AthLegalEaze: The New Age Sports Law Podcast
By Mark Houston II, Esq.
Nah, this ain’t your favorite argumentative sportscast or gossip site. This is legal business perspective, coupled with a true love of sport, dictated to the culture for the culture - by a sports attorney. So lace up your freshest kicks, throw on your comfiest activewear, stretch, and bring ya game face, because it’s GAME TIME!!
HMU athlegaleaze@gmail
AthLegalEaze: The New Age Sports Law PodcastMay 04, 2020
SUPER BOWL LVIII HANGOVER (BET IT)
HOLLYWOOD DIVORCE (Scary Hours)
So You Wanna Collab, HUH?!?!
In SZN2; Episode #2 we vibe out and rap about #sneaker COLLABS. Recently, #NIKE filed a Trademark Infringement lawsuit against #MSCHF Product Studio re its unofficial 'SATAN SHOE' collab with lil Nas X. We change the pace of play this week and hear from NYC based Sneaker Lawyer - Zak Kurtz - on the details of the suit; what MSCHF really risked in promoting an unofficial collab; and how a legally official collab should work by contrasting the Virgil Abloh Jordan 1 'Off-White' collab and licensing deals.
There's still time to hop on the bandwagon as #AthLegalEaze emerges as the #1 overall seed in the #SportsLaw #Podcast category. Don't miss the wave!!
#HeatCheck: 1:26-1:50
Huddle Up GamePlan: 4:00-6:25
Nike v. MSCHF Lawsuit ft. Zak Kurtz - The Sneaker Lawyer:
-> 1st Whistle - 6:26-10:40
-> 2nd Whistle - 10:42-14:18
-> 3rd Whistle - 14:19-18:27
-> Collab Compare and Contrast ft. Virgil Abloh and Licensing Agreement Talk: 20:11-24:15
Call to Action: 24:15
The MADNESS is still upon us
In SZN2; Episode #1 we vibe out and rap about the importance of the Alston v. NCAA case that was granted writ of certiorari by SCOTUS and what implications can be discerned; more developments re Vanessa Bryant's lawsuit against LA County; and an NHL Ref's 'Hot Mic' comments get him iced indefinitely. There's still time to hop on the bandwagon as #AthLegalEaze emerges as the #1 overall seed in the #SportsLaw #Podcast category. Don't miss the wave!!
#HeatCheck: 1:02-1:14
Huddle Up GamePlan: 6:53-7:42
Alston v. NCAA: 7:43-12:45
Case Law = Vanessa Bryant Lawsuit W: 12:46-17:10
Hot Story = NHL Ref 'Hot Mic': 17:16-21:24
Call to Action: 21:30
2020 Sports Biz/Law Year Under Further Review
Upon further review, 2020 wasn't ALL THAT BAD (\-: notwithstanding the COVID-19 Pandemic :-/). We basically got all sports back in one form or another. Sure we all miss sitting the stands, but there was still a lot going on behind the scenes in re to Biz/Legal matters that ultimately were the determining factors in the ability for sporting events to even occur.
Come bring in the New Year 2021 as we vibe out and rap about 2020's most interesting Sports Biz/Legal aspects, lawsuits, and hot stories. We'll be covering the importance of the 'Force Majeure' Clause; NCAA Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL) Changes; Zion Williamson's Breach of Contract Dispute; and 'Lemon Pepper' Lou's Magic City X Lemon Pepper Wing Scandal.
Force Majeure: 3:30-14:45
NIL in the NCAA: 14:46-18:53
Zion Williamson's Representation Lawsuit: 18:54-26:05
'Lemon Pepper' Lou - Magic City X Lemon Pepper Wing Scandal: 26:05-30:30
SZN 1 FINALE No Cap RECAP
Season 1; Episode 16 - All good things must come to an end, right?!? Sike nah, only the seasons have changed and we're back this week with our latest installment. Ever wonder why that new video for Drake's banger, 'Laugh Now, Cry Later,' looks and feels a lot like a NIKE ad/commercial, complete with superstar athlete cameos, views of NIKE's Beaverton, OR HQ, and cringeworthy jumpshots, route running, field awareness, and punch-throwing technique?!? Well, come chop it up with us as we rap about how and why this was a fancy way of fulfilling one's appearance requirements to promote the brand (secret - the answers lies in the endorsement/sponsorship agreements' appearance clauses/definitions which imposes a contractual obligation on the talent).
