Chidi Oteh is an experienced associate at Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston in their asset management and sports groups. In his sports practice, Chidi works on the negotiation of employment, sponsorship, media and speaking arrangements for various collegiate and professional coaches, administrators and broadcasters. In addition, he assists in the negotiation of sponsorship, licensing, […]
A new player has entered the sports acquisition industry, and a familiar face is involved Billy Beane’s new project seems to be the antithesis to his infamous “Moneyball” scheme. Private-equity firm RedBird Capital Partners, with whom Beane is now partnering, has not shied away from making splashy, lucrative acquisitions in the sports industry. RedBird, through
Baseball is the national pastime of both the United States and Cuba, but players from the Caribbean nation who dream of playing in the Major Leagues have only two options: defect during international tournaments or embark on maritime journeys at the mercy of human smugglers. Both options are extremely dangerous and preclude any chance of
This past week, Law360 reported the Chicago White Sox filed a motion to dismiss a suit brought by Oakland Athletics’ outfielder Dustin Fowler earlier this month. The team argues that the claims brought by Fowler are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which would require Fowler to pursue arbitration before filing suit in court.
In the latest tax reform proposal, private activity bonds – a standard tool to finance stadium construction for decades – have been placed on the chopping block. House Republicans released proposed tax reforms that would eliminate private activity bonds. Interest earned on private activity municipal bonds is tax exempt. It is estimated that the government
On October 30, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 271, a gaming expansion bill that legalizes, among other things, online sports betting in Pennsylvania. Wolf’s signature comes a week after the state legislature passed the bill, which legalizes and regulates daily fantasy sports, online gambling, and sports betting. The bill includes a steep 36%
Major League Baseball and the Chicago Cubs have been sued by John “Jay” Loos after he was hit by a foul ball in August at Wrigley Field. Seated along the first-base line, Loos was hit in the left eye and subsequently removed from Wrigley by stretcher and ambulance. Six weeks after the injury, Loos has
The Journal on Sports and Entertainment Law recently sat down with Dave Prouty, who serves as General Counsel for the Major League Baseball Players Association, to discuss current issues involving baseball. Dave graduated from Harvard Law School in 1986, and received his BA from Bowdoin College in 1980. The interview was conducted by Loren
The Journal on Sports and Entertainment Law recently sat down with David Friedman, Senior Vice President, Legal & Government Affairs for the Red Sox and Senior Counsel for Fenway Sports Group, to discuss current issues in sports law. The interview was conducted by Loren Shokes, an Entertainment and Sports Highlight Contributor for the Harvard Journal
According to the Chicago Tribune, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have halted construction of video boards and outfield advertising signs as part of the Chicago Cub’s $375 Million renovation plan for Wrigley Field. Rooftop operators beyond left field, who sell season tickets to watch the Cubs games from
According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Georgia Supreme Court recently heard oral argument concerning the validity of municipal bonds used to fund the Atlanta Braves’ proposed new stadium, SunTrust Park. The Plaintiffs, representing the Cobb County taxpayers, alleged that Georgia’s Constitution prevents public funding of a private project without a voter referendum. However, the Defendants
