The California Sports Lawyer Podcast with Jeremy Evans

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369

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Oct 2026

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About the show

The California Sports Lawyer Podcast with Jeremy Evans examines the legal and business issues shaping entertainment, media, sports, intellectual property, and technology. Each episode brings a practical dealmaker’s perspective to the news, trends, and decisions influencing these industries. Through focused commentary and conversations with industry leaders, attorney Jeremy M. Evans explains what is happening, why it matters, and what may come next. Topics include media rights, athlete compensation, name, image, and likeness rights, artificial intelligence, ownership, contracts, and live entertainment.

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November 2, 202631 min

Can Baseball Make Deals With a Lockout Looming?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans discusses whether Major League Baseball can make deals with a possible lockout looming. The current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, 2026, but players and clubs must make decisions about contract options, free agency, and the coming season now. Jeremy explains what happens during a lockout, what it means for existing contracts, and how baseball’s previous work stoppages compare with those in other professional leagues. The episode examines the central disagreement over a proposed salary cap and floor, along with revenue sharing, player compensation, and the different ways owners and players believe baseball can become more competitive. The discussion also considers the people beyond the negotiating table. Broadcasters, sponsors, stadium workers, nearby businesses, and fans all plan around baseball’s calendar. A deadline can help bring the parties together, but uncertainty can also change the deals they make before a stoppage begins. The cost of waiting may be measured in more than contract dollars. Season 8, Episode 43. Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. www.CSLlegal.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 26, 202628 min

Why Congress Should End the Jock Tax

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans discusses why Congress should end the jock tax and establish fairer rules for athletes and entertainers working across state lines. A brief work visit can create another tax obligation, filing requirement, and professional expense. The question is whether athletes and entertainers should be excluded from protections proposed for other traveling workers. Jeremy discusses California’s duty-day calculations and Cam Newton’s estimated tax associated with Super Bowl 50, which exceeded his bonus for appearing in the championship. The episode explains how annual compensation is allocated to a state and why credits for taxes paid elsewhere can reduce overlapping taxation without eliminating compliance costs. Additional topics include court decisions limiting Cleveland’s income allocation and Pittsburgh’s discriminatory nonresident facility tax, along with the distinction between a tax surviving a constitutional challenge and representing sound policy. The discussion also considers the proposed Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act of 2025, its general threshold of more than 30 workdays for nonresident taxation, and its express exclusions for professional athletes and entertainers. States have legitimate interests in collecting revenue, but tax policy should also account for fairness, compliance costs, and decisions about where to work and live. Congress should establish consistent protections for brief work visits that include athletes and entertainers, who would continue paying federal income taxes and applicable taxes in their state of residence. Season 8, Episode 42. Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. www.CSLlegal.com . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 19, 202621 min

Athlete Health Data Can Create Contract Leverage and Raise Risk

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines how athlete health data can create contract leverage and raise risk. Following his appearance on a sports AI panel during LA Tech Week at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Jeremy discusses how information collected to improve training and recovery can also affect contract negotiations, trades, and commercial opportunities. The questions extend beyond who owns the information to who can collect, access, and use it. The episode explores privacy laws, collective bargaining protections, and the difference between medical evaluations and AI-generated injury predictions. Jeremy discusses the NBA’s restrictions on using specified wearable data in contract negotiations, unauthorized access to medical records, and how concerns about Isaiah Thomas’s hip changed the terms of the Boston–Cleveland trade. Additional topics include how professional leagues, individual sports, and college athletics manage athlete information, along with the risks of confidential health information reaching sports bettors. The discussion also considers licensing, compensation, exclusivity, security, and how long data may be retained or used after an athlete changes teams, transfers, or retires. Playing agreements, medical authorizations, sponsorship and NIL contracts, and technology licenses may involve the same information while granting different rights. Athlete health data can support performance and create business opportunities, but inaccurate information or unauthorized use can harm an athlete’s career. The rights to collect, use, and share that information should be clearly negotiated in the deal. (Season 8, Episode 41). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 12, 202624 min

