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Sports & Entertainment Spotlight: 3.2.23

Welcome back to the Spotlight, and with it (in like a lion…) the college basketball-dominated month of March.  And wow, in case it was not on your radar, madam, allow me to fulfill my civic duty to level with you and refer you to the fact that today’s date (3/2/23) is a palindrome—a mirror-image sequence that reads the same backwards and forwards. Bonus points if you caught all of them in that sentence. With that backdrop, as good a place as any at which to start is with two young women of college basketball who are mirror images of one another: The Cavinder Twins. Haley and Hanna (almost a palindrome) Cavinder are two of the most recognized names in the NIL era, leveraging their star power and social media following to command multiple six figure endorsement deals at Fresno State University and more recently at the University of Miami. So, that is perhaps why late last week the NCAA made its very first NIL era enforcement action with regard to conduct surrounding the Cavinders and the apparent inducements given to them to become Miami Hurricanes.  In doing so, the NCAA appears to this writer and to many other observers to be taking a shot across the bow to universities and their boosters (i.e., affiliated alumni who support the school’s athletic programs) alike, notwithstanding the relatively light penalties (a three game suspension for the Cavinders’ coach, a fine and a limited restriction on recruitment activities), but it stopped short of dissociating the billionaire booster from the University. However, as much as the move seemed calculated to send a message to take another look in the mirror before acting, it also seemed to signal self-restraint out of fear of being embroiled in a politically and financially costly antitrust litigation. Speaking of politics, the NCAA’s best chance of again wielding decisive enforcement power lies with comprehensive federal legislation from the house of mirrors that is the US Congress. So the question remains: unless/until that happens, is the NCAA’s use of the Cavinders’ recruitment a high profile bluff or a prelude to its dropping the hammer on the next booster looking to lure an athlete with a spotlight?

    • Music copyrights still appear to be an attractive investment for private equity markets, as Lyric Capital closes a fund with $800 million in commitments. Meaning, it’s still not too late for me to begin writing music. On the other hand, singing is out of the question. 
    • Undoubtedly fueled by the success of the Netflix docuseries, Formula 1, Formula One racing enjoyed record fan attendance last year. Fan engagement that brings people from their living room to the stands seems to be a formula won. 
    • Adidas renewed its partnership with Major League Soccer to outfit its players for the 2023 Season, narrowly averting the prospect of barefooted, shirts and skins soccer matches. 

Endorsement Sponsorship and Investments

BTS Luxury Brand Endorsements: J-Hope Is New Louis Vuitton Ambassador

March 1, 2023 via International Business Times - Top Stories

UNI Athletics launches new NIL marketplace for student-athletes

March 1, 2023 via UNI Athletics

Major League Soccer Extends Partnership With Adidas Heading Into The 2023 Season

February 28, 2023 via Benzinga.com

NCAA Issues First NIL Ruling, With Cavinder Twins at the Center of It

February 24, 2023 via SI

Sport

F1 revenue boosted to $2.5 billion in 2022 amid record fan attendance

March 1, 2023 via Autosport

Warrants out for arrest of draft prospect Carter

March 1, 2023 via ESPN - News

Medical Analysis: Breaking down LeBron James’ right foot injury

March 1, 2023 via Silver Screen and Roll

Ex-groundskeeper explains why Super Bowl field was awful

March 1, 2023 via RSN

Music Biz

Lyric Capital Group Closes Second Music Royalty Fund with Approximately $800 Million in Total Commitments

February 28, 2023 via Yahoo Finance - Top Stories

Winamp Transforming the Music Industry Once Again

February 28, 2023 via Business Wire - Top Stories

Germany’s recorded music business generated $2.17bn in 2022, up 6.1% YoY

February 28, 2023 via Music Business Worldwide

Demand for Yeezy shoes has rocketed since Kanye's antisemitic rants

February 27, 2023 via Fortune Magazine - Headlines

Film & TV

Tumbling RSN industry has teams looking for a new model for local sports rights

March 1, 2023 via Biz Journal - Agriculture News

AAFCA Celebrates 20 Years of Amplifying Black Voices in Film and TV

March 1, 2023 via Variety

British Film Director Ken Loach Says UK’s Film And TV Unions At Risk Of Failing Industry Workers

March 1, 2023 via mxdwn

After securing $100m to buy film and TV music rights, Cutting Edge forms strategic venture with Village Roadshow Entertainment

February 27, 2023 via Music Business Worldwide

Emerging Sports

A look at trends for women in college sports

March 1, 2023 via NCAA.org

Women’s Triathlon to Become the 36th Varsity Sport at the Naval Academy

March 1, 2023 via Navy Sports

Brentsville's May Culyer paves the way in becoming county's first official girls state wrestling champ

February 28, 2023 via Manassas Journal Messenger News

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The Sports, Arts & Entertainment group at Foster Garvey provides full service legal representation on sports, entertainment and business matters, including handling transactions related to brand management, licensing, joint ventures, venture capital, private equity, technology, the Internet and new media.
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