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@sportico.bsky.social
1.7K followers 21 following 1.3K posts

Sportico is a high quality digital content company providing sports business breaking news, data, information, strategies, leadership and insight. Sign up for our newsletters: cloud.email.sportico.com/signup

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Sara Germano @germanotes.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I have a proposal for the NBA: waive the second apron for Finals-winning teams for one (1) year. Owners should not be jettisoning core players in the interest of "roster flexibility" before champion teams even receive their rings. My Substack debut for Club @sportico.bsky.social
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
The Chicago Cubs win their misappropriation and trademark lawsuit against Wrigley View Rooftop over sale of rooftop seats in a building across the street. The judge didn't agree that Wrigley View Rooftop can use its property as it sees fit. We have details + analysis at @sportico.bsky.social:
sportico.com
Chicago Cubs Win Wrigley Field Rooftop Lawsuit
A judge granted the Chicago Cubs a permanent injunction to stop Wrigley View Rooftop from selling seats to watch Cubs games from a nearby building.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Arizona State University has placed hockey coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave after players requested he be removed pending an investigation into the recent collapse of defenseman Matthew Mayich. The move has major legal implications in a controversy that is expanding:
sportico.com
ASU Puts Hockey Coach on Leave as Legal Issues Hover Over Injury
With Arizona State placing head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave, the severe injury suffered by Matthew Mayich raises legal questions.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The average WNBA game drew 11,474 fans in 2026 That's up 76% from the pre-COVID average
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Yankees drew 48,437 fans for their victory in the AL WC opener last night. But when the postseason ends, it's unclear when Yankee Stadium will be full again because of MLB's impending labor dispute. The Yanks are prepared. Story at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/business/rea...
sportico.com
Yankee Stadium Has Cash Cushion in Case of 2027 MLB Lockout
The New York Yankees' home venue has an emergency fund of nearly $120 million.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Backers of the Protect College Sports Act contend if it becomes law, the PCSA would hold agents of college athletes accountable, prevent excessive commissions and ensure NIL deals are paid out. They have a point, but the facts and the law are complicated: www.sportico.com/law/analysis....
sportico.com
PCSA’s Backers Lambast College Athlete Agents
College sports agents will be regulated much more closely if the PCSA becomes law, a point the bill's backers argue will increase athlete pay.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Incredible stat: No NHL player making more than $10 million against the salary cap has ever won the Stanley Cup 🚫🏆 In 2026-27, 18 out of 32 teams are paying a player more than $10 million... will the NHL's $10+M ice ceiling finally shatter? Read more: www.sportico.com?p=1234945986
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Mickey Mantle Topps rookie card sold for $12.6 million a few years ago. Now Mantle I.P., which owns Mantle's trademarks and NIL, has sued a card company that allegedly reproduced aspects of that iconic card. A very interesting sports and IP case: www.sportico.com/law/analysis....
sportico.com
Mickey Mantle Baseball Cards Spark NIL, Trademarks Lawsuit
A company that controls the IP of the late Yankees star Mickey Mantle argues a card company is making unauthorized trading cards featuring "the Mick."
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Every year, sports teams are being valued at higher multiples of revenue than before The NHL is no exception, with the average value up to $2.43 billion (9.4x revenue)
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Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Brazil's second thoughts on legalized online betting are bad news for FanDuel parent Flutter Entertainment. The company was already reeling from India passing an anti-gambling law last year.
sportico.com
FanDuel’s Parent Can’t Buy a Break
Brazil's about-face around online betting delivers the second blow to Flutter in a major market in two years.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
8 of the top 10 highest-spending MLB teams made the playoffs 💰💰 3 of the top 5 bottom-spending teams made the playoffs 🚫💵
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
If limiting college athlete pay is necessary to "save" college sports, why not limit coach pay too? Some senators want to cap coaches at $5 million. Would that survive a legal challenge? And is it good policy? My @sportico.bsky.social legal column: www.sportico.com/law/analysis....
