Here in Detroit, our fervor for the return of hockey season radiates brighter than ever, courtesy of the nauseating hangover the Tigers have left us with and the infinite number of ways the Lions manage to lose. Detroit is more than just any hockey town - it is "Hockeytown"! Those of us twenty-somethings who grew up in Michigan during the era where Detroit emerged and began its reign as "Hockeytown" were wonderfully privileged children. I think it is appropriate to learn about how we earned the right to call our city Hockeytown. So, I will dish out what "Hockeytown" is in the legal world of sports.
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The straight up answer: Technically, no, but hold up (x10) like Kanye says to do.
Next time you watch or listen to any television or radio football broadcast, count how many advertisements you see or hear from daily fantasy sports (DFS) companies like DraftKings or FanDuel. Think about how many people choose to participate in those games each day. Do you think they question the legality of those games, nationwide or specifically in your state of residence? I doubt it. Do you think the DraftKings and FanDuels of the world would subject themselves to business in a state where DFS is illegal? That is easily debatable, but hey, I'm here to highlight what the average person may not observe.
Being picky with semantics when drafting a legislative bill is warranted, and Michigan's law regarding fantasy sports is a prime example of why. One legislator is trying to modify it because apparently the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) has a thought-provoking stance on the issue. The MGCB executive director considers playing DFS to be "illegal under current Michigan law." Sen. Curtis Hertel is looking to modify current Michigan law to protect citizens' right to play.
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I have a fantasy football draft on Wednesday night. Anyone who knows me knows that I believe Tom Brady is a god on and off the field and that I would jump at the chance to select him. Does Deflategate's legal proceedings in front of Judge Richard M. Berman affect my strategy for drafting him to lead my fantasy team to victory? Not really. There is a good chance (in legal terms, you could say "more probable than not") that he will play in the NFL regular season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week through one scenario or another thanks to legal strategy. The legally available routes are discussed in further detail here for those who are interested. For those who want the blunt story, here it is.
Note: "Arbitration Award" refers to Goodell's decision as arbitrator to uphold Brady's four game suspension.
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If - heaven forbid - you desire to purchase an Ohio State University football jersey this season, your options will be limited. Very limited. By "limited," I honestly mean you will only be able to buy either #1 or #15. OSU told Nike to only produce jerseys with these two numbers, and retailers can only sell jerseys with these two numbers.
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"Cheerleaders" of professional sports teams in California - and maybe soon enough in other states - have something to cheer about. As a respectable move by California governor Jerry Brown on July 15, the new law in the state affords these cheerleaders basic employee rights such as minimum wage, overtime pay, sick leave, and the other employment protections that the rest of the team staff has available. Gonzalez introduced this bill in January after Caitlin Yates of the Oakland Raiderettes claimed, essentially, wage-theft. Among her allegations were failing to pay cheerleaders minimum wage (being paid the equivalent of $5 per hour) as well as failing to compensate for travel costs, public appearances, and rehersals.
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