progress realized?

Before the first snap from scrimmage, Super Bowl XLI will be like no other National Football League championship game in history. On the Chicago Bears sideline, Lovie Smith will pilot his team as the first African American head coach to ever lead an NFL team to the Super Bowl. Across the field will stand Smith’s mentor and friend, Tony Dungy who became the second African American head coach (by about four hours) to lead his NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, into a Super Bowl.Whatever barriers existed between African American head coaches and the...

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Sports and Due Process (Or More Looking Over Game Officials' Shoulders)

O.J. Mayo of Huntington (W. VA) High School, purportedly the best high-school player in the country and bound for U.S.C. next fall, played in a high-profile basketball game Tuesday night against Lakewood (CA) Artesia High School. This was one of those increasingly common made-for-TV games; this one was played at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium between top-ranked high school teams, neither of which is particularly close to Durham, NC. Mayo scored 19 points before fouling out in Huntington's win.This is worth mentioning on Sports Law Blog because...

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andré douglas pond cummings and Gabe Feldman: Guest Bloggers

We are thrilled to have two distinguished scholars guest blog: andré (dré) douglas pond cummings and Gabe Feldman.dré is an associate professor of law at West Virginia University College Law, where he teaches sports and the law, civil procedure, and other courses. He's originally from Los Angeles and is a graduate of Brigham Young University (where he was on the track team) and Howard Law School. He later practiced law in Chicago at Kirkland & Ellis, where he represented NFL players and Hollywood screenwriters and novelists. He has won numerous...

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Sports Leagues as Courts of Appeals

The NFL this week fined the Saints' Reggie Bush $ 5000 for taunting the Bears' Brian Urlacher during Bush's touchdown catch-and-run in the NFC Championship game. Bush pointed towards Urlacher (running several yards behind him) at the end of the run, then did a front somersault into the end zone.What is interest is that Bush did not draw a taunting penalty on the play. In other words, the game officials on the field either did not see it (unlikely, because it was pretty hard to miss, especially the somersault) or did not think it was worth a flag....

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Reductionism and NASCAR

Whenever I mention that I like NASCAR, there is always some addled brained diseased cerebrum fucktard who likes to spout off that he doesn't see the entertainment value in watching a bunch of guys drive in a circle. Now, I can see why some people don't like NASCAR, and I don't think it is a crime not to be interested in stock car racing. To each his own, I say. But to use reductionism as an argument is just pure shitheadedness. I'll apply the same logic to other endeavors:FOOTBALLWatching a bunch of guys slam into each other chasing after an inflated...

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The One and Only Berlusconi...

Mr. Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian Prime-Minister, eternal President of the great AC Milan and owner of Mediaset, is perhaps better known for his less than commendable antics and over the top comments. However, he brings to international headlines a truly interesting case, at a time when the Italian Competition Authority just released its very own view on the need...

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Ears and Ali on their way home

I said good bye to dear old Ears again today. Not sure if I will see her again as she is 20 years old this year and in foal with probably her last. Her home is now in Tauranga and she and her paddock mate Ali are both in foal to Hamish and due in October. Ali decided that she really did not want to leave Hamish so stood on her hind legs and waved her front legs in the air...

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NHL Players Approve Independent Investigation of Saskin's Hiring

On Thursday this week, a majority of the 30 NHLPA-player representatives approved an independent investigation into the hiring of executive director Ted Saskin. Back in June, 2005, the union accepted a collective bargaining agreement that ended the lockout and for the first time contained a salary cap, which ran counter to the views that former executive director Bob Goodenow expressed in negotiations with the league. Shortly thereafter on July 28 2005, Goodenow was dismissed and, that same day, Saskin was hired as executive director. Last October,...

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On foal watch again (Maude)

Finally Maude is starting to look close so the alarm is on and she is parked in the front paddock by the bedroom. Knowing the horses this year, she will hang on for another fortnight but as she was at 342 days on Jan 20th, I REALLY hope not!!! And I included this pic of Finn, just coz it's cu...

