2 hours ago
The Los Angeles Clippers finally got an answer on the NBA's cap circumvention investigation, but it's not the one they were hoping for. Despite claiming innocence and complying with the league throughout the process, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver came down with strict penalties, including a $30 million fine, the loss of five draft picks, and suspensions for several Clippers executives.
Instead of accepting their losses, however, the Clippers plan to fight with everything they have. After making their initial statement today, they shared their official email to the Commissioner, in which they called him out on the way this investigation was conducted. According to the Clippers, they worked tirelessly to comply with the league office, committing millions of dollars and many hours to prove their innocence.
"Almost one year ago today, you announced that the league would be investigating podcast allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers engaged in salary cap circumvention by funneling money to Kawhi Leonard through a 'no-show' contract with a Clippers sponsor, Aspiration. In announcing that investigation, you represented that 'due process' and 'a fundamental sense of fairness' would govern the process. You made clear that the 'burden [would be] on the league' to prove any violation through actual evidence, not 'mere appearances.' And you concluded by promising that everyone involved in the investigation would be treated 'the same way I would want to be treated if people were making allegations against me.'"
"Unfortunately, none of those promises have been kept. In the last year, Steve Ballmer has spent nearly $50 million funding an investigation by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz that has stretched far beyond the bounds of what the league set out to investigate, let alone the bounds of 'fundamental fairness.' The Clippers have produced more than 30,000 documents and provided more than 20 witnesses who have sat for 30 interviews."
"Third parties, including Clippers business partners and sponsors, have likewise provided documents, interviews, and statements to investigators. Mr. Ballmer has reimbursed the costs of at least six law firms, many of which were hired at the demand of the league's lawyers. To say the investigation has been a distraction would be an understatement—Clippers employees have spent thousands of hours scouring document repositories, phones, messaging systems, central files, and accounting records, working with counsel, and sitting for interviews. This investigation has permanently strained relationships with key Clippers stakeholders."
#angeles #commissioner #circumvention #innocence
Instead of accepting their losses, however, the Clippers plan to fight with everything they have. After making their initial statement today, they shared their official email to the Commissioner, in which they called him out on the way this investigation was conducted. According to the Clippers, they worked tirelessly to comply with the league office, committing millions of dollars and many hours to prove their innocence.
"Almost one year ago today, you announced that the league would be investigating podcast allegations that the Los Angeles Clippers engaged in salary cap circumvention by funneling money to Kawhi Leonard through a 'no-show' contract with a Clippers sponsor, Aspiration. In announcing that investigation, you represented that 'due process' and 'a fundamental sense of fairness' would govern the process. You made clear that the 'burden [would be] on the league' to prove any violation through actual evidence, not 'mere appearances.' And you concluded by promising that everyone involved in the investigation would be treated 'the same way I would want to be treated if people were making allegations against me.'"
"Unfortunately, none of those promises have been kept. In the last year, Steve Ballmer has spent nearly $50 million funding an investigation by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz that has stretched far beyond the bounds of what the league set out to investigate, let alone the bounds of 'fundamental fairness.' The Clippers have produced more than 30,000 documents and provided more than 20 witnesses who have sat for 30 interviews."
"Third parties, including Clippers business partners and sponsors, have likewise provided documents, interviews, and statements to investigators. Mr. Ballmer has reimbursed the costs of at least six law firms, many of which were hired at the demand of the league's lawyers. To say the investigation has been a distraction would be an understatement—Clippers employees have spent thousands of hours scouring document repositories, phones, messaging systems, central files, and accounting records, working with counsel, and sitting for interviews. This investigation has permanently strained relationships with key Clippers stakeholders."
#angeles #commissioner #circumvention #innocence
6 hours ago
Law Murray: From the LA Clippers On behalf of the LA Clippers: We vehemently reject the NBA's findings, which are the result of a heavily biased investigation seeking to justify a predetermined narrative rather than facts and evidence. What the league told us privately differs from what it announced today publicly, and they have not held themselves close to the standard Commissioner Silver set at the start of this investigation to ensure it's fairness and accuracy. For the past year, we cooperated fully and in good faith and we will now fight just as hard to demonstrate our innocence. We intend to vigorously challenge these findings and penalties through every avenue available to us and look forward to an ethical and impartial arbitration process.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Clippers response to NBA ruling: We vehemently reject these findings as a biased investigation looking to justify a predetermined narrative
#investigation #reject #justify #narrative
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Clippers response to NBA ruling: We vehemently reject these findings as a biased investigation looking to justify a predetermined narrative
#investigation #reject #justify #narrative
23 hours ago
Former UFC light heavyweight ****** le contender Anthony Smith has had his next MMA fight announced despite his recent legal troubles.
