In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, examines the growing professionalization of youth sports and the increasing financial, time, and emotional investments being made by families in youth athletics. As travel teams, private coaching, year-round competition, specialized training, and expanded opportunities continue reshaping the youth sports landscape, families are facing new questions about participation, expectations, and long-term value.

Jeremy discusses the evolution of youth sports from primarily community-based activities into a highly competitive and increasingly commercialized environment. The episode explores the factors driving rising costs, including expanded programming, greater competition, and the growing visibility of athletic pathways at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.

The discussion also addresses the balance between parental involvement and independence, the realities of athletic development, and the importance of approaching youth sports with intention. As youth athletics continue evolving, families, coaches, and sports organizations may need to consider how opportunity, accessibility, and the original purpose of sports can coexist in an increasingly competitive environment.

(Season 8, Episode 21).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses the professionalization and pricing of youth sports and how families can navigate the growing investment of time, money, and expectations in youth athletics.

The decision is not to stop playing youth sports, but rather to participate in sports, and anything else in life, with intention.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

Parents have the equally difficult but fantastic role of raising children. When their children are blessed with athletic talent, there is an opportunity to train and eventually have a professional career. However, most youth sports participants, just like most high school and college athletes, do not make it to the professional level. Most professional athletes do not have lengthy careers, become an All-Star, win a championship, or get inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The point of sports is to compete and win. However, the process of getting to victory and staying victorious in sport is just as important. Sports also provide community, test one’s abilities, and foster physical, mental, and social development.

At what point do youth sports become too expensive and/or produce diminishing returns? Parents often wrestle with how involved they should be, how much they should encourage their children to compete, and which sports their children should pursue. Parents of course want to see their children become successful in all of their endeavors.

There is, however, a balance between guidance and independence. Parents, coaches, and advisors often observe that the line between support and overinvolvement can become blurred when significant time, money, and emotion are invested in a child's athletic development. Push too hard and children will resent the insistence. If parents do not encourage or discipline enough, then the child has little direction. There is hope in the area between encouragement and discipline where the child has to make choices and strive for things they want. A mistake in all of this would be to assume that children can live the dreams of their parents, but the child does not want to take a predetermined path willingly.

Youth sports were once primarily community activities where children learned social skills, competition, teamwork, and had fun. Today, youth sports often require significant financial commitments, extensive travel, and year-round participation, while presenting a broader view of what athletic achievement may be possible. This is not an indictment of youth sports programming, particularly private programs, but rather an opportunity for parents and their children to reflect on why youth sports matter and what role they should play in family life.

According to a Project Play report by the Aspen Institute from March 2025, American families spend approximately $40 billion per year on youth sports, with 54-56% of children aged 6 to 17 participating. The cost to play youth sports per family increased 46% from 2019 to 2025. One explanation for this increase is that many families placed renewed value on sports participation and community engagement following the government restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The argument is that parents wanted to reinforce the community and competition of sports that government restrictions had shut down, which is understandable.

The spending increase may also be influenced by the growing visibility of name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) opportunities in high school and college athletics. While only a small percentage of high school athletes will benefit financially from NIL, its prominence has increased awareness of the potential economic opportunities associated with athletic success. That perception can further intensify competition and investment among families participating in youth sports, creating a trickle-down effect throughout the youth sports ecosystem.

Parents want more for their children, but often at an increased expense of money and time. Families and coaches should remember that talent, effort, and opportunity remain the primary drivers of athletic success. The athletes who ultimately reach and sustain professional careers are exceptionally rare, regardless of the amount of money spent on training, travel, or competition. Talent, effort, and perseverance are often the qualities that make athletic careers successful and sustain achievement in any profession.

The decision is not to stop playing youth sports, but rather to participate in sports, and anything else in life, with intention. Participation should be driven by development and enjoyment, not merely the pursuit of future opportunities. Parents making decisions for their children in sports should also consider the impact it has on the family, budget, time, and influence. A child’s interests and talents should be pursued, whether that is playing the piano, baseball, or pursuing acting. However, pursuit should not be at the expense of soundness, like a family’s financial stability, time commitments, other children, and overall well-being.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

California Sports Lawyer® is pleased to introduce The CSL Briefing, a new weekly publication from Jeremy M. Evans covering developments across entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law.