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Introducing The Situationist

Dear Friends & Readers:I wanted to let you know that I am the co-creator of another blog, The Situationist, which was just made live today. The other co-creator is Harvard Law School professor Jon Hanson. The Situationist is part of the Project on Law and Mind Sciences at Harvard Law School, which Jon and I are also creating, and will provide commentary by social...

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Reilly goes for a Tiki tour

Well today we loaded him up and shut the ramp and off we went. Aside from managing to get his head under the chest bar, he was brilliant. That was my fault for not tying him up tight enough (wanted to make sure he had enough length on the rope to step back into the bar without it pulling tight). We stopped on the road, put the ramp down, opened the bar, stepped him back and re-tied him up tighter, all without incident. Gee he's good!! No photos tod...

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Reilly gets scrubbed up!

Today I decided to have a practise run plaiting Reilly up. I wasn't sure how much of a fidget bum he was going to be and figured it would be useful to know in advance how long it might take to get him ready. The good news is that he was brilliant, a star in fact and I give him an A+ for effort. The bad news is that I really cannot plait and unless someone who knows what they...

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Upcoming Symposium at Ripon College: Ethics in Sports

On February 1st and 2nd, the Ethical Leadership Program at Ripon College in Wisconsin is sponsoring a symposium featuring some very interesting and provocative panelists and keynote speakers, including Bud Selig and Myles Brand. Check out the program for the eve...

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Bush and the Democrats on Iraq

I had to work last night and did not catch the State of the Union address. I don't think I missed anything all that great.The big issue is Iraq, and the stupidity is now on both sides of the partisan divide. We are losing in Iraq. Bush refuses to see this because he is:a.) Stupid.b.) Dumb.c.) Really dumb.The Democrats are only slightly smarter on this. Unlike Bush, they will acknowledge that we are losing in Iraq. Most of the Democrats insist upon a pullout because we are losing. But before we withdraw from Iraq, we must first win. The mind boggles.I...

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Foal photos (taken January the 20th)

Just a selection of photos taken a couple of days ago of the babies. Still no action from Maude *sigh*. Today it was another scorcher so Amy and I went down to the river for a lovely swim - It was SO refreshin...

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Tank Johnson Will Join the Bears in Miami

The Chicago Tribune just reported tonight that Terry "Tank" Johnson, defensive lineman for the SuperBowl bound Chicago Bears, has been cleared to travel to Miami with no restrictions. Tank had been under house arrest after police raided his home in the northern suburb of Gurnee, allegedly finding a number of handguns and assault rifles, for which Tank was not licensed (there...

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Beckham just one of many advances

Following up on my post of January 18, click here for a break-down of some of the reasons why the future is bright for the MLS. Beckham was just one of many significant developments....

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Redneck

There is a saying that goes like this. If you try to please everybody, nobody will like it. I know how true that is.I am a white boy from the South. I speak with a drawl. I like NASCAR, country music, pork rinds, and grits. This automatically means I am some kind of inbred hick racist Klan motherfucker. No matter what I do I am pigeonholed with this stereotype. I have tried most of my life to try and overcome the prejudice against me. But I have come to one inescapable conclusion. FUCK IT.I don't care how I am perceived anymore. If people want...

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Reilly's new bridle

Reilly's new bridle arrived in today's post so this evening I whipped out and tried it on for size. Bless him he just stood in the paddock whilst I faffed around adjusting it and plaiting his forelock (for effect) and then when I got the camera out he tried his hardest to fall asleep!!! It will do nicely I think. I am getting quite excited about the show now, Reilly's continuing...

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Spectators Revisited

Well, I couldn't do it. I couldn't make it through the weekend without watching football. I had to see if Manning could get the gorilla off of his back. I try not to be envious of other people, but dammit, Tom Brady's life is just a little too perfect. The fucker doesn't need another Super Bowl ring.I like watching football and cars going around in a circle. Despite my resolution from last week to not waste my life on watching these pursuits, I've decided to quit guilt tripping myself and enjoy the things. That Patriots-Colts game was damn enjoyable....

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Andre Waters and Concussion Liability for NFL Teams

Last week, the New York Times featured a troubling story about an expert's conclusion that former NFL Player Andre Waters' suicide may have been the result, at least in part, of concussions sustained during his football career. While I hate to sound like a league defender, I wish the information on which this story was based had come from different sources...The expert cited...

