What: KU Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium

When: Friday, April 15, 2011

Where: Green Hall Room 203

Topics

• Hey, who Tweeted? It wasn’t me!

Social media provides a great forum in which to express oneself, but what free speech rights do collegiate student athletics have within it? May a member institution legally limit student-athlete access to social media? How should athletic departments deal with “ghost tweets” – fake social media accounts and messages attributed to student-athletes, coaches and staff that could make headlines?

• Right of Publicity and Former Student-Athletes

The Ed O’Bannon Case – When do the grant-in-aid rights signed away in college end? Is a former athlete’s likeness forever the property of the NCAA and their member institutions? How will the right of publicity landscape change in the future for student-athletes?

• Death of the NCAA: Could the Super Conference Change the Game?

Could a “Super Conference” system redefine intercollegiate amateurism? What would be the ramifications for student-athletes at institutions that opt out of the NCAA? What would be the ramifications for the NCAA?

• Who Represents the Student-Athlete?

If the grant-in-aid (or scholarship) is a contractual relationship with a NCAA member institution, what power does the student athlete have to negotiate the terms? Who may represent the student athlete without risking NCAA eligibility? Should students fight to be considered employees and unionize? What role should agents play with collegiate athletes? How may the NCAA change such role in the future? How do pro sports league labor negotiations affect the current college student-athletes wishing to enter the pro sports field?

• Big Headache: Ethical Issues Associated with College Football Concussions and Mass Tort Litigation

As research demonstrates the long-term negative effects of damaged caused by repeated head injuries sustained in football, what liability, if any, does the NCAA and member institutions have?  What information and education is being provided to student-athletes by the NCAA, member institutions, medical staff, etc. regarding concussions and the associated risks?  What rights do former student-athletes have to recover for their injuries?

If you have any questions, please email Jade Freeman at Jadefeeman@ku.edu or Libby Harmon at Libby912@ku.edu.

Kansas Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: Business of Amateur Sports Symposium at Southwestern Law School

When: April 8, 2011 (9:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Where: Southwestern Law School (map)

The Business of Amateur Sports is a one-day symposium featuring leading experts exploring some of the most timely and important questions facing collegiate sports today: regulation of agents and discipline of student athletes; the latest medical science on sports-related concussions, and how it may impact safety rules and legal liability; media deals and marketing in college sports, including the use of student-athlete names and likenesses; and the federal antitrust implications of college football’s Bowl Championship Series.

Schedule

9:15 - 10:00 a.m.: Check-in/Coffee

10:00 - 11:30 a.m.: Pre-Professional Athletes in an Amateur World: NCAA Rules, State Laws, Agents and Extra Benefits

• Bob Myers, NBA Agent, Wasserman Media Group
• Warren K. Zola, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, Boston College’s Carroll School of Management
• Marc Isenberg, Principal, INsight Sports Business and Author, Money Players: A Guide to Success in Sports, Business & Life for Current and Future Pro Athletes and Go Pro Like A Pro
• Moderator: Darren Heitner, CEO, Dynasty Athlete Representation and Associate, Koch Parafinczuk & Wolf

11:30 - 11:45 a.m.: Break

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Concussions, Law and Amateur Sports: Implications of Emerging Medical Science for the Regulation of Student Athlete Safety

• Dr. Jason P. Mihalik, Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Daniel E. Lazaroff, Director, Loyola Law Sports Institute, Professor of Law and Leonard Cohen Chair in Law and Economics, Loyola Law School
• Moderator: David Fagundes, Associate Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

1:00 - 2:30 p.m.: Lunch and Special Guest Conversation

• Jim Harrick, Former NCAA Basketball Head Coach and Broadcaster, in conversation with Jeff Fellenzer, Adjunct Professor, USC’s Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism

2:45 - 4:15 p.m.: Big Brands and Bigger Budgets: Marketing, Merchandising and Media Rights in College Sports

• Alonzo (“Al”) Wickers, IV, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine
• Stuart M. Paynter, The Paynter Law Firm
• Jeremy Langer, Vice President Collegiate Sports and Rights Acquisitions, Fox Sports
• Moderator: Debbie Spander, Vice President, Business Affairs, MTV Entertainment and Director, Sports Lawyers Association