The CSL Briefing covers developments across entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law through commentary and analysis from Jeremy M. Evans, CEO & Managing Attorney of California Sports Lawyer®.

New editions will be delivered weekly with perspective on notable developments shaping the marketplace.

Subscribe to The CSL Briefing.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans explores how entertainment attorneys are increasingly becoming key players in negotiating technology-driven business deals across the sports and entertainment industries. As media, content distribution, artificial intelligence, streaming platforms, and digital rights continue evolving, attorneys are navigating a rapidly changing landscape where legal strategy and business innovation are more connected than ever.

Jeremy examines how technology agreements are reshaping traditional entertainment and sports business models, including licensing, intellectual property protection, NIL opportunities, sponsorships, media rights, and data monetization. The episode also discusses the growing role of attorneys in structuring partnerships involving emerging technologies, digital platforms, and global content distribution.

As technology continues transforming entertainment and sports, the intersection of law, business, and innovation may become one of the defining forces shaping the future of the industry.

(Season 8, Episode 20).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses how advances in AI and technology are changing entertainment and sports law practices and reshaping the modern practice of law.

The pace of the practice of law is also changing. Contracts are evolving faster than traditional legal standards.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

The practice of law is changing and has changed much already. Advances in communication, technology, and generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) are providing opportunities for attorneys to be focused more on strategic and novel ways of practicing law. Time will always be important, but more important on how time is spent.

Generative AI through large language models ("LLMs") and AI agents have become assistants to lawyers and law firms and in many ways have made research and learning much easier. The question is not whether there is information available to learn, but again whether the time spent is valuable and geared towards learning and application. Governments and companies using AI technology is also making its way into contracts, policies, and in proprietary development.

Specifically in entertainment and sports law practices, contracts being negotiated now include AI provisions that simultaneously deal with streaming platforms, data, and digital rights. Talent agreements and union negotiations and deals now include AI and likeness protections. Clients now expect attorneys to understand AI, data privacy, platform monetization, streaming business models, advertisement revenue, and algorithms.

Legal practices are also beginning to blend together. Entertainment, media, sports, privacy, and technology law increasingly overlap. For example, a sponsorship deal may now involve name, image, and likeness ("NIL") rights, content licensing, and AI-generated marketing.

The pace of the practice of law is also changing. Contracts are evolving faster than traditional legal standards. The time in which projects are being completed are also faster. Attorneys are essentially negotiating AI clauses and intellectual property (“IP”) ownership before courts and laws have fully defined the rules.

Entertainment and sports attorneys are no longer contained to contract and IP law. Attorneys are advising on technology, business strategy, digital risks, and risk management. Technology and AI specifically have not only changed entertainment deals, it has changed the practice of law.

AI has changed and will continue to change how attorneys practice law. An attorney is no longer operating only as a legal technician. The role is becoming more strategic and interdisciplinary. In many ways, attorneys are becoming more what they were meant to be: advisors, counselors, and strategy partners.

AI and technology are dissolving the traditional boundaries between legal practice areas. AI and technology are accelerating the pace of legal adaptation itself. Attorneys need to be educated and trained in interpreting AI inputs and outputs. Attorneys also need to know how to use AI and how it can affect their clients.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines the growing legal and business tension between college athletics revenue sharing and Title IX compliance. As universities prepare for a new era of direct athlete compensation, schools and conferences are facing major questions surrounding institutional risk and the future structure of college sports.

Jeremy discusses how emerging revenue-sharing models could reshape athletic departments nationwide, including the potential impact on scholarships, Olympic sports, athlete opportunities, and long-term financial planning. The episode also explores how ongoing litigation, NIL expansion, and media rights growth are accelerating change across collegiate athletics.

As college sports continue evolving, the intersection of revenue sharing and Title IX along with athlete employment status may become one of the most significant legal and business challenges facing the industry. 

(Season 8, Episode 19).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listeners should consult counsel regarding their specific circumstances.

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans writes about potential litigation risk with colleges and Title IX related to athletic department spending.