After we get you hip re that, we'll jump into out first ever NO CAP Recap. In this segment we'll update you on the latest developments from the alleged NFL armed robbery/pay off situation and the newest lawsuit filed as a result of the Kobe Bryant's tragic helicopter crash.
Emergency Pod - This is Bigger Than Sports
Season 1; Episode 15 - After a tumultuous 24 hrs, we have a decision to bring the NBA Playoffs back. In this EMERGENCY POD we discuss the NBA Player led sports boycott that took the world by storm, the ultimate decision the players made to resume the playoffs in the NBA Bubble, and why the decision was likely made. We'll rap about what business context and past legal disputes played a factor in the cooling of heads and what was actually at stake behind the scenes.
Sports Are Back With a Slight Cap
Season 1; Episode 14 - Almost all major sports have returned!! FINALLY!! We'll dive into the new look and feel sports landscape and discuss how sports have returned in our Slight Cap Recap. We'll also be rappin about the NCAA PAC-12 player boycott and the ramifications of their list of demands, how MLB player, Yoenis Cespedes, opted out of the MLB restart mid-game, how the NFL is handling opt outs, which NFL player was the first to opt out and why, and which NFL star will play despite voicing major concerns.
Afterwards, we look to change the pace of the match and invite our very first AthLegalEaze guest to lead our Case Law segment. Kasia Trauben, an Intellectual Property attorney, located in Los Angeles, and focused on patent and trademark work in the fashion world, will put the team on her back and lead our discussion re some legal issues involving wearable technology and logos.
She'll be rappin about patents 101, the NBA Bubble Oura Smart Ring patents, and the Nike v. Adidas (FlyKnit v. PrimeKnit) patent infringement lawsuit. Then we'll discuss trademarks 101, Nike's failed attempt at securing the 'SNKRS' trademark, and the ongoing logo trademark dispute between Monster Energy Drink and the Toronto Raptors.
Be sure to check it out!! Subscribe, Like, & Comment!! HMU at athlegaleaze@gmail.com
The New Wave - NCAA NIL Leak - Will NIL Foot the Bill?!?
Season 1; Episode 13 - There's a new wave in talent representation on the horizon. The NCAA's proposed Name, Image, and Likeness legislation to Congress was leaked shortly before the hearing. Come hang with us as we discuss the leaked summary, spell out what the NCAA proposals really mean for Student Athletes, where agents and advisors fit in, and lastly what anti-trust implications are on the line.
After that, we'll rap about more hot stories involving the Lou Will x Magic City situation and two NFL DUI/DWI cases with vastly different developments. Be sure to check it out!! Subscribe, Like, & Comment!!
Corrections: Lou Will tested **NEGATIVE** each day he was away from the NBA Bubble and will have to quarantine for 10 days upon his arrival back to the Bubble.
Health > Wealth, or so we thought...
Season 1; Episode 12 - Come vibe with us as we discuss the various professional leagues' Covid-19 Opt Out clauses, what opting out of the respective restarts really means for the players, what alternatives are available under the CBAs, and how those attempts are playing out.
In addition, we'll rap about a hot story involving the Redskins organization. Moreover, we'll discuss some recent developments in the two cases that just keep giving - the NFL armed robbery case and Zion representation case. Be sure to check it out!!
What's in a Name, Anyways?!?!
Season 1; Episode 11 - Come hang with us as we discuss the new efforts to finally get the Washington Redskins to change its disparaging ass name. We'll talk about how we got to this point, give a refresher on the past attempts, and decide if this attempt will be fruitful.
Additionally, we'll rap about a few hot stories in sports involving top HS recruits choosing HBCUs over major colleges/universities, and bubble food and amenities for MLS and WNPA starting to feel a lot like Fyre Festival 2.0!!
Come vibe and check it out!!
How You Just Gon' Renege?!?
Season 1; Episode 10 - Come chill with us as we discuss Under Armour's announcement to withdraw from college sport's largest and most lucrative apparel sponsorship deal with UCLA, what legally terminating a contract looks like, and what clause Under Armour might be relying on to terminate this deal.
