The Bottom Line Universal Pictures’ move to bypass theatrical distribution with Trolls World Tour has the potential to fundamentally shift the film distribution model.As Universal and other studios look to compress or eliminate the exclusive theatrical distribution window, parties Continue Reading
What’s Next for Online Sports Betting in New York?
The Bottom Line The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division’s decision places one of the most lucrative betting markets temporarily out of reach of DFS operators. The decision, if upheld by the New York Court of Appeals, will also cast doubt on the New York Legislature’s efforts to authorize Continue Reading
COVID-19 Impact on TV and Film Production
The Bottom Line TV and film producers need to be aware of the unexpected ways that the coronavirus crisis is impacting numerous aspects of their business, from “force majeure” and cancellations, to union and talent issues, and content order agreements. The rapid spread of the coronavirus Continue Reading
Commercial Production Changes in Light of COVID-19
The Bottom Line As we continue to move forward, and hopefully see a light at the end of the tunnel, we may come full circle to a situation where a “standard” contractual approach to events beyond a party’s control, where a pandemic-related circumstance may or may not qualify, is the default and the Continue Reading
Wait, There’s a Catch — Rule 40 Personal Sponsor Commitment Issued Ahead of 2020 Tokyo Olympics
The Bottom Line The Personal Sponsor Commitment, part of the revised Rule 40 Guidelines, creates a contractual relationship between athlete personal sponsors and the USOPC, which poses challenges and risks for sponsors. Marketers seeking to leverage Olympic athletes during the 2020 Tokyo Games Continue Reading
Revised Rule 40 Advertising Guidelines Offer New Opportunities for Sponsors and Athletes Just in Time for 2020 Tokyo Olympics
The Bottom Line The changes to the Rule 40 Guidelines offer significant new opportunities to athletes and their personal sponsors. Yet, marketers seeking to leverage Olympic athletes during the 2020 Tokyo Games will need to agree to broad anti-guerilla marketing prohibitions. For those prepared Continue Reading
California Clears the Way for College Athletes to Get Their “Fair” Share of Licensing Pie
The Bottom Line The Fair Pay to Play Act is the latest effort in an ongoing battle to reform collegiate athletics. It threatens to upend the NCAA’s efforts to preserve the ideals of amateurism by allowing student athletes to profit from their own name, image and likeness rights. Many argue that Continue Reading
FTC Workshop Takes Aim at Online Ticket Sales Market
The Bottom Line The FTC Workshop highlighted the issues facing consumers attempting to purchase event tickets online, where conflicting viewpoints emerged between preventing seller abuse and protecting buyers’ freedom to dispose of their tickets as they choose.Given the cutthroat competition in Continue Reading
American Gaming Association Hedges Its Bets with Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering
The Bottom Line The AGA Code represents a tentative first step by the AGA to impose a self-regulatory framework on an exploding sports betting industry. Whether it will be sufficient to ward off government oversight remains to be seen, but some key concerns remain:Age protections are looser than Continue Reading
The Odds Are Getting Better for Sports Betting and Fantasy Sports in New York
The Bottom Line As New York lurches toward the legalization of sports betting and interactive fantasy sports, true national sports betting and fantasy sports gaming is still a long way from becoming a reality. Businesses in the sports gaming industry, including sports books, media companies, Continue Reading