SI.com: Michael McCann

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11/02/11--13:00: Michael McCann: Dodgers deal is a victory for Selig, and a warning for other teams (chan 1592088)

After insisting for months that he would fight commissioner Bud Selig in bankruptcy court to keep the Dodgers, Frank McCourt has relented and agreed to a settlement that ends the litigation and calls for a court-supervised process to sell the team and its media rights.


11/03/11--23:00: Michael McCann: Decertification would put 2011-12 season in serious jeopardy (chan 1592088)

Frustrated by an inability to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement with owners, some NBA players have sought the advice of an antitrust attorney on the possibility of decertifying the National Basketball Players' Association. Such a maneuver would likely be followed by the filing of a class action antitrust lawsuit against the league and it would make the cancellation of the 2011-12 NBA more probable.


11/09/11--22:29: Michael McCann: Did Joe Paterno break the law? (chan 1592088)

While Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly says that her office won't file charges against Joe Paterno for not reporting the alleged child sexual abuse by former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, the 84-year-old coach could eventually face criminal charges for perjury, obstruction of justice and violating the state's Child Protective Services Law. Paterno could also become a defendant in civil lawsuits filed by Sandusky's alleged victims. Those lawsuits could allege that Paterno negligently failed to prevent a third party with whom he had a supervisory relationship (Sandusky) from committing abuse.


11/11/11--14:16: Michael McCann: Sandusky grand jury presentment doesn't tell the whole story (chan 1592088)

The public reaction to the Penn State scandal deservedly shows outrage for the heinous nature of the crimes allegedly committed by Jerry Sandusky and the shockingly ineffectual, perplexing and contradictory responses alleged of Joe Paterno and Mike McQueary, among others, in connection to the case. As I discussed on Wednesday, Paterno and McQueary both face the possibility of criminal charges and civil liability if they covered up criminal activity or knowingly lied to the grand jury. Former Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and former senior vice president of business and finance Gary Schultz have already been charged with crimes, and Penn State as an institution is highly vulnerable to civil lawsuits brought by Sandusky's alleged victims.


11/18/11--16:38: Michael McCann: Examining legal fallout from Sandusky interview, Penn St. scandal (chan 1592088)

Jerry Sandusky's interview Monday night with Bob Costas on NBC's Rock Center raises more questions as to what legal issues may emerge as this story unfolds. SI.com legal expert Michael McCann answers five key questions.


11/26/11--13:10: Michael McCann: NBA players, owners may still run into problems with tentative deal (chan 1592088)

The NBA and representatives for its players agreed to the framework of a collective bargaining agreement that, if ratified, will salvage a 66-game season and guarantee labor peace for at least six years. The two sides have come to agreement on the major issues that gave rise to the lockout. Most notably, they have agreed to divide the league's basketball-related income evenly, with each side subject to gaining or losing up to one percent depending on the league's economic success. They have also agreed on a harder salary cap, among a bevy of other rules that will slow the growth of NBA players' salaries and ensure that owners' labor costs are reduced. If all goes as planned, the free agency period will begin on Dec. 9, the regular season will begin on Christmas Day and the players' and owners' agreement will last 10 years, with each side able to opt-out after six.


12/14/11--12:16: Michael McCann: Lawyer uses bizarre tactics in defense of Jerry Sandusky (chan 1592088)

Jerry Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, has a difficult case ahead of him. Sandusky has been indicted on 40 counts of sex crimes against boys and the number of accusers appears to be on the rise. It is thus understandable that Amendola would adopt an aggressive, even risky, strategy to rebut the accusations. Less understandable is Amendola's choice, presumably with Sandusky's consent, to begin the battle in the media instead of in the courtroom.


12/16/11--12:48: Michael McCann: Sam Hurd arrest on drug charges could present troubling questions for NFL (chan 1592088)

Sam Hurd's felony charges for intent to distribute cocaine clearly threaten the 26-year-old Chicago Bear's future. Less obviously, they may seriously impact other players, teams and the league itself. According to CBS Chicago, Hurd sold drugs to a "double-digit" number of NFL players. Law enforcement officials are reportedly in possession of those players' names. This developing story could emerge as a major scandal for the NFL and trigger reassessment of how the league prevents substances of abuse from infiltrating the game.


12/16/11--19:51: Michael McCann: Why Bonds was sentenced to house arrest and not prison (chan 1592088)

Nearly nine years, thousands of attorneys' hours and reportedly more than $50 million of taxpayer money later, Barry Bonds has finally received his punishment for distorting the truth (he was found guilty of one count of obstruction of justice).


12/22/11--10:08: Michael McCann: Mayweather Jr. avoids felony trial but not jail (chan 1592088)

Originally facing a maximum sentence of 34 years in prison on felony charges related to beating up his ex-girlfriend in front of their children -- who he reportedly threatened to beat up, too, if they called the police -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. was sentenced this afternoon by Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa to 90 days in jail.