The answer is legally clear that revenue sharing without Title IX in mind is a lawsuit and more disruption waiting to happen.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

The next phase of college sports has begun. The House settlement shifted the conversation from whether athletes will be compensated to how colleges will structure compensation. Colleges are now financial managers through their athletic departments as much as academics are a part of graduating with a degree.

Most colleges have focused on recruiting, NIL competitiveness, and revenue allocation. The less, but equally important issue to financial competitiveness is whether emerging revenue-sharing systems create new Title IX exposure and how to plan governance. The answer is legally clear that revenue sharing without Title IX in mind is a lawsuit and more disruption waiting to happen.

Colleges are moving so quickly toward implementation that they are underestimating the legal and operational risks that follow. Colleges are now giving substantially-weighted budgets to football and men’s basketball because those are the revenue producing sports. In a logical, capitalistic, and free market manner, it makes sense. The sports programs that make the money should have more access to resources.

However, Title IX requires fair treatment to male and female college sports from institutions (e.g., and their athletic programs) that receive federal funding (e.g., grants, etc.). To unhide the proverbial ball, every education institution in the United States, private or public, receives federal dollars, so colleges all are subject to Title IX requirements. Title IX became more directly implicated once colleges moved from third-party NIL structures toward direct institutional compensation through the House settlement framework. Had NIL stayed the original legislative course through market-bearing metrics for individual athletes based on their social media presence, Title IX would almost certainly not have been triggered.

Title IX does not require the athletic numbers to be exact, but how allocation decisions must be justified and documented. Colleges may face questions regarding proportional treatment, participation opportunities, and institutional support structures. The legal concern will stem less from NIL itself and more from athletic department-controlled compensation systems.

House settlement-related roster restructuring may also create unintended consequences because Title IX is generally focused on participation opportunities and if the financial math does not make sense to support a program, it could lead to eliminating or reducing roster spots. The Johnson v. NCAA case and employment-status litigation is separately working its way through the courts. The more athletes resemble employees, the more compensation systems may face broader scrutiny. Federal legislation through Congress and signed by the President for a limited antitrust exemption could be a solution to prevent the employee aspect, but Title IX would still be in effect as it is not an antitrust issue.

In response, colleges should be preparing for a Title IX lawsuit risk. Colleges should be conducting comprehensive risk audits and implementing policies that manage financial spend for athletics. Revenue-sharing models made possible by the House settlement should be analyzed broadly in the context of compensation structures, participation, rosters, scholarships, facilities, and operational soundness. In other words, proactive compliance is good policy.

Under Title IX, compensation models need clear and defensible rationales. This means documented methodology, objective business rationale, and internal consistency, semester-to-semester, and year-over-year. The issue is not necessarily whether football receives more money, but whether the decision-making process is defensible.

Governance in athletic departments now requires legal oversight, compensation planning, HR-style supervision, and integrated-smart compliance operations. Traditional NCAA oversight is no longer enough. Athletic departments are now sophisticated risk-management organizations and have been for some time. Governance discipline now may reduce future legal exposure. The colleges best positioned moving forward may not simply be the most competitive financially, but the ones most prepared structurally and legally for what comes next.

This column is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult counsel regarding their specific circumstances.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans breaks down how technology is transforming the business of sports venues and live entertainment. Today’s stadiums are no longer just places to watch games, they are becoming fully connected entertainment environments built around data, digital engagement, security, and premium fan experiences.

Jeremy discusses the growing investment in smart venue infrastructure, including artificial intelligence, mobile integration, biometric systems, enhanced connectivity, and immersive technologies designed to reshape how fans interact with teams and events. The conversation also explores the broader business and legal considerations tied to these innovations, from sponsorship opportunities and media strategy to privacy concerns, financing, and long-term franchise growth.

As teams and leagues compete to modernize the live event experience, the future of sports may increasingly depend on who builds the smartest and most connected venues.

(Season 8, Episode 18).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans analyzes how the growing stadium technology arms race is transforming sports business, fan engagement, media strategy, and venue development across professional and collegiate athletics.

