On this episode of Conduct Detrimental: THE Sports Law Podcast, Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust) is joined by Mike Lawson (@Mikesonoflaw) and Mike Kravchenko (Watch on YouTube) to reunite for a Mike & Mike edition tackling the latest sports law stories of the week.The trio opens with Sophie Cunningham, who's had a busy two weeks. First up is the report that the WNBPA has barred licensed partners from using Cunningham's viral 22-second "pointing" gesture on merchandise. Mike Lawson breaks down the group licensing agreement with Fanatics and other partners, why the union is calling player-on-player confrontation imagery "derogatory." From there, the conversation turns to Cunningham's recent on-record comments on trans athletes in women's sports — published, notably, the same weeks the licensing story broke — and whether the WNBA's continued silence, contrasted against the UFC's swift public denunciation of Josh Hokit's White House-card comments, says something about where the league actually stands on its most talked-about players.
Mike K then catches everyone up on the ongoing Stefon Diggs litigation against Christopher Griffith, including the discovery fight over Instagram and iMessage records, and why newly produced travel-booking and phone-log evidence could push the case from civil into criminal territory. Mike Lawson follows with the NFL's indefinite suspension of Cardinals college scout Ryan Gold for allegedly leaking non-public draft information — the parlay bets that allegedly cashed off it, and Dan's tangent on why family members are so often the weak link in gambling-policy violations.
From there, the show dives into the LeBron James "Decision 2.0" saga playing out in real time on Kalshi — the Miami Heat's since-scrutinized "introductory press conference" livestream dated July 27th, the wild odds swings that followed, and much much more. Dan also shares his own market position on when the announcement will actually come.
The episode closes with Dustin Poirier's arrest for public intoxication, Bud Light's same-day termination of his endorsement deal, and a deep dive into morals clauses — why Poirier's other sponsors have stood by him, and what that says about leverage in athlete endorsement contracts.
Plus, what to watch for: Aaron Donald's potential NFL return and Dan's UFC futures bet on the middleweight title picture.
Let us know your thoughts!
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As always, this episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review: https://www.themisbarsocial.com/conductdetrimental
Host: Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)
Featuring: Mike Lawson (@Mikesonoflaw) Mike Kravchenko (Watch on YouTube)
Produced by: Mike Kravchenko (Watch on YouTube)
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