Smith was arrested on July 27 in his native Nebraska on three felony charges of first-degree domestic ****** ault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released after posting a $500,000 bond.
Gamebred FC has announced that Smith will return to the cage against Jordan Heiderman on October 2.
"Gamebred Fighting Championship Official Statement: As we announce Anthony Smith's return to the Gamebred FC cage, I want to speak directly about where our organization stands. Anthony is facing serious allegations, and like every person in this country, he is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence while his case moves through the courts. He has pleaded not guilty, and that process deserves to play out fully and fairly, on its own timeline, without a promotion, a headline, or public opinion getting ahead of the facts. Anthony also has a family to provide for, and competing is how he does that. Taking away his ability to earn a living before he has had his day in court is not something Gamebred FC is willing to do to him or to the people who depend on him," Gamebred FC's statement read, per Uncrowned.
Despite his legal issues, Smith's MMA career continues for Gamebred FC after he defeated Chase Sherman in the promotion earlier this year as part of its heavyweight tournament.
#gamebred #Legal #first
Smith was arrested on July 27 in his native Nebraska on three felony charges of first-degree domestic ****** ault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. He has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released after posting a $500,000 bond.
Gamebred FC has announced that Smith will return to the cage against Jordan Heiderman on October 2.
"Gamebred Fighting Championship Official Statement: As we announce Anthony Smith's return to the Gamebred FC cage, I want to speak directly about where our organization stands. Anthony is facing serious allegations, and like every person in this country, he is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence while his case moves through the courts. He has pleaded not guilty, and that process deserves to play out fully and fairly, on its own timeline, without a promotion, a headline, or public opinion getting ahead of the facts. Anthony also has a family to provide for, and competing is how he does that. Taking away his ability to earn a living before he has had his day in court is not something Gamebred FC is willing to do to him or to the people who depend on him," Gamebred FC's statement read, per Uncrowned.
Despite his legal issues, Smith's MMA career continues for Gamebred FC after he defeated Chase Sherman in the promotion earlier this year as part of its heavyweight tournament.
#gamebred #Legal #first
13 days ago
Socialist Nithya Raman drew loud groans and hisses from a crowd of Democrats during the Los Angeles mayoral debate after she fumbled while explaining her decision to hire the political consulting firm behind disgraced former Senate candidate Graham Platner's campaign.
After winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine, Platner, also a socialist, dropped out of the race in July after several ****** ual misconduct allegations. Even before the allegations arose, Platner had stirred significant controversy over his history of inflammatory statements and a chest tattoo critics say resembles a well-known ****** symbol. Though he continues to deny the ****** ual misconduct allegations and maintains his innocence, Platner remains an embarrassment for many Democrats after several prominent figures in the party endorsed and praised him.
During the debate Wednesday night, Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Los Angeles chapter, faced questions over her decision to hire the consulting firm Fight Agency.
"[It was] reported that you've hired the same political consulting firm that managed Graham Platner's campaign in Maine, who had to resign amidst ****** ual ****** ault allegations. Is that true? And is that the best choice? And why did you make that decision?" the moderator asked.
Karen Bass Ripped After Viral Video Lays Out Taxpayer-funded Match Of Campaign Donations
#raman
After winning the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Maine, Platner, also a socialist, dropped out of the race in July after several ****** ual misconduct allegations. Even before the allegations arose, Platner had stirred significant controversy over his history of inflammatory statements and a chest tattoo critics say resembles a well-known ****** symbol. Though he continues to deny the ****** ual misconduct allegations and maintains his innocence, Platner remains an embarrassment for many Democrats after several prominent figures in the party endorsed and praised him.
During the debate Wednesday night, Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Los Angeles chapter, faced questions over her decision to hire the consulting firm Fight Agency.
"[It was] reported that you've hired the same political consulting firm that managed Graham Platner's campaign in Maine, who had to resign amidst ****** ual ****** ault allegations. Is that true? And is that the best choice? And why did you make that decision?" the moderator asked.
