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Friday Sports Links - March 9, 2012

The top story in sports law and business this week is easily the news that former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams administered a bounty system during his three years in New Orleans, and possibly other stops in his career. The implications of the bounty system are vast. It has the potential to impact concussion litigation, lead to lawsuits from injured players, and could result in an unprecedented punishment from Commissioner Goodell. Outside of "Bounty-gate," the talk concerning NCAA reform continues, and the internet gains ground in becoming a more common distributor of live sports broadcasts.

"Bounty-Gate"

Michael McCann breaks down the potential legal fallout of Saints' bounty system.

How does the bounty system affect the concussion lawsuits? http://reut.rs/weD9E8 (helps get you into court and out of arbitration)

Who is liable for any injuries traced to the bounty system? http://nyti.ms/xMgSJi

Gregg Williams and Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma

The NCAA: Violations & Reform

The NY Time's Joe Nocera continues his assault on the NCAA. Could a union help the student-athletes? http://nyti.ms/yGENov

In order to form a union, the student-athletes would of course have to be employees. Are they? http://bit.ly/wkDP74

The cost of scheduling 'guarantee games' for schools in the Big Ten and Big 12 is on the rise. Ohio State paid an average of $95,666 for six games. http://usat.ly/zpkFEP
Kentucky's John Calipari has some harsh words for the NCAA. http://bit.ly/wgwbri

Sources: Syracuse's basketball program repeatedly violated its internal drug policy http://bit.ly/ydt2PP

Suspended Auburn University point guard Varez Ward is under investigation by federal authorities in an ongoing point-shaving probe. http://bit.ly/wOKd9G

The Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (an alliance of faculty senates from NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools) wants to explore the possibility of an antitrust exemption for the NCAA in order to better regulate spending on coaches' salaries and other costs. http://bit.ly/wMYKo4

More than two-thirds of college presidents surveyed believe recent sports scandals have compromised the reputation of higher education as a whole, and just 13 percent think the presidents of big-time sports schools have control of their programs, a new survey finds. http://yhoo.it/yuhCpo

NCAA President, Mark Emmert

Andy Staples & the NCAA

Change may be on the horizon for NCAA football postseason. http://bit.ly/xnilVU

Tulane University President Scott Cowen shares his thoughts on postseason reform. http://bit.ly/zHaGkV

The full-cost-of-attendance scholarship debate could break up the FBS http://bit.ly/AfTeIq

Tulane University President Scott Cowen

Sports Broadcasting

Yahoo is making a move for the 2014 & 2016 Olympic broadcast rights in Canada. http://onforb.es/y2cm2h

Meanwhile, NBC and YouTube will team up to deliver the Olympics online this summer. http://bit.ly/xOiv23

Other Sports Law and Business News

The NBA is considering putting corporate sponsor logos on their uniforms. http://bit.ly/wWFtZ7

The ABA is hosting the "Third Annual International Legal Symposium on the World of Music, Film, Television and Sports" in Miami, FL from May 2 - 4, 2012. http://bit.ly/wZZAYV