sportico.com
Cap on College Coach Cash Crashes Congress’ PCSA Debate
The Protect College Sports Act could feature a cap on coaches' compensation, which would probably withstand legal scrutiny but raises many questions.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The federal circuit split widens for Kalshi and sports prediction markets as the Sixth Circuit joins the Ninth Circuit in ruling that sports event contracts aren't swaps, so can be regulated by state betting laws. I discuss with @dan-bernstein.bsky.social for @sportico.bsky.social:
sportico.com
Kalshi Split Widens With 6th Circuit Ruling on Sports Event Contracts
Kalshi's legal efforts to combat states regulation sports prediction markets through gambling laws hit a snag on Friday with the 6th Circuit's ruling.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Last week, two NFL head coaches named Todd Robert faced off That same day, we had Mike Vrabel vs. Mike McCarthy and Mike Macdonald vs. Mike LaFluer This week, Sean Patrick McVay will coach against Patrick Sean Payton This is bonkers
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Eben Novy-Williams @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
You won't believe the name overlaps among NFL head coaches 🤯 In Week 1, Mike Vrabel coached against Mike Macdonald. Then both coached against other Mikes in Week 2. Two NFL coaches named Todd Robert faced off last week. This week, it's two Sean Patricks 👇
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Huge soccer news as Manchester City FC loses arbitration over allegations regarding deceptive accounting and spending strategies. The club could now face relegation, among other types of potential penalties. We have details and analysis @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/law/analysis....
sportico.com
Man City Found Guilty of Breaking Premier League Financial Rules
An independent arbitration commission held that Manchester City violated rules in how it has maintained a dominant club.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Kalshi refers to MLB teams like the Red Sox and Yankees as "Boston" and "New York," but with Liga MX, Kalshi uses league trademarks and the real names of clubs. That's now at issue in a federal trademarks lawsuit, as @dan-bernstein.bsky.social and I detail for @sportico.bsky.social:
sportico.com
Kalshi-Liga MX Lawsuit Revives Gambling Logo-Use Debate
Kalshi is accused of trademark infringement by using Liga MX marks and logos, but Kalshi is poised to argue it has a right to use those properties.
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Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Kalshi is accused of infringing on Liga MX trademarks in a new lawsuit. This NCAA and NFL previously stopped short of taking the prediction market operator to court for similar activity.
sportico.com
Kalshi-Liga MX Lawsuit Revives Gambling Logo-Use Debate
Kalshi is accused of trademark infringement by using Liga MX marks and logos, but Kalshi is poised to argue it has a right to use those properties.
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Eben Novy-Williams @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Cowboys' $2 billion development around The Star is the envy of many sports teams. Now the world's most valuable sports franchise is getting ready to develop the land around its stadium. More on the Cowboys' plans for AT&T Stadium at @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/rea...
sportico.com
Cowboys Eye Star-Like Development Around AT&T Stadium
The Dallas Cowboys are considering a mixed-use development around AT&T Stadium, similar to what the team notably did around its practice facility.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
There have been several athletes suspended for testing positive for substances banned by anti-doping rules who claim the positive tests resulted from meat they ate. Tara Moore challenged her suspension through arbitration and in court but comes up short. My @sportico.bsky.social column:
sportico.com
Tennis Player’s ‘Bad Meat’ Doping Suspension Upheld by Court
A judge denies suspended tennis player Tara Moore's petition to vacate an arbitration award related to her blaming contaminated meat for drug result.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Multiple federal agencies are looking into Mark Walter's dense web of overlapping insurance interests. Earlier this year, he used the PWHL's intellectual property as backing for a loan. My story, with @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social, at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/business/fin...
sportico.com
Mark Walter Used PWHL Trademarks as Collateral for BlackRock Loan
Multiple federal agencies are looking into the embattled billionaire’s dense web of overlapping insurance interests. Earlier this year, he used the women’s hockey league’s intellectual property as bac...
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
ESPN intervenes to become a defendant in a multimillion dollar lawsuit against WWE over price increases moving premium live events from Peacock to ESPN. Very interesting case as more live sports content moves to streaming. I have details + legal analysis for @sportico.bsky.social:
sportico.com
ESPN Enters Ring in WWE Streaming Lawsuit
A federal judge has granted ESPN's motion to intervene to defend against Diesa & Toback v. WWE, a case over alleged deception in prices to watch WWE.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The U.S. Supreme Court now has another reason to review Kalshi and sports prediction markets, as the Ninth Circuit decides Blue Lake Rancheria v. Kalshi, a case involving sports event contracts on tribal lands and finding that those contracts are bets. My @sportico.bsky.social legal column:
sportico.com
Kalshi, Tribes Appellate Ruling Could Grab SCOTUS Attention
The 9th Circuit issues second decision against Kalshi as the Supreme Court could find unique federal, state and tribal legal issues worthy of review.
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Eben Novy-Williams @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
SCOOP: The Steinbrenners are selling a small piece of their Yankees equity (more than 4% of the team's parent) as part of the $2.6 billion Apollo deal... More from Kurt and Scott @sportico.bsky.social 👇 www.sportico.com/business/tea...
sportico.com
Steinbrenner Family Selling 4% Yankees Stake in Apollo Deal
The Steinbrenner family is selling a small part, more than 4%, of its ownership in the New York Yankees as part of the already-announced Apollo deal.