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Greatest Hits

I've been reading over the blog to cull my "greatest hits." A few things stand out:1. I'm very repetitive.2. I'm obsessed over cigarette taxes.3. I need to get laid.From all of the blather, I have culled a handful of posts that I think are worth reading again, and I've put them in the sidebar for your enjoyme...

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A New Dawn in F1

Formula 1 (F1) seems to have at long last found its feet in America. Not only has Indianapolis regained its place as a legendary F1 venue but Scott Speed scored a first valuable point for the Scuderia Toro Rosso - incidentally, Scott's performance may not be enough to secure him a driving seat for 2007. Meanwhile, the European Commission (Commission) has finally put an end...

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Today was foal hoof trimming day

Today Finn had his first hoof trim and Meg had her third. Both were a little fidgety with their front feet but excellent with their backs and pretty damned good all round. Took a wee pic of Meg having her off hind rasped - she is such a pos...

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NBA Activates its "Security Forces" to Prohibit Players from Frequenting Nightclubs

According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, the NBA has "ordered its security forces" to come up with a list of nightclubs that should be made off-limits to players:In the wake of the Broncos' Darrent Williams' murder in Denver, and other shootings in that city involving pro athletes, the NBA this past week ordered its security forces in all 29 cities to come up...

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Upcoming UVA Law Symposium on Sports and Entertainment Law

On Friday, February 2, the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal and Virgina Continuing Legal Education will be hosting the first ever Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Symposium. I am excited to be a part of it, as it will feature an engaging mix of practical and theoretical topics, as well as a dynamic array of speakers. The symposium will be held at the University...

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I went Welsh Pony showing!

A few weeks ago I offered to help a friend show her mare and foal at a local Welsh show. Today was the day. What fun we had!!!! Above are a selection of photos that Nick took. The Mare (Korroway Silk and Silver) won Reserve Champ for her section and her foal, Woodrow Tempest, won her class. Welsh ponies are just too damned cute! I think next year I might just have to take...

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The babies are growing up

On Friday Nick and I went with our neighbour Jan to see Holden under saddle at the breaker's farm. It was really exciting for me as although I have seen video and photos of Hamish progeny under saddle, this was the first time I had seem one 'live'. Boy was I in for a treat!I had been told that there was another gelding there also by Hamish and had worked out that it was Morocco/Rocky....

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Gary Roberts named Dean of Indiana University School of Law

Congratulations to Gary Roberts, Deputy Dean of Tulane Law School and Director of the Tulane Sports Law Program, on being named Dean of Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. Gary, who co-authors a leading sports law case book with Harvard Law School professor Paul Weiler, has extensive experience in sports law, including serving as President of the Sports Lawyers...

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Reilly's exciting float loading adventure pt III (video)

Unfortunately the batteries went flat so this is not as good as I would have liked but he is being pretty good. No backing off footage, thanks to batteries!...

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Sports Over Law: Motion to Delay Trial to Accommodate Saints Fans

If you are a lawyer and a sports fan, you can certainly understand the following motion by defense counsel in Fay Thibodeaux Danos et al., v. Avondale Industries, Inc. et al., a case before a civil district court in Louisiana:[The defendants] move to continue trial of this matter, which is currently scheduled to begin on January 22, 2007, by two days. Thus Defendants request...

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Living the Dream

I know the whole Beckham affair is "old news" by now. But what better topic is there for an European to write on an American Sports Law blog than the David Beckham $250M move from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy? I think the issue is interesting for a number of reasons.First and foremost, after the likes of Pelé, Beckenbauer and our very own Eusébio were lured to the...

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Sports Judge for your Fantasy Sports Disputes

Anyone who plays fantasy sports knows that "disputes" can sometimes emerge within leagues. You probably what I'm talking about. How about a dubious late-season trade that is so lopsided that it must entail some "off-field" payment, but your commissioner, for whatever reason, won't intercede? Or how about some strange scoring formulas? Or some sketchy roster modifications?...

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