Sports Law in 2025: Litigation, Athlete Compensation, Rights, and Emerging Legal Protections

Walter “Fritz” Metzinger, III | Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann LLC

Fritz Metzinger concentrates his practice on general business litigation, representing clients in matters such as breach of lease claims and termination disputes, while also assisting companies against claims of securities violations, fraud and contractual breach.

Fritz’s accomplishments include winning an appeal before the Louisiana Fourth Circuit and assisting a sports team in a confidentiality dispute. An avid sports fan, Fritz has dabbled in sports writing and appeared on an episode of Sports Jeopardy! He also utilizes his extensive knowledge of sports law to discuss NCAA regulations with the media.

Brandon Leopoldus | Leopoldus Law

Brandon Leopoldus is a California-based attorney and founder of Leopoldus Law, APC – a specialized law firm dedicated to serving clients in the sports industry. With a focus on providing tailored legal solutions and strategies, Mr. Leopoldus is committed to helping his clients navigate the complexities of their off-field and off-screen needs.

His extensive experience includes representing professional sports franchises, unions, Olympians, athletes, sports officials, musicians, and entertainers across various fields. From setting up and protecting loan-out corporations to offering complex solutions for high-profile individuals, Mr. Leopoldus ensures his clients have access to top-notch legal expertise.

Notable accomplishments in his career include developing the legal structure for a new hockey league, serving as Interim Counsel for an MLS team, advising the Association of Minor League Umpires during the pandemic, working with numerous U.S. Olympic Governing Bodies, assisting collegiate athletes as they transition to professional careers, and maximizing returns for collegiate athletes leveraging their name, image, and likeness rights.

As a recognized leader in sports law, Mr. Leopoldus frequently speaks at conferences, guest lectures at law schools, and participates in panels at the Sports Lawyers Association’s (SLA) Annual Conference. He is also known for his informative LinkedIn Video Series covering various sports law topics.

An award-winning member of the Sports Lawyers Association, Mr. Leopoldus is also a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association and the Sports and Entertainment Society. He shares his expertise by teaching Sports Law classes at Loyola Law School – Los Angeles.

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Leopoldus spent several years in Minor League Baseball as an umpire, with only one notable appearance on SportsCenter.

Outside of work, Mr. Leopoldus enjoys spending time with his friends and family, including his highly intelligent dog, Harvey, named after Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey.

Session I – Sports Litigation, Athlete Compensation, and Emerging Legal Challenges | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Recent NCAA litigation and athlete compensation disputes
• Sports betting laws and athlete legal risks
• Other sports antitrust updates: LIV and the European Super League

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Athlete Rights and Emerging Legal Protections | 2:10pm – 3:50pm

• Evolution of athlete rights
  • Historical context of athlete rights
    1. Early 20th century – limited rights
    2. Amateurism in collegiate sports
    3. Mid-20th century shifts
  • Key legal milestones in athlete protections
    1. Curt Flood’s challenge & free agency (1970s)
    2. Title IX (1972)
    3. Professional Players’ Unions and CBAs (1960s 1980s)
    4. NCAA v. Board of Regents (1984)
    5. Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) – athlete accommodation
    6. O’Bannon v. NCAA (2015)
  • Other milestones & notable cases
    1. Olympic sports
    2. Bosman Ruling (1995, European Court of Justice)
    3. US women’s soccer team equal pay fight
• Impact of legal decisions on professional and amateur athletes
  • Empowering professional athletes
  • Transforming amateur athletics
  • Setting precedents
  • Continuing challenges
• Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws
  • NIL and its development
    1. What is NIL?
    2. NCAA’s traditional ban
    3. Mounting pressure for change
    4. The Floodgates Open – 2019 to 2021
    5. California’s “Fair Pay to Play Act” (2019)
    6. Other states follow (2020-2021)
    7. NCAA v. Alston (2021)
    8. NCAA policy change (July 1, 2021)
    9. Current NIL landscape
  • Key case law and legislative updates in NIL
    1. O’Bannon v. NCAA (2015)
    2. NCAA v. Alston (2021)
• State NIL laws
  • California’s SB 206 (Fair Pay to Play Act) – first of its kind
  • Newer state tweaks (2022-2023)
  • Legislative proposals (federal)
  • Related litigation/enforcement

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

• Real-world examples to engage
  • The quandary of the star quarterback vs. the backup punter
  • Not just stars
  • Business side
• Impact of NIL laws on athletes, schools, and businesses
  • Impact on athletes
  • Impact on schools/colleges
  • Impact on businesses and sponsors
  • Challenges and ongoing developments
• Athlete advocacy and labor rights
  • Unionization efforts in professional and collegiate sports
    1. Professional sports unionization – a brief history
    2. Current role of pro unions
    3. Collegiate unionization attempt – northwestern (2014)
    4. Post-northwestern landscape
  • Legal battles over employment classification of athletes
    1. The central question – “student-athlete” vs employee
    2. NLRB and the new approach (2021–2023)
    3. FLSA cases – are athlete’s employees under wage laws?
    4. Impact of reclassifying athletes as employees
    5. Professional athlete classification issues
  • Role of advocacy groups in shaping athlete protections
    1. Players associations as advocates
    2. College athlete advocacy organizations
    3. Athlete-driven movements
    4. Influence on legislation and policy
    5. Collaboration with legal professionals
• Conclusion