Who Pays When a League Winds Down? | California Sports Lawyer® Podcast

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans discusses who bears the loss when a professional sports league runs out of money. LIV Golf has announced plans to wind down operations while remaining open to alternatives. Its Chapter 11 case raises questions about what happens to the players, employees, vendors, and business partners who relied on the league’s promises.

Jeremy explains why a signed contract does not guarantee payment and how secured claims, unsecured claims, and ongoing agreements may be treated differently in bankruptcy. The episode also considers why startup leagues struggle to compete with established organizations that already have audiences, media contracts, sponsors, and access to venues.

The discussion looks at the different paths competing leagues have taken, including combinations involving the AFL, ABA, WHA, XFL, and USFL. LIV Golf’s challenge also put pressure on the PGA Tour as it increased purses and changed its schedule. A league may close without ending the competition it created, but building one that lasts requires enough revenue and investment to meet its obligations along the way.

Season 8, Episode 44.

Listen as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print behind the biggest topics and most compelling legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports. The California Sports Lawyer® Podcast is currently ranked among FeedSpot’s top 10 entertainment law podcasts and sports law podcasts and is available on all major platforms.

Listen to the Episode.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the CEO and Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing companies, creators, and talent in dealmaking matters across entertainment, media, sports, and intellectual property. 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 is a premier audio and video network that produces, distributes, and sells sports and lifestyle content. With more than 500 shows, Bleav reaches audiences across major podcast platforms, YouTube, social media, regional sports television networks, streaming video services, and FAST TV. The network helps hosts distribute and monetize their programs while connecting fans with a diverse range of sports and lifestyle content.