Karen Bass Ripped After Viral Video Lays Out Taxpayer-funded Match Of Campaign Donations
#raman
28 days ago
The sister of Meredith Kercher has said a show by Amanda Knox, who was convicted of her murder and later cleared, "normalizes and trivializes violence against women."
British foreign exchange student Kercher was killed in Perugia, in 2007, and Knox, her US roommate, was arrested and later convicted of murder and ******* ual ******* ault in 2009 alongside Knox's then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.
The couple maintained their innocence and, after years of legal battles, were acquitted of ******* ual ******* ault and murder by Italy's highest court in 2015.
Knox will now perform the show, named Cartwheel, which references a story that claimed she did cartwheels in the police station after her friend's death, at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Stephanie Kercher told BBC Breakfast: "It's left a massive void in our lives, and Amanda is naturally free to continue with her life as she wishes, but I think the problem with this particular project is that it is comedy.
#knox #show #meredith
British foreign exchange student Kercher was killed in Perugia, in 2007, and Knox, her US roommate, was arrested and later convicted of murder and ******* ual ******* ault in 2009 alongside Knox's then-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito.
The couple maintained their innocence and, after years of legal battles, were acquitted of ******* ual ******* ault and murder by Italy's highest court in 2015.
Knox will now perform the show, named Cartwheel, which references a story that claimed she did cartwheels in the police station after her friend's death, at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Stephanie Kercher told BBC Breakfast: "It's left a massive void in our lives, and Amanda is naturally free to continue with her life as she wishes, but I think the problem with this particular project is that it is comedy.
#knox #show #meredith
30 days ago
It just keeps getting worse for Sid Wilson.
Days after he was reportedly kicked out of his band, Slipknot after 30 years, his ex-fiancée, Kelly Osbourne, shared an angry message directed at him on Instagram.
Taking to her Stories, Kelly — who shares her three-year-old son, Sidney, with her ex — wrote a series of posts aimed at the DJ and keyboard player.
Kelly is not happy with Sid (Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im)
She began: "Strange how the loudest defense of the guilty is rarely innocence. It's distraction. When the mask slips, they don't face the mirror, they throw it at someone else. I also heard that when you break a mirror you get 7 years bad luck. Or is that just karma? This is why I always take accountability! As they say some are sick then [sic] others."
#osbourne
Days after he was reportedly kicked out of his band, Slipknot after 30 years, his ex-fiancée, Kelly Osbourne, shared an angry message directed at him on Instagram.
Taking to her Stories, Kelly — who shares her three-year-old son, Sidney, with her ex — wrote a series of posts aimed at the DJ and keyboard player.
Kelly is not happy with Sid (Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Im)
She began: "Strange how the loudest defense of the guilty is rarely innocence. It's distraction. When the mask slips, they don't face the mirror, they throw it at someone else. I also heard that when you break a mirror you get 7 years bad luck. Or is that just karma? This is why I always take accountability! As they say some are sick then [sic] others."
#osbourne
1 month ago
Invoking a wounded innocence that their desire for sports to be simple, just like they used to be, conservatives for a decade and a half have dreaded the word "politics". Now they cannot get enough.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has spent 40 years in the National Football League unknown except for his defensive schemes, but last week opened his press remarks mocking the congressional testimony of Dr Anthony Fauci, jokingly invoking the Fifth Amendment before taking questions. Apropos of nothing, President Trump publicly surmised that LeBron James might be a racist. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is now in the act, accepting the role as the right's anti-Black, anti-transgender culture war ambassador, the role originally intended for Caitlin Clark.
If Clark has lacked the courage and dexterity to say anything beyond the milky and ambiguous, Sophie Cunningham does not suffer from such internal conflicts. Largely anonymous politically or otherwise during her eight-year career, Cunningham – she of the viral finger-point which has been adopted as a symbol of the white animosity toward the WNBA culture – is in her moment. Her comments in a lengthy 21 July ESPN profile stating her opposition to transgender athletes has earned her hero status of the specious "Protect Our Girls" movement, even though you'd need a microscope to find any critical mass of transgender women participating in sports at any level.
