The Blitz

The Blitz
Important Sports & Sports Law News 

Week of September 3, 2017

?Tweet of the Week:

This week we have a tie:


and

?Read of the Week:

Another tie; this time 3-way. There was no shortage of great journalism this week, so this was a tough cut, but I decided to go with the opinion pieces of Ed Cunningham, Evan Grossman and Steve Chapman because they truly express my own feelings about the NFL, and judging from some of the response I’m getting, many others have similar reservations. Helpful hint to NFL – If you want to improve your ratings and save your game, clean up your act and stop trying to whitewash it.

⚖️Litigation Lane:

Ezekiel Elliott

Obviously, Ezekiel Elliott is grabbing this week’s biggest headlines.  It’s sometimes hard to  sort through all the massive amounts of media coverage, so I’ve compiled what I feel are the most essential stories and tweets in order to be up to speed with the legal battle ahead.  I think it’s also important to note that Ezekiel Elliott is a challenging case for two reasons (1) Accusations of domestic violence must be dealt with, and (2) the NFL’s discipline process which in Goodell’s reign has been arbitrary, reactionary, and capricious.  The CBA gives Goodell broad latitude in punishing players, often robbing them of the due process most citizens enjoy and all citizens should have access to.  For this reason, until more information comes to light, I’m not forming an opinion on the former, but focusing on the latter is definitely in need of repair in the NFL.  It’s also important to know who to follow in order to get the best information so here are my recommendations:

  • Daniel Wallach – @WALLACHLEGAL (he’s been ahead of this one from the start with spot on and often predictive analysis)
  • Michael McCann – @McCannSportsLaw (balanced and easy to understand legal perspectives)
  • Stephanie Stradley – @StepStradley (thoughtful analysis and sound legal commentary)

Also great follows for the legal drama: @WerlySportsLaw @SportsLawGuy @TheAmir @amilst44

More go-to follows for Ezekiel Elliott info:

Events as they happened…
Monday:


Tuesday (Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal before arbitrator Harold Henderson begins):


Thursday:


This was definitely the question until a middle of the night court filing appeared.

Friday:


Saturday:

Excerpts and analysis:


I included this because:


Don’t be sidetracked. These are two separate issues of equal importance, NFL is interested in good PR and power – not in getting either right. Don’t buy the spin. Weigh the evidence as it comes out for yourself.


Excellent point regarding the power from Alan Milstein


NFL Concussion Settlement

Monday:


Tuesday:


Wednesday:


Thursday:


Like the RD Legal filing, both responses assert that Seeger failed to abide by Rules of Federal Civil Procedure.


Additional serious issues addressed in this one:


Additionally, apparent conflicts of interest regarding the proposed court appointed expert are also revealed.

CHL Minimum Wage Litigation


MLB Scouts Antitrust Wage Lawsuit


St. Louis vs. Rams


Rams’ ex-Season Ticket Holders vs. Rams


Showtime Mayweather-McGregor Lawsuit

?Concussion Discussion:

?Cannabis Conversation:

?Health & Safety:

?NFL Sidelines:

NFLPA


He shouldn’t have to tweet this. NFL players should have health insurance for life like those in NBA and MLB. Also those benefits kick in from day one instead of as in the NFL having to wait 3 years to vest.


More NFLPA issues in last week’s Blitz Special Edition:


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Roster cuts:

On Saturday, all teams were required to pare down to 53-man squads, releasing numerous players.


In addition to these cuts, many more will loose their jobs as some of those cut breath a sign of relief when some under 3-year guys will be picked up on waivers and some 3+ year guys will sign with new teams as free agents.

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Benefits:

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Vontaze Burfict:

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✊?✊?✊?Athlete Activism:

Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts

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Anthem Protests

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?NBA Hoops:

?NCAA Notebook:

?The Scoop on Sports Betting:

Permanent link to this article: https://advocacyforfairnessinsports.org/2017/09/03/the-blitz-3/