Sports’ Accountability Era (Owner Hot Seat), Rodgers, Ruggs, & New NCAA Constitution

Conduct Detrimental: THE Sports Law Podcast

The pattern is undeniable at this point. More and more teams are making legal headlines for the wrong reasons. It’s the onset of the Accountability Era in Sports — owners and executives are coming under fire. We go through the latest on each team and the nuances of the lawyers’ handling of each situation: Washington Football Team (5:26); Phoenix Suns (12:03); Anaheim Ducks (25:10); Chicago Blackhawks (28:00); and Pittsburgh Penguins (36:55). There is a clear legal playbook starting to develop for teams to deal with these situations — we break it down.

Henry Ruggs (46:20). A big update on former Las Vegas Raiders WR Ruggs who has now been charged with two additional felonies (DUI & Reckless Driving for his GF) plus a misdemeanor (weapons charge) and now faces 50+ years in prison. His lawyer asks the public to not “prejudge” the case despite the bad facts. He's right but - for social media - certainly easier said than done with a case like this.

Aaron Rodgers (57:00). Following his Covid test and controversial public comments, Rodgers has been hit with a $14K fine while the Green Bay Packers get hit with $300K. By all indications, it’s an unequivocal violation of the NFL’s protocol, that the Packers allowed to happen, so punishment for both was expected — but should a louder message have been sent here? We debate.

The NCAA Constitution (1:05). In a curious move, the NCAA waives the white flag and proposes an 18-page Constitution in which they essentially divest themselves of all power and punt it to the schools. The motivation behind this is worth a closer inspection since it’s a fundamental shift from their prior hands-on approach to governance. If you’re asking what exactly the NCAA’s role even is after this, you’re not alone.

Legal Life Advice (1:19:59): How to become an NIL Agent while you’re still in school

What to Watch For (1:24:19): Vanessa Bryant Lawsuit, NY Sports Betting Legislation, Coach K’s Farewell Tour at Duke, and PSG Women’s Soccer Tonya-Harding-Fiasco

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Dan Wallach (@WallachLegal)

Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)

Mike Lawson (@Mike_SonOf_Law)

Tarun Sharma (@TKSharmaLaw)

Jason Morrin (@Jason_Morrin)

Conduct Detrimental (@ConDetrimental)

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