Venues are assets as much as budgets for NIL have become.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

Sports venues were once places where athletes just competed. Benches were wooden or basic metal and scoreboard updates were either changed by hand (e.g., still the case at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts) or in some analog format. Coaching was done by the ancient practice of yelling across the field or through hand signals and signs.

In today’s environment, sports venues are much more than places for athletes to compete. Venues are central to the success of sports franchises. Sports venues are now the lifeblood for maintaining and increasing revenue, advertising exposure, and entertainment events.

For example, the University of Illinois’ $20 million Daktronics video board and display project highlights the size of changes being made not only in the Big Ten conference, but in general in sports. Historic venues like the Rose Bowl are also investing in modernization projects to remain competitive while preserving tradition. FIFA is also working through venue upgrades for the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Clippers Intuit Dome is one of the most technologically advanced sports venues in the United States. A patron can enter the stadium through advanced facial recognition and without ever needing to use a physical or digital wallet.

Sports venues are also quickly becoming media platforms by proxy. The Sphere in Las Vegas is like many venues that have become social media magnets. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, has a halo board creating continuous advertising and content opportunities to keep fans engaged. Social media content created by patrons fuels excitement for both the sporting event and the venue itself. Sports social media reflects the same phenomenon that occurs when friends recommend a great movie or television show to others. Interest spreads quickly and becomes viral.

Commercialization and revenue generation through naming rights and advertising are goals of the upgrades, but possibly more importantly is that patron expectations and interests have changed. Venue internet/Wi-Fi connectivity, safety, and ease of ingress and egress are essential. In the past, the internet did not exist and neither did social media. Public concern surrounding venue safety increased significantly following the Oklahoma City bombing and the September 11 attacks, but technology is a major focus of venues and will continue to be in the future.

Sports betting integration and engagement has also become an important part of venue upgrades and future venues where betting is permitted by state law or increasingly through federally regulated prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. For example, Wrigley Field has a sportsbook integration with DraftKings. The Capital One Arena and Caesars Sportsbook partnership (an NHL and NBA venue) in Washington, D.C., built in 2021, was the first of its kind to house betting within an American sports venue. Technology and safety are again important, as are interactive mobile and second-screen experiences in venues that help deliver real-time statistics, gaming, fan personalization, and increased engagement.

Lastly, there is increasing competition among sports franchises, leagues, universities, and conferences. Each university, franchise, or venue must remain relevant and much of that is done through meeting fans with their present and growing expectations. Venues are assets in much the same way that NIL budgets have become. Of course, historic venues also need upkeep, as is the case with Fenway, Wrigley, and Lambeau Field.

With these changes to venues, there will be increased concern with safety and privacy. There may also be a time when private funding is not available for upgrades and public funds through bonds and tax dollars are requested from officials and owners. The stadium technology arms race is unlikely to slow as franchises, universities, and leagues continue competing for fan attention, revenue, and relevance.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans explores the rapid integration of sports betting into the live sports experience and the growing debate over its influence on games, broadcasts, and public perception. As betting odds, sponsorships, and real-time wagering become increasingly embedded in sports media, important questions arise about where the line should be drawn—and who is ultimately responsible for maintaining the integrity of the game.

Long viewed as a separate activity, sports betting is now deeply intertwined with leagues, teams, media companies, and even player narratives. This episode examines how this shift is reshaping the fan experience, influencing commentary and coverage, and creating new legal and ethical challenges across the industry.

As the business of sports continues to evolve, the conversation highlights the need for clearer standards, thoughtful regulation, and shared accountability among stakeholders. With integrity, transparency, and consumer protection at the forefront, this episode underscores why balancing innovation with responsibility is critical for the future of sports and media alike.

(Season 8, Episode 17).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans examines the growing integration of sports betting into broadcasts and explores whether responsibility lies with leagues, media, or players as wagering becomes embedded in the modern fan experience.

Leagues must also draw the line to protect the sport.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

Sports betting is now available for every phone, television screen, and mentioned is nearly every broadcast. While great for increased engagement among fans and increased tax and fee revenue, sports betting does have a weakness. Addiction and impropriety are those weaknesses.