4:15 - 4:30 p.m.: Break

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.: The BCS and Competition: An Antitrust Analysis of College Football’s Bowl Championship Series

• Gary R. Roberts, Dean and Gerald L. Bepko Professor of Law, Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis
• Alan G. Fishel, Partner, Arent Fox
• William (“Tripp”) L. Monts, III, Partner, Hogan Lovells
• Moderator: Vered Yakovee, Law Offices of Vered N. Yakovee and Adjunct Associate Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Cocktail Reception

Cost: $85 (General admission), $25 (Students). Register here. 6 CLE credits offered.

2011 Southwestern Law School Sports Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: 4th Annual Nova Southeastern University Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium

When: Saturday, February 19th, 2011 (9:30 a.m. -

Keynote Speaker:  Luther Campbell

9:30-10:00
Check-in and Breakfast

10:00-10:20
Opening Remarks

10:20-11:20
Finding the Money to Finance Entertainment Projects

This panel will discuss how entertainment deals are financed.  In addition to discussing the new Florida Statutes regarding the finance of domestic films, the panelists will also explore the recent case law on the topic.  The panelists will also provide some real life stories and insight in dealing with clients in this area.

• Stewart Merkin, Law Office of Stewart A. Merkin
• Stephen Carlisle, Stephen M. Carlisle, P.L.
• Danielle Schwolow, President/CEO of Status Stalker
• Lawrence Haber, Law Offices of Lawrence H. Haber, P.A.

11:20-12:20
Publicity Rights

With the new litigation regarding publicity rights of student athletes and entertainers, this panel will discuss the impact of publicity rights in the sports and entertainment industry.   This panel will also discuss on the adult entertainment industry as well as current cases and recent holdings.

• Geoffrey Lottenberg, Associate, Lott & Friedland
• Michael Richmond, Professor of Law at Nova Southeastern University
• Ivan J. Parron, PARRON LAW:  Attorneys & Counselors

12:20-1:30
Luncheon

1:30-2:30
Family Managing an Athlete’s Career

This panel will discuss the recent issues regarding Cam Newton and the NCAA loophole dealing with family members exploiting their children for financial gain.  The panel will also converse about the pros and cons of having a family member as a career planner and manager in the sports and entertainment industry.

• Alan Fertel, Partner, Pathman Lewis, LLP
• Darren Heitner, Attorney at Law, Kock Parafinczuk & Wolf, P.A.
• Jason Weiss, Partner, Smith & Verbit, P.L.
• Jennifer Gomez, Esq.
• Kristin Campbell, Attorney & NFL Certified Agent

2:30-2:40
Break

2:40-3:40
IP CYU

This panel will explore measures an attorney can take for protecting the clients that have copyright and trademark issues.  It will develop ways a lawyer can go about selecting clients as well as discussing warning signs when to deny representation to a client.  Further, the panel will discuss factors to consider when deciding to charge on a contingency or flat fee basis.

• Charlotte Towne
• Elliot Zimmerman
• David Rogero

Cost: Price includes Networking Breakfast and Admission to Keynote Luncheon:

• $15 SELS Members
• $25 Non-Members (NSU Students)
• $35 Non-Members (Other Schools)
• $45 General Admission
• $90 Attorneys for CLE

Register Online/Fax or Mail by clicking here. The following CLE credits are offered:

• Maximum Credit: 5.0 hours
• General: 5.0
• Ethics: 1.0
• Certification Program - Maximum Credit: 5.0, Business Litigation: 4.0, Intellectual Property: 5.0

Nova Southeastern Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: Arizona State University Sports & Entertainment Law Conference

When: Saturday, October 30, 2010 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Where: Armstrong Hall at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University

Topic: A-Rod to Jay-Z: Sports and Entertainment Law in the 21st Century. Speakers will present articles that will be published in the inaugural edition of the Sports and Entertainment Law Journal to be housed at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Confirmed speakers and/or authors for the conference include:

• Matthew Bester of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice
• Gregg Clifton with Jackson Lewis LLP
• Allison Brehm with White O’Connor Fink and Brenner, LLP
• Lee Brenner with White O’Connor Fink and Brenner, LLP
• Nevill Johnson with Johnson & Johnson, LLP
• Dana Hooper from Greenberg Traurig
• Connie Mableson of Mableson Law Group
• Elsa Cole, former General Counsel of The NCAA
• Jaia Thomas of the Law Office of Jaia Thomas
• James Marovich of The Marovich Law Firm
• Joy Butler of The Law Office of Joy R. Butler
• Marci Rolnik at Lawyers for the Creative Arts
• Myles Lynk, Professor at ASU College of Law
• Betsy Goff, the former VP of Business and Legal Affairs at IMG, SVP of Business Affairs at ESPN, and Professor of Sports Management at UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management

Cost: Attorney ($160 – includes up to 5 hours CLE), General Public ($40), Law Student/Professor ($10). Register here.

ASU Sports & Entertainment Law Conference from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

It is noted that operating a sports agency the likes of what CAA maintains along with paying its heavyweight agents costs a lot of money, but the investment is supposedly about an exit strategy for CAA’s current owners.

Lourd has always said he wanted to move to NYC as soon as his daughter with Carrie Fisher turns age 18, which she does this year, and to leave the agency biz for the corporate world. Huvane has always talked about wanting to put his own life before his clients’ in the not-so-distant future, and the ever-partying agent thinks that time is near. O’Connor has been complaining about how tired he is of the agency business and its constant demands. Lovett, whom many have thought might be a lifer in the tenpercent biz, has pressing financial needs because of his still-not-final divorce and is blamed by his partners for over-spending and thus over-extending CAA’s financial resources. (Expanding into the sports biz was his idea because he hero-worshipped IMG founder Mark McCormack.)

Not too long ago, I reported that big time CAA baseball agent, Casey Close, might be leaving CAA at the end of his current contract with the company in order to start his own practice or work alongside NBA agent, David Falk.  If the major owners end up leaving the company, how will it affect the rest of the CAA landscape?  Will there be a vacuum for power?  Will Casey Close leave?  May other big name agents leave?

$200 Million Investment In Creative Artists Agency? from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: The annual Sport, Entertainment & Venues Tomorrow (SEVT) Conference

When: November 17-19, 2010

Where: Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina (map)

Description: Hosted by the University of South Carolina and the trade publication Venues Today, SEVT is the a conference where professionals meet students and professors to discuss the future of this industry.

SEVT invites nominations for the 2010 Academic Achievement in Sport and Entertainment Award.  This award recognizes a scholar whose research and/or teaching has made a significant positive impact in the fields of sport, entertainment, or venue management.  This recipient’s analysis of trends and industry research has led to meaningful dialogue between academicians and industry professionals.  Please note: nomination deadline is August 1, 2010.  Last year’s award recipient was Dr. David Stotlar, University of Northern Colorado.  Click here for the nomination form.

There is also a call for papers.  The submission deadline is July 5, 2010 (11:59 PM EDT).

Speakers (more will be added as the event approaches):

• Aldo Giampaolo, Executive Producer, Cirque du Soleil
• Barry Kahn, Chief Executive Officer, Qcue
• Alf LaMont, Director of Marketing and Development, The Comedy Store
• Larry Martin, Vice President of Operations, ScoreBig, Inc.
• Mike McGee, Executive Vice President, North American Business Operations, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc.
• Derek Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer, Tickets.com
• Dr. Karen Patten, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina Department of Technology Support and Training Management
• Bill Powell, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Southern Region, Feld Entertainment, Inc.
• Ike Richman, Vice President Public Relations, Comcast-Spectacor
• Kim Shiver, Vice President of Marketing, Live Nation Southeast
• Russ Simons, Senior Principal, Populous
• J.L. “Lynn” Singleton, President, Providence Performing Arts Center
• Jared Smith, Executive Vice President, Field Business Operations, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc.

Cost (click here to register):

• If register by October 20 – Industry ($395), Academic ($275), Student ($200), USC SPTE Alumni ($200).
• If register after October 20 – Industry ($445), Academic ($325), Student ($250), USC SPTE Alumni ($250).
• Faculty who register 10 or more students for the full conference will receive a complimentary full conference registration.
• Listed prices above is for full conference. If attending for a single day or for special events, there are cheaper options.