Who Profits From a 24-Team College Football Playoff?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines who could profit from expanding the College Football Playoff from 12 to 24 teams. NIL deals, revenue sharing, and player movement are changing college athletics and giving programs more ways to build competitive rosters. A larger playoff could create more opportunities to compete for a championship, along with additional revenue and compelling matchups. Jeremy discusses ongoing media rights negotiations, the possibility of reducing the regular season to 11 games while retaining conference championships, and a proposed limit of one FCS opponent per FBS team. The episode considers how additional playoff revenue would be weighed against lost regular season revenue, athlete workload, travel, and guarantee payments to FCS programs. The discussion also explores private capital and institutional control, drawing on the Jeanie Buss–Lakers arrangement and Utah’s private equity deal. The episode examines television and streaming distribution, including the Emmys’ move to Prime Video and DAZN’s local sports partnerships alongside traditional television. Exclusivity can bring more money, but pricing and access affect how many fans can watch. A 24-team playoff could be good for college football if it improves competition, preserves school control, makes financial sense, and remains easy to watch. The division of revenue among conferences, schools, and athletes matters as much as the size of the bracket. (Season 8, Episode 40). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

October 5, 202628 min

Was California’s Paramount Challenge Worth the Delay?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines whether California’s challenge to the Paramount Skydance–Warner Bros. Discovery merger was worth the delay. A federal court temporarily halted the deal before approving a settlement with twelve states. The question is whether the challenge helped Hollywood or held back two legacy companies seeking the scale to compete. Jeremy compares the merger with Disney’s acquisition of Fox, including the difference between a deal’s price and the revenue of the combined company. He discusses the regional sports networks Disney was required to sell, the size of Disney today, and the competition Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery face from larger media and streaming companies. California has already lost production spending to other locations. Jeremy considers what the settlement secured for workers and domestic film production, and whether the state could have obtained those commitments without a prolonged delay. The episode examines what California must do to keep entertainment jobs and business in the state. (Season 8, Episode 39). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 28, 202618 min

If AI Could End the World, Why Are We Still Racing to Build It?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why companies continue developing more capable artificial intelligence systems even as warnings about catastrophic risks grow louder. AI is already part of daily life, and its use is increasing. The challenge is to evaluate warnings against evidence while considering the opportunities that innovation can create. Jeremy discusses the difference between a warning and a credible risk, including what happens when incorrect AI results go unchecked. The episode explores business incentives, global competition, human oversight, and the concern that relying too heavily on AI could weaken creativity and the value of work. AI can be a thought partner, but humans must remain the thought leaders. The discussion also considers independent oversight, testing and disclosure, intellectual property accountability, and when deployment should pause. AI can make work more efficient and create jobs and opportunities, but its future depends on sound policy, responsible practices, and human control. (Season 8, Episode 38). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 21, 202620 min

Free Television May Win the Streaming Wars

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why free television may win the streaming wars. Streaming originally promised lower prices, fewer advertisements, greater consumer control, and easier access to entertainment. Multiple subscriptions, increasing prices, advertising tiers, and fragmented content have gradually recreated many of the disadvantages associated with cable television. Jeremy discusses how free ad-supported streaming television provides scheduled channels and on-demand programming without requiring another monthly subscription. The episode explores services including Samsung TV Plus, Pluto TV, Tubi, and The Roku Channel, along with the addition of Front Office Sports Tonight to Samsung TV Plus. Additional topics include subscription fatigue, the cost of streaming compared with cable, the separate cost and broader uses of internet service, sports programming, content discovery, advertising revenue, audience data, and privacy. As entertainment, media, sports, advertising, technology, and law continue converging, the future of television will likely involve a hybrid model combining paid subscriptions, transactional purchases, traditional broadcasting, and free ad-supported platforms. Success will depend on legal and business frameworks addressing content licensing, advertising inventory, audience measurement, data collection, privacy, exclusivity, territorial restrictions, intellectual property, and distribution rights. The streaming wars may ultimately be won by the platforms that give audiences the easiest access and most compelling reasons to watch. (Season 8, Episode 37). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 15, 202619 min

