Over LeBron James’ ‘Second Decision’ Misses the Rim

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 6d

The lawsuit against LeBron James over "The Second Decision" is the latest lawsuit brought by a fan who bought tickets and feels misled for one reason or another. These lawsuits fail because a ticket provides a seat to a game--and that's it. My @sportico.bsky.social sports law column:

A lawsuit brought by a ticket holder over LeBron James' 'The Second Decision" faces long odds since courts have consistently rejected these lawsuits.

Tatis Loses Arbitration, Ordered to Pay $3.7M to Big League Advance

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 16d

Some baseball and the law news: Big League Advance defeats Fernando Tatis Jr. in the arbitration over his investment contract. Arbitrator says he must pay BLA $3.74 million. BLA petitions court in D.C. to enforce award. I have details + legal analysis at @sportico.bsky.social:

San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. has been ordered by an arbitrator to pay Big League Advance $3.74 million.

NASCAR Seeks Summary Judgment Against 23XI, Front Row

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Reposted by Sportico

Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 16d

New: NASCAR tonight files a motion for summary judgment in the antitrust case against 23XI & Front Row. NASCAR includes declarations from teams' owners saying the current system works well for the sport. Don't expect the judge to grant summary judgment to either side. My @sportico.bsky.social take:

NASCAR on Friday filed a motion for summary judgment against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, but the filing is unlikely to end the case.

Dodgers-Yankees Rematch Still on Offer as Division Series Begin

Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 16d

Yankees and Dodgers both make a statement by winning their Wild Card Series. It's still a long way to go, but my pick to meet again in the World Series for the 14th time since 1941. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

The Yanks got a dominant performance from rookie Cam Schlittler to close the Wild Card Series. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is slated to open the NLDS.

Diego Pavia’s Court Win Upheld Before Vandy’s Big Bama Game

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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 18d

Diego Pavia's win against the NCAA over eligibility upheld by the Sixth Circuit, but on mootness grounds—judges rule he already got what he wanted (a chance to play this fall). Two of the judges write concurring opinions, with one saying Congress should step in. My take for @sportico.bsky.social:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit says more evidence and data is needed to understand the college football market in Pavia's case.

Tampa Bay Rays Sale to Patrick Zalupski Closes

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Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 18d

This is not new news, but it was time for Stu Sternberg to sell the Rays and the club to move on. Next up a new ballpark on the Tampa side of the bay. They'll have three years to get it done when their lease expires at the Trop after the 2028 season. My latest for @sportico.bsky.social

The MLB club announced the long-awaited sale to a group led by Jacksonville, Fla., developer Patrick Zalupski for about $1.7 billion.

Cubs-Padres Evokes Memories of 1984 and the Great Ryne Sandberg

Reposted by Sportico

Barry M Bloom, Sportico @boomskie.bsky.social · 18d

Ryne Sandberg was essential to the Cubs-Padres rivalry and in Game 5 of the NLCS in 1984 he did something that caused his club the game and NL pennant. Read on. My latest column for @sportico.bsky.social

The last time the Cubs and Padres played each other in the playoffs was 1984 when Sandberg was a key figure at second and the National League MVP.