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Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The “brutal, bloody” war Kalshi's CEO declared last year against “100 tribes” and other critics of his company does not include the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, which teamed up with Kalshi today.
sportico.com
Kalshi Asks Tribes to Embrace Prediction Markets After First Deal
CEO Tarek Mansour suggested early movers will be rewarded. Sportico breaks down the industry implications.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Scoop from me and @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social! MLS is implementing some significant changes over the next 12 months. Among those still under consideration is a potential presenting sponsorship like those seen in many European leagues. At @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/business/spo...
sportico.com
MLS Shops Lucrative Presenting Sponsorship as It Preps ‘MLS 3.0’
Major League Soccer is implementing some significant changes over the next 12 months. Among those still under consideration is a potential presenting sponsorship like those seen in many European leagu...
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The NFL says Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright—players who went from college to the NFL and back to college in a span of months—can't return to NFL this season. They've sued the NCAA to return to college football. Could they sue NFL to return to pro football? Yes, but they'd face long odds:
sportico.com
NFL Nixes Return of Pro-to-College Players, Raising Legal Questions
NFL teams can't sign Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, both of whom were not drafted, cut from training camps as rookies and then tried to join LSU.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
It was a high scoring Week 1 in the NFL, but that doesn't mean that it was a triumph of offense over defense Points per play was high due to good field position off big kickoff returns and turnovers Offensive EPA per play, however, was quite mediocre Data from @sumersports.bsky.social
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Top 40 highest salaries in the NFL, per @spotrac.com ⬇️ Quarterbacks, wide receivers and edge rushers account for 35 of the top 40
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Andy Reid, John Harbaugh and Sean Payton each make $20 million a year, per @sportico.bsky.social There are 10 NFL coaches making at least $14 million in average annual salary
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Most Premier League jersey sponsors in the 1990s were technology 💻 or food & beverage 🍕🍺 companies By the 2020s, they were mostly gambling 🎲 or finance 💵 companies Starting with the 2026–27 season, the EPL has banned gambling companies from the front of matchday shirts
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A key debate in the NCAA eligibility litigation is whether having more players is good or bad for college sports. Generally, higher supply means more competition, usually a good thing. But the NCAA argues that doesn't hold true for these players. My @sportico.bsky.social legal column:
sportico.com
Do More Eligible Players Improve College Sports? The NCAA Argues No
The NCAA's latest brief in Wisne v. NCAA addresses how more and better players playing college sports could undermine the product.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The @pgatourus.bsky.social has hired John Fizer as its SVP of investor relations, a role centered on navigating the equity components of golf’s new world. That coincides with another pair of additions to the tour's senior leadership. Story at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/personalitie...
sportico.com
PGA Tour Adds First-Ever Investor Relations Executive
John Fizer joins the tour in a role centered on navigating the equity components of golf’s new world order.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Steve Ballmer apologizing is a major development because it signals we likely won't see Los Angeles Clippers v. NBA in court, a case that would have faced major obstacles. The timing is also noteworthy given the DOJ's investigation. I have details and analysis @sportico.bsky.social:
sportico.com
Ballmer Apology Signals No Legal Fight Over NBA Penalties
Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer apologizing for the salary cap circumvention scandal brings with it important legal implications.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
88 of the past 89 men's singles tennis Grand Slams have been won by Europeans 🎾🇪🇺🏆 Who will be the next non-European man to win a Grand Slam?
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
No matter what happens in Tiafoe vs. Shelton tonight, American men's tennis is in a good place 🇺🇸
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Sportico @sportico.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The history of American flag football goes back decades.
sportico.com
NFL 2026: The League’s Flag Football Long Game Is Paying Dividends
In the 1990s, the NFL and NFLPA invested $100 million in youth football, including flag football, to inspire young fans. It's now reaping dividends.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Justice Department's investigation of the Los Angeles Clippers and the salary cap/Kawhi scandal is a major development. The feds can uncover far more evidence than the NBA or a law firm. The risks morph from mere sports penalties to potential prison time. My @sportico.bsky.social column:
sportico.com
DOJ Probe Into Clippers, Kawhi Adds Criminal Risk to Cap Case
In a move that could turn a sports scandal into a potential criminal saga, the Justice Department is now probing the Clippers' cap circumvention.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
SCOOP: The unnamed golfer with a 0.23% stake in LIV Golf at the time of its bankruptcy filing is none other than...Phil Mickelson. Story with @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social and @soshnick.bsky.social at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/leagues/golf...