When the Audience Finances the Film

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines what happens when audiences become investors in films and entertainment companies. Through investment models offered by companies such as Legion M, fans may purchase company stock, participate in a film fund, or invest directly in individual projects when those opportunities are available. These investments can deepen the relationship between audiences and entertainment while creating financial opportunities, securities law obligations, and the risk of loss. Jeremy discusses how fan investment differs from traditional film financing and donation based or reward based crowdfunding. The episode also explores Legion M’s involvement in the theatrical release of Coyote vs. Acme , the use of audience capital to support the distribution of completed films, and the importance of disclosures, audit rights, recoupment provisions, revenue definitions, and payment waterfalls. Additional topics include creative control, fan ambassadors, access to financing, and how creators may reach audiences before securing representation while still benefiting from representation once opportunities emerge. As entertainment, finance, technology, intellectual property, and law continue converging, fan investment may complement traditional financing and create new paths for filmmakers and audiences. Responsible growth will require compliance with securities laws, clear explanations of investment risks, transparent offering terms, and realistic expectations about financial returns and creative authority. Fan financing can lower the barrier to entry for creating entertainment while allowing experienced representatives, producers, distributors, and other professionals to add value as projects develop. (Season 8, Episode 36). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 9, 202625 min

Are Prediction Markets and Betting Platforms Good Partners with Sports Leagues?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines whether prediction markets and sports betting platforms are good partners with sports leagues. As leagues enter sponsorship, licensing, official data, and integrity agreements with wagering businesses, the financial opportunities are apparent. These relationships also raise moral, legal, and governance questions involving competitive integrity, parity, consumer protection, participant conduct, and public trust. Jeremy discusses how prediction markets differ from traditional sportsbooks and why markets regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission remain subject to challenges from state gaming regulators. The episode also explores Major League Baseball’s partnership with Polymarket, the U.S. Open’s partnership with Kalshi, and the tension created when sports organizations profit from wagering while disciplining players and other participants for betting. Additional topics include proposition bets, the misuse of nonpublic information, promotional credits, gambling addiction, personal responsibility, and Pete Rose’s eligibility for consideration by the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As sports, wagering, finance, technology, and law continue converging, responsible growth will require clear restrictions, information sharing, monitoring, education, and meaningful enforcement. Success will depend on legal and business frameworks addressing official data, intellectual property, market types, participant conduct, consumer safeguards, and the respective authority of federal and state regulators. Prediction markets and betting platforms can be good partners only when the commercial relationship serves the sport without compromising the integrity of the competition.(Season 8, Episode 35). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. ( www.CSLlegal.com ) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 31, 202621 min

Should the Government or Parents Decide How Children Use Social Media?

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines whether government or parents should decide how children use social media. A court-approved settlement between Meta and a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general establishes new protections for users under 18, including default time limits, overnight restrictions, school-hour notification controls, age-assurance measures, and expanded parental tools. Jeremy discusses how the settlement balances platform accountability and child protection against parental authority and family autonomy. The episode also explores the use of litigation and consent judgments to establish rules affecting millions of families, the influence of default settings, privacy concerns surrounding age-assurance technology, and whether government-backed protections may become permanent controls in practice. As social media, technology, privacy, public policy, and law continue converging, protecting children will require responsible product design, truthful disclosures, meaningful parental tools, and accountability for unlawful conduct. Success will also depend on legal frameworks addressing data collection, age assurance, parental consent, platform features, transparency, and clear limits on government authority while preserving parents as the principal decision-makers in their children’s lives. (Season 8, Episode 34). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. ( www.CSLlegal.com ) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.