Michael McCann

Concord

Legal Analyst and Senior Sports Legal Reporter at Sportico

Legal Expert @Sportico. Associate Dean, Professor of Law and SELI Director @UNHLaw. Visiting Professor of Law @Harvard_Law. @Ed_Obannon Author. Attorney.

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Articles

Colleges Preparing $20M Budgets for Post-House Title IX Legal Defense

2 weeks ago | sportico.com | Daniel Libit |Michael McCann

Well before Judge Claudia Wilken’s granted approval last Friday of an antitrust settlement between athletes, the NCAA and power conferences, universities were already girding for the next legal war—one that threatens to hit much closer to home. With the revenue-sharing era now officially underway, Title IX defense attorneys say colleges are preparing for a potential wave of gender-equity lawsuits from athletes, especially challenges over how that revenue is distributed.
Historic NCAA House Settlement Approved as More Legal Issues Await

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken on Friday night granted final approval to the settlement between the NCAA, power conferences and current and former D-I athletes represented by the House, Carter and Hubbard antitrust litigations. The approval green-lights a new and more professionalized era in college sports starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
NASCAR Wins Court Ruling Against 23XI and Front Row Over Injunction

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

In a significant legal win for NASCAR, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Thursday vacated a preliminary injunction issued last December by a trial court judge that allowed 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports to race with the benefits of charters without having to release claims. Judge Paul V.
NASCAR Blocks Michael Jordan Team in Appellate Court

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Michael McCann

In a significant legal win for NASCAR, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on Thursday vacated a preliminary injunction issued last December by a trial court judge that allowed 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports to race with the benefits of charters without having to release claims. Judge Paul V.
Jack Nicklaus Defamation Case Over LIV Golf Overtures, NIL Continues

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

A Florida appellate court on Wednesday held that Jack Nicklaus’ defamation lawsuit against businessman Howard Milstein and Nicklaus Companies LLC for comments related to Nicklaus and LIV Golf is not barred by a contractual forum selection clause. Nicklaus and Milstein have battled each other in New York and Florida courts over the aftermath of a multi-document, $145 million transaction in 2007.
Trump Department of Justice Seeks to Influence Zeigler v. NCAA Case

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

In a statement of interest filed Tuesday in a Tennessee federal district court, the U.S. Department of Justice urges a judge to apply antitrust law’s rule of reason analysis to the NCAA’s four-seasons rule. Tennessee basketball player and college graduate Zakai Zeigler is challenging that rule in a lawsuit. The DOJ’s statement does not recommend that the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer, side with Zeigler or the NCAA.
Trump DOJ Weighs in on Zeigler Case Against NCAA Four-Season Rule

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Michael McCann

In a statement of interest filed Tuesday in a Tennessee federal district court, the U.S. Department of Justice urges a judge to apply antitrust law’s rule of reason analysis to the NCAA’s four-seasons rule. Tennessee basketball player and college graduate Zakai Zeigler is challenging that rule in a lawsuit. The DOJ’s statement does not recommend that the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer, side with Zeigler or the NCAA.
NCAA Fights Zakai Zeigler's Antitrust Suit, Defends Four-Seasons Rule

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

The NCAA on Monday motioned a federal judge to deny Zakai Zeigler’s motion for an injunction in his antitrust lawsuit to keep playing playing Division I basketball as a college graduate who already played four D-1 seasons. The NCAA’s motion sends a warning that Zeigler’s lawsuit could open the door to numerous players staying on teams for years after they graduate—and taking spots away from incoming freshmen. Zeigler, 22, graduated from the University of Tennessee last month.
NCAA Fights Tennessee Hooper’s Request to Play a Fifth Season

3 weeks ago | sports.yahoo.com | Michael McCann

The NCAA on Monday motioned a federal judge to deny Zakai Zeigler’s motion for an injunction in his antitrust lawsuit to keep playing playing Division I basketball as a college graduate who already played four D-1 seasons. The NCAA’s motion sends a warning that Zeigler’s lawsuit could open the door to numerous players staying on teams for years after they graduate—and taking spots away from incoming freshmen. Zeigler, 22, graduated from the University of Tennessee last month.
SEC Secession From NCAA Would Bring Opportunity, but Risk Too

3 weeks ago | sportico.com | Michael McCann

Last week, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey raised eyebrows by saying he’s been asked, “Why are we still in the NCAA?” The comment was made during SEC spring meetings and in the context of Sankey referencing high-level conference discussions. The four power conferences—the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC—seek to obtain 68% voting power in D-I governance matters. Their ongoing relationship with the NCAA, and the degree of discretion they enjoy, are at stake.