sportico.com
Mickelson Is Unnamed Player-Shareholder in LIV Golf Filing
It has yet to be confirmed what will happen to the six-time major champion’s stake as the tour goes through the process of restructuring.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It’s been 21 years since the NFL last played in Japan. Will the league re-open that market? Story at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/leagues/foot...
sportico.com
NFL 2026: The NFL Has a Big—and Lucrative—Opportunity in Japan
It’s been 21 years since the league last played in the East Asian nation. Will it re-open that market? Examining the NFL's international opportunity.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
After LIV Golf filed for bankruptcy, details have slowly trickled out as to what it would take for the breakaway circuit to survive. But the prospect of pulling that off has at least one creditor on edge. With @ebennovywilliams.bsky.social at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/leagues/golf...
sportico.com
LIV Golf’s Bankruptcy Through the Eyes of One of Its Creditors
The bankruptcy filings include a full-term sheet for LIV’s pending $300 million financing arrangement with BC Partners.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The SEC's legal battle with LSU, and the Big 12's now-resolved legal battle with Texas Tech, are signs we're entering a new era of college sports law: The conferences using the courts to enforce their rules. This is a big deal and will impact teams. My @sportico.bsky.social legal column:
sportico.com
SEC’s LSU Threat Puts Conference Autonomy to the Test
College sports has long been run by the NCAA but conferences are now taking their powers to court, as SEC v. LSU and Big 12 v. Texas Tech have shown.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Forget brand deals. Coco Gauff joins LeBron James, Tom Brady and a generation of athletes building production companies and media empires. But in today’s Hollywood, star power only gets you so far. My story for @thr.com and @sportico.bsky.social: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
hollywoodreporter.com
The Athlete Is the Studio
Forget brand deals. Coco Gauff joins LeBron James, Tom Brady and a generation of athletes building production companies and media empires. But in today’s Hollywood, star power only gets you so far.
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Justin Birnbaum @justbirny.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Over the past five months, LIV Golf has lost its funding, canceled events and laid off most of its staff. Now, the breakaway circuit has filed for bankruptcy. What to know and what comes next at @sportico.bsky.social: www.sportico.com/leagues/golf...
sportico.com
LIV Golf Files for Bankruptcy: What to Know and What Comes Next
It’s the latest move in the breakaway circuit’s fight for survival after the PIF of Saudi Arabia pulled funding.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Any day now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will issue a ruling in the NFL Sunday Ticket class action antitrust litigation. Billions of dollars and how we watch NFL games are on the line. My @sportico.bsky.social deep dive into the case and why you should care about how it ends:
sportico.com
NFL 2026: Sunday Ticket Faces Legal Reckoning
A multibillion-dollar case over the NFL Sunday Ticket is before the 9th Circuit and the court's ruling could shake up how NFL games are watched.
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Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The old days of sports video games are, as long-ago Visual Concepts contributor Chris Berman would say, “Back, back, back, back … Gone!”
sportico.com
‘NBA 2K27’ Is Not for the Nostalgic
The basketball video game franchise takes some small steps forward but lacks some of the creative touches its studio included 20+ years ago.
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Lev Akabas @levakabas.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
WNBA commissioner Cathy Englebert will retire after this season Franchise valuations have soared during her tenure... In 2021, Mark Davis bought the Las Vegas Aces for ~$2-3 million. The average team is now worth $427 million, per @sportico.bsky.social
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Louisiana judge rules players who signed with NFL teams can play for LSU, but the SEC's federal lawsuit against LSU and Lane Kiffin complicates the situation. Things like abstention doctrine & not being held in contempt are now real issues. My @sportico.bsky.social column:
sportico.com
Ruling for LSU’s Ex-NFL Players Sets Up State-Federal Court Clash
As a state judge in Louisiana rules that players who signed NFL contracts can join LSU, the SEC is suing LSU in federal court as legal battle widens.
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Dan Bernstein @dan-bernstein.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The NFL sent a spicy letter to all prediction market exchange operators tonight. "It is deeply concerning that bets within the objectionable categories that we identified months ago have been and continue to be listed as contracts on exchanges." Below are some specific objections.
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Michael McCann @mccannsportslaw.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Just when you think college sports and the law can't get any crazier, the Southeastern Conference has sued LSU and Lane Kiffin in a First Amendment case over recruitment of players who signed with NFL teams. Here's my Sportico legal column on SEC v. LSU: www.sportico.com/law/analysis....
sportico.com
SEC Sues LSU and Lane Kiffin Over Recruiting NFL Players
The SEC on Thursday elevated the legal battle over recruitment of NFL players back to college football by suing LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin.
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