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It’s been some time since I’ve last posted an article, but this couldn’t have been a better time for me to vent. In light of the recent happenings with athletes and their run ins with the law, I have come to the simple conclusion that the U.S legal system is an absolute joke.

NCAA schools have beefed up their compliance departments since the passage of SPARTA and the incorporation of the UAAA in many states.  Athletic departments have a lot to lose if there is a violation of a student-athlete statute is found.  Additionally, the NCAA has its own separate set of rules regarding compliance.

In the Phoenix courtroom of Judge Redfield T. Baum, the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy drama continues to play out. On June 15th, Jim Balsillie’s attempt to purchase the Coyotes and move them to Hamilton took a hit. Judge Baum rejected Balsillie’s bid, however the Research in Motion magnate has vowed to keep going in his mission to bring a seventh NHL team to Canada. This is a story that won’t be going away anytime soon.

Previously, I wrote a piece on attendance clauses in contracts of professional sports players. Recently, a story broke which touched upon my analysis.

I watched SpikeTV’s/Michael Irvin’s new show 4th and Long on its first night of airing.  It came on right after the 2-hour season finale of 24, so I was already in front of the TV.  I semi-enjoyed watching it, but it did not leave me begging for more.  So no, I have not watched it since…does anyone know if my boy Erick Jackson is still on the show?

The NCAA took notice of a recent popular post on this blog: Coaches Can Talk To Athletes On Twitter/FB. What About Agents? Not only was the post published, but I tried reaching out to the NCAA on Twitter to answer the question.  A week and a half went by with absolutely no communication, and then yesterday, I received an email from Cameron Schuh, the Associate Director for Public and Media Relations for the NCAA.

Here is part of Cam’s initial email:

Unless you live in the state of Florida, you might have never heard of Florida Coastal School of Law.  However, Rick Karcher and others at the institution are doing their best to change that.  Florida Coastal is quickly becoming known nationwide as a law school that offers a rich sports law program.  In fact, it may not be long until Florida Coastal is considered to be at the same level as long-standing sports law programs like those offered at Marquette and Tulane.

The most important part of the Opinion and Judgment Entry released by Judge Tygh M. Tone in the Common Pleas Court of Erie County, Ohio for the case of Andrew A. Oliver vs. National Collegiate Athletic Association, et al, dealt with the voiding of NCAA Bylaw 12.3.2.1.

12.3.2.1 Presence of a Lawyer at Negotiations. A lawyer may not be present during discussions of a contract offer with a professional organization or have any direct contact (i.e., in person, by telephone or by mail) with a professional sports organization on behalf of the individual. A lawyer’s presence during such discussions is considered representation by an agent.

Those who know me will be aware that I am an avid supporter of Arsenal FC. However I cannot help but feel a little disturbed by the goings on at Southampton FC. Being a graduate of the University of Southampton, there is a little place in my heart for the 2003 FA Cup Finalists. It is ironic that the club’s nickname is ‘Saints’ - it may take some form of divine intervention to drag them out of the mess in which they currently lie.

The 35th Annual (SLA) Sports Lawyers Association Conference will be held this May 14-16 in Chicago, Illinois.  Registration is currently open and the conference agenda is officially posted.  The event starts on Thursday May 14, and goes pretty much all day on Friday, and Saturday.  The conference agenda includes some amazing speakers and covers very interesting topics. The individual who took the late Gene Upshaw’s position,  new NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, will be in attendance.

The National Sports Law Institute of Marquette University Law School announces the creation of the National Sports Law Student Writing Competition.  The goal of this annual competition is to encourage law student scholarship on current topics in sports law.  The winner of the competition will receive complimentary registration for the National Sports Law Institute’s annual fall conference on Friday, October 23, 2009, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and an offer to publish their article in the Fall 2009 issue of the Marquette Sports Law Review.

The Entertainment and Sports Law Society at Syracuse University College of Law is proud to announce that the Syracuse University College of Law (SUCOL) Faculty has accepted its proposal for a certificate program. The certificate, which has been named, the Entertainment and Sports Law Studies Certificate, will give students the chance to focus in on this emerging legal field. The ESLS hopes that this certificate will be the first step to building SUCOL into a hub for sports and entertainment like similar programs at Marquette and Tulane.

What: 2009 Scholarly Conference on College Sport

Where: William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education (UNC - Chapel Hill)

When: Thursday (Apr 16) - Saturday (Apr 18)

Blurb:

It is the 2nd annual event for faculty, athletic administrators, students, sport practitioners, and the public interested in research, theory, and critical thinking about college sport and surrounding issues.  It will provide an open forum for independent, organized and focused cross-disciplinary research regarding college sport in the United States.

Panels:

Before ever realizing my love for Sports Law, I was a tech nerd.  I still am a tech nerd.  But back in high school, I debated with the idea of getting into programming.  I just could not live with the idea of sitting behind a computer 24 hours a day, yet I now find myself not being able to live with a laptop by my side and I am heavily entrenched in the world of sports.  Funny how things work out.

Anyway, since starting law school, my appreciation for technology and intellectual property has increased.  I am currently taking a course in Copyright Law that I love, and plan to take courses like Media Law, Cyber Law, and Intellectual Property Litigation before I graduate.  If you think that Sports Law is devoid of IP issues, think again.

What: Symposium - “NCAA Coaches’ Contracts: Diversity and Negotiating Value in the 21st Century”

Where: Florida Coastal School of Law Room 405

When: Friday, April 17 (10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.)

Schedule:

10:30 am - Noon: Ethnic and Gender Issues in NCAA Hiring