The California Sports Lawyer Podcast with Jeremy Evans

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why the next media empire will be built around live experiences. As digital content and streaming technology create an abundance of media, live entertainment remains scarce, increasing the value of experiences that combine intellectual property, technology, venues, ticketing, and direct audience participation.

Jeremy discusses how Sphere’s The Wizard of Oz and MARI’s proposed acquisition of ATG Entertainment reflect the convergence of content, production, physical distribution, ticketing, and audience relationships. The episode also explores how artificial intelligence and immersive technology can transform existing intellectual property, how live experiences generate revenue beyond ticket sales, and why content libraries may become the foundation for the future of live entertainment.

As entertainment, media, sports, intellectual property, technology, and law continue converging, companies that can repeatedly transform intellectual property into live experiences across venues and markets may be positioned to build enduring media businesses. Success will depend on legal and business structures addressing talent and intellectual property rights, technology licenses, music, approvals, venue terms, sponsorships, ticketing data, territories, and future formats.

(Season 8, Episode 32).

Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com)

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans analyzes how the Protect College Sports Act could significantly reshape college athletics. With the legislation placed on the U.S. Senate’s September calendar, its national standards could determine how schools, conferences, athletes, and governing associations approach compensation, eligibility, competition, and education.

Jeremy discusses why support from the Big Ten and SEC matters, how limited antitrust protection could strengthen the enforcement of uniform rules, and why the Act may provide much-needed stability across college sports. The episode also explores name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation, revenue sharing, transfers, athlete eligibility, agent conduct, health and educational protections, athlete representation, and collective bargaining.

As sports, education, business, labor, and law continue converging, the Protect College Sports Act could establish the most consequential national framework of the NIL era. Its ultimate effectiveness would still depend on courts defining legal boundaries, conferences and schools applying workable standards, and athletes having a meaningful voice. An act of Congress may not resolve every issue, but it could fundamentally change how college sports are governed and conducted.

(Season 8, Episode 31).

Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com)

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans analyzes seven truths about baseball and competitive balance following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ acquisition of Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. The trade renewed questions about payroll disparities, competitive parity, and whether limiting successful teams would actually produce a healthier and more competitive sport.

Jeremy discusses why spending helps but does not guarantee championships, how trades and player development require organizations to assume risk, and why salary caps primarily provide owners with greater cost certainty. The episode also explores salary floors, the Competitive Balance Tax, revenue sharing, tanking, franchise valuations, and whether every team should be required to reinvest a reasonable percentage of its revenue in player salaries, development, coaching, facilities, venue improvements, and the fan experience.

As baseball, business, labor, and law continue converging, competitive balance requires more than restricting what ambitious teams may spend. Players deserve to participate in the growth they help create, while owners deserve reasonable cost certainty and the opportunity to earn a return on their investments. The stronger approach encourages responsible investment throughout the league without limiting ambition at the top or tolerating inaction at the bottom.

(Season 8, Episode 30).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans analyzes how increasingly complex media-rights agreements can determine where games are played, how they are distributed, and whether they happen at all. The canceled Duke–Michigan basketball game demonstrates how competing contractual claims can prevent a valuable sports opportunity from moving forward.

Jeremy discusses why Duke and the ACC believed they could place the game on Amazon Prime Video with ESPN’s approval, while the Big Ten and Fox maintained that the rights belonged to them under an agreement governing neutral-site games between the conferences. The episode also explores media consolidation, the expanding role of sports agencies at the intersection of talent, investment, capital, and strategy, and the consequences that rights disputes create for schools, athletes, venues, sponsors, and fans.

(Season 8, Episode 29).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines whether the extraordinary attention generated by the 2026 FIFA World Cup can produce lasting growth for American soccer. With the tournament complete, leagues, clubs, networks, sponsors, and development programs now face the challenge of converting temporary interest into sustained fandom, investment, and player-development opportunities.

Jeremy discusses how Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro, the USL Championship, local clubs, youth programs, and development academies can build on the tournament’s momentum. The episode explores the importance of attendance, viewership, sponsorships, merchandise sales, coaching, facilities, advertising, and clearer pathways from youth and college soccer to professional and international competition.