Sport, Entertainment & Venues Tomorrow (SEVT) Conference from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

When: April 10, 2010 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

Where: 201 Beggs Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 (map)

Cost: Free (RSVP recommended – famueasls@gmail.com)

Agenda:

8:30-9:30 AM – Symposium Registration and Continental Breakfast

10:00-10:50 AM –Entertainment: Building your own Consummate Entertainment Practice

• Michael L. Moore, Esq., The Law Offices of Michael L. Moore & Associates, P.A.– Moderator*
• Tanya Mitchell Graham, Esq., The Law Office of Tanya Mitchell Graham, P.C.
• Bernie Lawrence Watkins, Esq., B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates, P.C.

11:00-11:50 AM – Sports: Maximizing your potential: Alternative Careers in Sports

• Nyea Sturman, Esq., Partnership Business Manager, Orlando Magic – Moderator
• Sashi Brown, Esq., Assistant General Counsel, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Joe Pierce, Bank of America, Sports

12:00-12:50 PM – Lunch and Keynote Address

• Ms. Nina Dawne-Williams, Esq., 2009-2010 Chair, Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, The Florida Bar

1:00-1:50 PM – *Music: The State of Music and Performance Royalties in the face of the Performance Rights Act

• Kendall Minter, Esq., Minter & Associates, LLC.– Moderator
• Mattias Eng, Esq., Senior Director, Business Affairs at Sony Music Entertainment
• Noni Ellison-Southall, Esq., Senior Counsel, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

2:00-2:50 PM – *IP: Legal Aspects of Social Media Marketing

• Terry M. Sanks, Esq., Beusse Wolter Sanks Mora & Maire, P.A. – Moderator
• Ashley Page, Esq., Associate, Alston & Bird, LLC.
• Raynarldo K. Whitty, Esq., Counsel, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

*All items marked with an asterisk (*) are in the confirmation process.

**All panel times, topics and panelists are subject to change without notice.

There will also be a pre-Symposium Mixer at the Bosendorfer Lounge at The Grand Bohemian Hotel on April 9, 2010 from 7-9 p.m.

Florida A&M Entertainment And Sports Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Type in Happy Walters into a Google Search.  One of the top listings is his IMDB page.  Did you know that Happy Walters was the inspiration for Adam Sandler to create his hit movie, Happy Gilmore?  If only poor Chubs would get his hand back.  Sandler was even Happy’s Best Man at Happy’s wedding.  While Happy Walters has really established himself in the world of sports, he is also a giant on the Entertainment side.  With sports and entertainment becoming more one-and-the-same by the day, this has to work in Happy’s favor.  He is very big in the Music scene (as a supervisor) and has also produced quite a few movies and TV shows.

Music Supervisor, Producer, Sports Agent (which I have not even got to yet), and photographer?  Another top Google Search result leads to Happy’s personal website at www.HappyWalters.com.  This is the official Happy Walters Photography website, where Life Portraits, Color Photography, and Music Photography are highlighted.

People think that I am a busy man?  I bet Happy Walters has a little bit more on his plate.  When he is not bringing bands like KoRn and Cypress Hill to the forefront of music, he is also managing athletes.  His biggest client is Amare Stoudemire, but he also represents DeJuan Blair, Shawne Williams, Curtis Jerrells, and former Florida Gator, Corey Brewer.  There are other basketball players on his clientèle roster, and Happy may even make a splash in this year’s draft.  Rumors have been surfacing lately that Happy may have a solid chance of representing University of Kentucky’s, John Wall.  He has already signed UTEP’s Derrick Caracter.

Happy Walters’ company in the Music industry is called Immortal (EMD).  So when he started his agency to represent athletes, it made sense to call the new venture, Immortal Sports.  But it looks like things are changing on the sports end.  Happy is transitioning to creating a new sports entity called, Rogue Sports.  In fact, the website for the new company is already under development.  It will probably be taken down or moved sometime soon after posting this, but I find the headlines quite humorous, so I am taking a screenshot and posting it here for your enjoyment.  Make sure to read the one about Drew Rosenhaus!