Cunningham plays role of the blithe and bubbly iconoclast, oblivious to the world around as she unapologetically speaks her truths, but she is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, or her locked-armed, T-shirt wearing colleagues that defined the WNBA when she first entered the league in 2019. Cunningham forged a tough, take-no-prisoners-without-taking-herself-too-seriously persona, but was too meek to address the toxic roots of her newfound fame.
So too, was ESPN, which waited nearly 75 paragraphs just to sidestep the foundation of Cunningham's rise: she is profiting from cultural fractures that may be good for her but are tearing her league apart:
#cunningham #WNBA #invoking #sports
Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has spent 40 years in the National Football League unknown except for his defensive schemes, but last week opened his press remarks mocking the congressional testimony of Dr Anthony Fauci, jokingly invoking the Fifth Amendment before taking questions. Apropos of nothing, President Trump publicly surmised that LeBron James might be a racist. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is now in the act, accepting the role as the right's anti-Black, anti-transgender culture war ambassador, the role originally intended for Caitlin Clark.
If Clark has lacked the courage and dexterity to say anything beyond the milky and ambiguous, Sophie Cunningham does not suffer from such internal conflicts. Largely anonymous politically or otherwise during her eight-year career, Cunningham – she of the viral finger-point which has been adopted as a symbol of the white animosity toward the WNBA culture – is in her moment. Her comments in a lengthy 21 July ESPN profile stating her opposition to transgender athletes has earned her hero status of the specious "Protect Our Girls" movement, even though you'd need a microscope to find any critical mass of transgender women participating in sports at any level.
Cunningham plays role of the blithe and bubbly iconoclast, oblivious to the world around as she unapologetically speaks her truths, but she is every bit as political as Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe, or her locked-armed, T-shirt wearing colleagues that defined the WNBA when she first entered the league in 2019. Cunningham forged a tough, take-no-prisoners-without-taking-herself-too-seriously persona, but was too meek to address the toxic roots of her newfound fame.
So too, was ESPN, which waited nearly 75 paragraphs just to sidestep the foundation of Cunningham's rise: she is profiting from cultural fractures that may be good for her but are tearing her league apart:
#cunningham #WNBA #invoking #sports
1 month ago
Former UFC ****** le challenger Anthony Smith was arrested Monday in Nebraska and charged with three felonies.
While Smith has not spoken publicly since then, his manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, shared a pair of statements Friday, asking the public to withhold judgment at this time.
One such statement was from himself. The other was from Smith's wife, the alleged victim in the case, according to the Sarpy County (Neb.) attorney's office.
"We are aware of the reports concerning Anthony Smith's recent arrest," Butler wrote in a statement shared with MMA Junkie that was also posted on his Instagram. "At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment on the allegations or speculate regarding facts that have yet to be fully established. Like every individual, Anthony is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the due process protections afforded under our justice system. We respectfully ask that people avoid rushing to judgment based solely on initial reports, as they often do not reflect the complete facts or context.
"Our thoughts are with Anthony and his family as they navigate this difficult and deeply personal matter. We ask that their privacy be respected while the legal process runs its course. Out of respect for the ongoing proceedings, we will have no further comment at this time."
#shared #statement
While Smith has not spoken publicly since then, his manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, shared a pair of statements Friday, asking the public to withhold judgment at this time.
One such statement was from himself. The other was from Smith's wife, the alleged victim in the case, according to the Sarpy County (Neb.) attorney's office.
"We are aware of the reports concerning Anthony Smith's recent arrest," Butler wrote in a statement shared with MMA Junkie that was also posted on his Instagram. "At this time, it would be inappropriate to comment on the allegations or speculate regarding facts that have yet to be fully established. Like every individual, Anthony is entitled to the presumption of innocence and the due process protections afforded under our justice system. We respectfully ask that people avoid rushing to judgment based solely on initial reports, as they often do not reflect the complete facts or context.
"Our thoughts are with Anthony and his family as they navigate this difficult and deeply personal matter. We ask that their privacy be respected while the legal process runs its course. Out of respect for the ongoing proceedings, we will have no further comment at this time."
#shared #statement
1 month ago
Ex-PFL fighter Logan Storley had the charges against him dropped after he was arrested on **** ual **** ault allegations back in May in Key West, Fla.
Online records in Monroe County show that prosecutors closed the case while canceling the next court hearing, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 3. No further details were made available, but the case is now closed and Storley is cleared from the charges.