While the Supreme Court in Murphy v. NCAA and laws through state legislatures opened the door to increased sports betting, the most powerful actors are not the ones who made betting legal, they are the ones who made it unavoidable. That points directly at sports leagues and the media.

Courts and legislatures made sports betting possible, but leagues and media have made it pervasive—often faster than meaningful safeguards could keep up. This is why sports betting has a quintessential threat to its sanctity and purity of the game. Sports betting has become too available and too pervasive.

Sports betting is no longer adjacent, it is now integrated into league and team deals. Watching a game now includes live odds, betting segments, and sponsored commentary. The broadcast experience has evolved into something closer to a betting interface.

What is alarming is that sports leagues have gone from the resistance and opposition to active and participating in production and profits. Leagues control the product and set the tone for normalization. In many ways, financial incentives in deals align with betting growth. Did the leagues move too quickly without building integrity in its infrastructure or is technology now catching up with sports betting violations amongst the athletes? Maybe it is both.

With the integration of betting into broadcasts, availability of odds, betting segments, phone application convenience, and commentary, it is like sticking red meat in front of a hungry lion. Talent and programming are tied to sportsbook partnerships that is blurring the line between journalism, entertainment, and promotion. There is also legal and ethical issues with an increase in sports betting related to disclosure, inducement, and audience protection. In some ways, the media and applications have transformed sports betting from limited access or optional to unavoidable.

The athletes are the most regulated, yet also the most exposed. Athletes have the strictest rules and increasing enforcement, but are directly tied to performance. In other words, there is disproportionate exposure and consequences for athletes compared to their control over the system.

When athletes are the most involved and responsible for results, an integrity gap is created. There must be safeguards like education, monitoring, and policies keeping pace with integration. There must be limitations on implementation of sports betting with leagues until safeguards can keep pace. Leagues must also draw the line to protect the sport. Athletes and media must do their part for integrity as well.

The sustainability of sports betting depends not on legality, but on whether its integration into sports remains credible and responsible. The future debate is not whether betting belongs in sports, but whether it has already gone too far into the broadcast itself. At its core, sports derive meaning from fair competition. Integrity is not incidental to the game, it is inseparable from it. Unless something is done to change the current path, betting scandals at all levels of sport will continue to be a part of the daily news.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans explores the growing discussion around major sports events and the push for more balanced deal structures and shared financial risk. As cities, leagues, and governing bodies continue to pursue high-profile events, the stakes have never been higher—raising important questions about who benefits, who bears the burden, and how these deals are structured.

Often celebrated for their economic impact and global visibility, major events such as the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl also bring complex legal, financial, and political considerations. This episode takes a closer look at the realities behind hosting agreements, including public funding, infrastructure demands, and long-term return on investment.

As the sports and entertainment business continues to evolve on a global stage, the conversation highlights why transparency, public-private partnerships, smarter risk allocation, and good dealmaking are critical for creating stronger, more balanced outcomes for host cities, leagues, and stakeholders alike. 

(Season 8, Episode 16).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans examines the growing scale of major sports events and makes the case for smarter deal structures between leagues and host cities.

Cities should move away from relying on projected economic impact and instead focus on actual costs and revenues.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

In 2016, the author wrote a column entitled “Stadium Financing: American Taxpayers Should Throw the Red Flag”. The piece centered around cities being wise with taxpayer dollars when building sports venues. This column takes a similar approach, but focuses on major sporting events like the recent NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Major sports events continue to scale in measurable ways. The 2026 NFL Draft drew 805,000 fans across three days. While impressive, that figure reflects total entries rather than unique individuals, which can overstate actual economic reach. The 2024 NFL Draft drew 775,000 attendees, while Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas generated an estimated $1 billion in regional economic impact according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The economic impact appears significant given the volume of attendees ideally spending on food, beverages, merchandise, and hotels. However, the underlying structure of these events tells a different story. The traditional model places most operational costs on cities, while sports leagues retain the primary revenue streams. Host cities typically handle security, infrastructure, and logistics through taxpayer dollars, while leagues control media rights, sponsorships, and premium event revenue. Cities often accept these arrangements due to civic pride and the promise of economic impact.