To conclude, I think it will be very interesting to track Rogue Sports and all of Happy’s ventures in the future.  Reading a bit more about his past, I definitely commend Happy and look up to him as a pure entrepreneur and someone who should be respected in this industry.  Good luck to him with this year’s draft class and in all future pursuits.

Agent Spotlight: Happy Walters from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

What: 3rd Annual Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance (GEMA) Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium

When: April 16, 2010 (8:15 a.m. -

Where: Georgetown University, McDonough Room 200

Cost: Attorney receiving CLE credit ($159, $179), Attorney/Practitioner w/out CLE credit ($99, $129), Non-Georgetown Student ($19, $39), Georgetown Student (Free, Free).  First number is applicable if you register before April 7th.  Second price is if you wait until after that date to register.  Click here to register.

Agenda:

8:15 – 9:00 a.m. – Networking Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:10 – 10:55 a.m. - Adapting to New Media: A Look at the Legal Barriers Faced by the Entertainment and Media Industries in Adapting their Business Models to Include New Media.

• Dan Brenner, Partner, Hogan and Hartson
• Erin Dozier – Associate General Counsel, National Association of Broadcasters
• Bennett Fidlow – Partner, Schroder, Fidlow, Titley & Davis, PLC
• Mark MacCarthy - Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University
• Jon Sichel – Acting General Manager, Travel Channel Media

11:00 – 12:30 p.m. - The Future of the Music Industry: A Look at the Drastic Changes to the World of Music.

• Robyn Guilliams – Attorney, Fettmann, Tolchin & Majors, P.C.
• Marcus Johnson – Founder, Three Keys Music Label
• Colin Rushing – Attorney, SoundExchange

12:30 – 1:30 -p.m. – Lunch

1:35 – 3:05 p.m. - Privacy v. Publicity: A Look at the Competing Interests of an Athlete and Entertainer’s Right to Privacy versus the Media’s Right to Speak Freely.

• Meaghan Kent – Attorney, Venable LLP
• Terence Ross – Partner, Crowell & Moring
• Alicia Shephard – Professor, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies; Ombudsman, National Public Radio

3:10 – 3:35 p.m. – Networking Break

3:40 – 5:10 p.m. - Labor and Arbitration in Sports: A Look at the Role of Arbitration in the Sports Industry.

• Donald Fish – Assistant General Manager, Director of Legal Affairs, Washington Capitals
• Damon Jones – Vice President and General Counsel, Washington Nationals
• James Oldham – Professor, Georgetown Law; Labor Arbitrator
• Benjamin Zelenko – Senior Counsel, Baach, Robinson and Lewis PLLC

5:10 – 6:30 p.m. – Reception

7:05 p.m. – Washington Nationals Game - Tickets will be sold in conjunction with Symposium registration at a discounted rate.

Georgetown Sports & Entertainment Law Symposium from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules

Baseball

• A battle between Jose Julio Ruiz and his former agent, Jorge Luis Toca [Ruiz, Ex-Agent Clash Over Split].
• Pretty pointless, but could prevent future long negotiations if both sides are content [Are Mutual Options Baseball's New Fad?].
• Mike Lupica mostly targets Scott Boras [With controversial doctors like Tony Galea, sports agents seem to walk away without fault].
• Always good to recognize the great things that host families do for players [The next Giants' prospect could be staying in your guest room].
• Really interesting to see how the holding may affect New Era hats in baseball [Practical Effects of American Needle v. NFL on a Minor League Baseball Team].
• Is the answer really more scholarships? [Hunter was wrong, but had valid point].

Sports Law

• Has NCAA bylaw 12.3.4.2 helped create a new agent selection counseling industry? [The Wild Card – 12.3.4, USC, and You]

Coaches

• CAA may quickly attain the most successful coaching division in the industry [Wesley to become rep for coaches].

Shabbat Shalom: Friday Wrap-Up (3/12/2010) from Sports Agent Blog - Sports Business, Sports Law, Sports Negotiations, NCAA Rules