As sports, media, business, technology, and player development continue converging, the long-term impact of the World Cup will be measured by what happens after the final match. American soccer must now demonstrate that it can retain the audience, investment, and cultural relevance created by the tournament while building sustainable sports businesses and expanding the American talent pool.

(Season 8, Episode 28).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why consent is becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets in entertainment, media, and sports. As technology continues transforming how content is created, distributed, licensed, and consumed, consent has evolved beyond a legal requirement into a strategic business advantage that increasingly shapes commercial relationships across the industry.

Jeremy discusses how artificial intelligence, intellectual property, contracts, publicity rights, name, image, and likeness (NIL), licensing, and digital content are redefining the importance of transparency, trust, and permission. The episode explores how businesses, creators, athletes, and rightsholders can better protect their interests while navigating rapidly evolving technologies and business models.

As entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law continue converging, consent is becoming the foundation upon which modern content businesses are built. Understanding how contracts, technology, and trust intersect provides valuable insight into why the organizations creating the greatest long-term value will be those that earn, negotiate, protect, and clearly define consent.

(Season 8, Episode 27).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans takes listeners inside the business of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and explains why the tournament has become one of the world's largest sports businesses. While billions of fans are watching the matches, executives, broadcasters, sponsors, host cities, and media companies are participating in one of the most successful commercial enterprises in global sports.

Jeremy discusses how FIFA generates revenue through media rights, sponsorships, licensing, hospitality, and prize money while examining the economic impact on broadcasters, advertisers, host cities, tourism, and the growing content economy. The episode also explains how FIFA distributes prize money to participating national football associations and how those funds support player bonuses and football development.

As sports, entertainment, media, business, technology, and law continue converging, the FIFA World Cup demonstrates how a global sporting event can become one of the world's most successful business models. Understanding the business behind the tournament provides insight into how value is created, who benefits economically, and why there are two stories to every World Cup: who wins the trophy and how billions of dollars move through the global sports economy.

(Season 8, Episode 26).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why identity is becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets in sports and entertainment. As artificial intelligence increasingly enables a person's voice, likeness, image, movement, and persona to be recreated, replicated, and commercialized, contracts are evolving beyond traditional performances to address publicity rights, licensing, and digital identity.

Jeremy discusses how these developments are influencing negotiations across Hollywood, professional sports, collegiate athletics, media, and the broader creator economy. The episode explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, publicity rights, intellectual property, and name, image, and likeness (NIL), while considering the legal and business questions surrounding consent, ownership, digital replicas, and future technologies.

(Season 8, Episode 25).

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why the next major challenge facing college athletics is not athlete compensation, but the governance and enforcement of name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Jeremy discusses the rapid development of NIL, the role of the NCAA and College Sports Commission, and the growing need for consistent oversight, compliance, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. As NIL opportunities continue to expand, questions surrounding enforcement, deal valuations, recruiting, and institutional accountability have become increasingly important.

The episode also explores the legal and business implications of NIL governance and why the future of college sports may depend on who creates, interprets, and enforces the rules.

(Season 8, Episode 24).

Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com)

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In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines the rapid rise of the creator economy and its growing influence across the sports and entertainment businesses. As athletes, entertainers, teams, leagues, media personalities, and content creators increasingly build direct relationships with audiences through digital platforms, traditional models of media, marketing, and brand engagement continue to evolve.

Jeremy discusses how content creators, social media platforms, and emerging technologies have expanded opportunities for individuals and organizations to control their own narratives, develop personal brands, and generate new revenue streams. The episode explores the shifting dynamics between traditional media companies and independent creators, as well as the growing importance of audience engagement in a digitally connected marketplace.

The discussion also addresses the business implications of creator-driven content, including sponsorship opportunities, intellectual property considerations, influencer marketing, athlete and entertainer entrepreneurship, and the changing expectations of consumers. As the creator economy continues reshaping sports, entertainment, and media, stakeholders throughout these industries may need to consider how innovation, authenticity, and audience connection will influence the future of content creation, commerce, and fan engagement.

(Season 8, Episode 23).

Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com)

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