Cities should move away from relying on projected economic impact and instead focus on actual costs and revenues. A more balanced model would require establishing a baseline where the city’s costs are fully covered through event-generated revenue, with a defined profit-sharing structure. Ideally, the city would recover its costs and receive a portion of the upside, while leagues would retain a majority share reflecting their control of the event’s commercial assets.

By way of example, a framework where a city recovers its costs and participates in a defined share of the upside—such as one-third of net profits, with the league retaining the balance—could better align incentives while recognizing each party’s role. If leagues attempt to leverage competing cities to secure more favorable terms, city leadership must be willing to walk away. Financial strain often results from accepting unfavorable deals or overspending relative to actual revenue. Discipline in negotiation is essential.

As a baseline, cities should not subsidize the costs of a privately operated commercial event without clear and measurable return. If city resources are used, they should be compensated. There are exceptions for charitable activities, but major sporting events are commercial enterprises designed to generate revenue. Partnerships can also incorporate performance-based metrics tied to hotel occupancy, sales tax revenue, and ticket sales. For example, if hotel occupancy exceeds 90 percent during the event, the city’s revenue share could adjust accordingly.

Cities also need to resist the urge to host major sporting events simply because they are popular, but fail to meet fiscally responsible standards. If cities are partners in sports events, they should be treated and compensated as such. Sports leagues depend on cities as essential partners, and cities should negotiate accordingly.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans explores the evolving landscape of alternative and emerging sports leagues and what it takes to achieve long-term success in a competitive industry. As new leagues continue to launch, questions arise around sustainability, innovation, and the ability to capture fan interest and investor confidence.

Often viewed as disruptors to traditional models, these leagues face challenges including financial stability, media rights, player development, and market differentiation. This episode examines how alternative leagues can move beyond short-term experimentation toward durable, scalable business models.

As the sports industry continues to evolve, the conversation highlights why reinvention, strong leadership, and clear structure are essential for leagues seeking credibility, longevity, and meaningful impact.

(Season 8, Episode 15).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans evaluates the pathways for alternative sports leagues to build sustainable success despite structural and economic headwinds.

Having money to invest is not the only requirement to success.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

Starting a new sports league has always been a difficult task. History shows that start-up sports leagues have four common outcomes. The first is failure. The second is consolidation with an existing sports league (either as whole or for specific franchises). The third is success, which is the least likely result, particularly in the big five sports in the United States (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS).

A possible fourth option for upstart sports leagues is to survive in the margins. Meaning, starting a non-big five sport or becoming a feeder league like the UFL has become for the NFL (which is a combination of two former iterations of the USFL and two versions of the XFL). These sports find gaps in the market and end up defining the space.

Having money to invest is not the only requirement to success. Access to capital, influential leaders, and a strong market to succeed are essential. Once a league is developed, the individual franchises must follow the four tenets of success: greatness in personnel, venue, lease, and market. It is also true that antitrust helps to protect existing leagues along with salary caps, standard contracts for players, and television deals.

Most upstart leagues lack the standing power to survive. The history of the big five provides a story of ups and downs, but mainly staying alive and thriving. There was a time when the NBA was a very popular league, but it recently has descended in popularity to Major League Baseball with the NFL in the driver seat. MLS is growing significantly, especially since the league started in the mid-1990s. Meanwhile, Major League Baseball has a major labor dispute being negotiated and on the horizon placing the 2027 season in jeopardy at one of the most popular times in the sports history.

Upstart sports leagues often struggle to replicate the “sports flywheel” (e.g., media rights, fan loyalty, and sponsorship). All three of those “wheels” require public and private investment into the new league. When comparing to LIV Golf, there was a plan for investment and success, but if the players leave or have dual loyalties to another competing league or governance (e.g., PGA), it creates a fragmented media landscape, lack of legacy fandom, and with high player acquisition costs, nearly impossible to survive long term.

Ultimately, launching a league is only the beginning. Sustaining it requires disciplined governance, alignment with investor expectations, and a clear economic model. Increasingly, sports are treated as an asset class, where value and competition must coexist. The likely future for alternative leagues is not outright disruption, but adaptation—through consolidation, strategic partnerships with established leagues, or niche positioning in the margins.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.