Additionally, we'll rap about a couple hot stories in the sports involving some alleged cheaters in New England, and some changes in NIL within the NBA world. Lastly, we'll talk about the soon to be infamous Dallas Cowboys dog bite lawsuit!! Check it out!!
Lemme HIP(AA) Ya
Season 1; Episode 9 - You hip or nah?!? Come vibe with us as we discuss how the recent developments in players' health and safety may upset the return of sports, what is and ain't ok according to OSHA and HIPAA laws, what new procedural approaches have been adopted by college sports and the NBA in re to COVID-19.
Moreover, we'll rap about even more hot stories in the sports world, discuss the steps taken forward and steps taken back re social movement progress involving NASCAR and the NCAA, and a couple lawsuits involving a MVP fan favorite athlete and a Major League team!!
It Was All Good Just A Week Ago
Season 1; Episode 8 - Good Faith or Good Grief?!? Come vibe with us as we discuss how the negotiations for the return of sports are going, how these negotiations are supposed to transpire according to the law, what new issues have arisen in the past week between the MLB and MLBPA, and the NBA and some of the NBA's biggest stars.
In this episode, we'll kibitzing it up re more hot stories in the sports-sphere, recent social movement changes prompted by athletes, and a couple lawsuits involving a couple of your favorite athletes!!
Negotiating the Return?!?!
Season 1; Episode 7 - Are major US sports poised for a return?!?! Come athleis with us as we rap about how the negotiations for the MLB, MLS, and NBA are going, what major obstacles each league is facing, and the potential for lockouts!
In this episode, we'll also be bumpin our gums about some hot stories revolving around your favorite sports and the reaction to recent protests. In addition, we'll cover a couple of cases involving a sports entity and one of your favorite athletes over unpaid rent!!
Under the Influence(r)
Season 1; Episode 6 - More NIL news! Come chill with us as we discuss how the Power 5 conferences are attempting to usurp NCAA power in re to NIL, how an athlete can make some bread via social media influencer deals, what those influencer agreements are all about, and what happens if you piss off the FTC.
In this episode, we'll also be rappin about some hot stories revolving around sports and the recent protests involving a couple of your favorite athletes!!
Scared Money Don't Make Money
Season 1; Episode 5 - Big sports news this week! Come kick it with us as we discuss betting, gambling and wagering in sports, what the respective leagues CBAs and bylaws have to say about it, what punishments could entail, and what gambling scandals have occurred thus far.
In this episode, we'll also be rappin about some more weirdly hot stories involving the return of "fans" to world soccer and speaking some more legalease re some of your favorite athletes!!
Just Cause or Just Because?!?!
Season 1; Episode 4 - Sports have preliminarily returned from its hiatus. Come chill with us as we discuss breach of contract, what just cause/material breaches look like in sports, and how these disputes can arise in the sports legal landscape.
In this episode, we'll discuss the slight return of live sports and what our fav sports might look like in a post Covid-19 world. We'll also be rappin about some more hot stories involving your favorite athletes and speaking some more legalease!!
Oh you so SCANDALOUS...Word on the street y’all fresh out of that Institutional Control!!
Corrections: The NCAA provided Kansas with its notice of allegations in Sept. 2019; Kansas filed a formal response to the notice of allegations on March 5, 2020; the discussion herein pertains to the NCAA's response to Kansas' formal response, which Kansas released on May 7, 2020.
Cashin' Out
Season 1; Episode 2 - We're still afloat in the Global Sports Void. Come vibe with us as we discuss endorsement and sponsorship deals, what they consist of, and how these type of agreements have caused some big waves in "amateur" sport.
In this episode, you'll find out how athletes "cash out" off the court/field and help us determine if sports and politics mix. We'll also be rappin about some more hot stories and cases involving your favorite athletes!
Out of the Quarantine Zone and into the Global Sports Void
Welcome the AthLegalEaze
This is Season 1; Episode 1 - Draft WKD Special
April 26, 2020
We're breaking out of the Quarantine Zone during the 2020 NFL Draft Weekend and wading into the Global Sports Void in style. Come vibe with us as we take a break from the quarantine zone monotony to discuss Force Majeure clauses and how these clauses have impacted sport lately. We'll also be rappin about some hot cases involving your favorite athletes!