"We are pleased that the criminal case involving Logan Storley has been resolved through a pretrial diversion program, after which the State has agreed to dismiss the charges," Storley's manager and attorney David Martin said in a statement sent to MMA Fighting.
"We want to thank attorneys Jeff and Diego Weiner for their exceptional representation and most importantly, we want to thank everyone who refused to rush to judgment. The presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of our criminal justice system, and every person deserves fairness, due process, and the opportunity to have their case decided based on the facts, not public opinion.
"Logan is committed to becoming the best version of himself and looks forward to focusing on his family, his career, and the opportunities that lie ahead."
#storley #case #charges #criminal
Online records in Monroe County show that prosecutors closed the case while canceling the next court hearing, which was originally scheduled for Aug. 3. No further details were made available, but the case is now closed and Storley is cleared from the charges.
"We are pleased that the criminal case involving Logan Storley has been resolved through a pretrial diversion program, after which the State has agreed to dismiss the charges," Storley's manager and attorney David Martin said in a statement sent to MMA Fighting.
"We want to thank attorneys Jeff and Diego Weiner for their exceptional representation and most importantly, we want to thank everyone who refused to rush to judgment. The presumption of innocence remains a cornerstone of our criminal justice system, and every person deserves fairness, due process, and the opportunity to have their case decided based on the facts, not public opinion.
"Logan is committed to becoming the best version of himself and looks forward to focusing on his family, his career, and the opportunities that lie ahead."
#storley #case #charges #criminal
1 month ago
The admitted murderer Bryan Kohberger plans to file for post-conviction relief after pleading guilty to killing four University of Idaho students in a 4 a.m. home invasion attack, according to court records.
Kohberger plans to argue that he had bad counsel. Court records show he filed a petition for post-conviction relief Monday.
Kohberger, in his handwritten petition, claims that he was "convinced to falsely confess," claiming his high-profile defense team of Anne Taylor, Elisa Massoth and Bicka Barlow didn't tell him about "exculpatory discovery" — evidence mentioned in the recent "Broken Plea" book but never vetted in court.
Read the filing here:
The New York Times was first to report this story after Kohberger called a reporter directly and claimed that he has an "absolute claim of innocence" in his first public remarks outside the courtroom.
#conviction #relief
Kohberger plans to argue that he had bad counsel. Court records show he filed a petition for post-conviction relief Monday.
Kohberger, in his handwritten petition, claims that he was "convinced to falsely confess," claiming his high-profile defense team of Anne Taylor, Elisa Massoth and Bicka Barlow didn't tell him about "exculpatory discovery" — evidence mentioned in the recent "Broken Plea" book but never vetted in court.
Read the filing here:
The New York Times was first to report this story after Kohberger called a reporter directly and claimed that he has an "absolute claim of innocence" in his first public remarks outside the courtroom.
#conviction #relief
1 month ago
New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero was involved in a heated interaction with the umpire at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which saw Caballero warned following a pitch-clock violation.
Frustrations were apparent as Caballero pleaded his innocence to umpire Quinn Wolcott after the sixth inning crack down.
This is not the first time Caballero has been warned of the pitch-clock violation after being spoken to against the Toronto Blue Jays just last month.
The MLB are looking to crackdown on Caballero’s routine, which involves the 29-year-old not acknowledging the pitcher until just before the clock reaches eight seconds.
#jose
The Yankees suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which saw Caballero warned following a pitch-clock violation.
Frustrations were apparent as Caballero pleaded his innocence to umpire Quinn Wolcott after the sixth inning crack down.
This is not the first time Caballero has been warned of the pitch-clock violation after being spoken to against the Toronto Blue Jays just last month.
The MLB are looking to crackdown on Caballero’s routine, which involves the 29-year-old not acknowledging the pitcher until just before the clock reaches eight seconds.
#jose
2 months ago
LAS VEGAS -- Given how Conor McGregor typically approached his fight week press duties throughout his career, ****** ody would have blamed you if you expected a little bit more fireworks out of his appearance at UFC 329 media day on Wednesday.
However, as McGregor prepares to enter the Octagon for the first time in five years to face Max Holloway on Saturday, there's a noticeable difference in his demeanor. He's clearly been humbled by the trials and setbacks he's faced in recent years, however many of them have been self-inflicted, and at the very least is more appreciative than he has been in the past about the opportunity to fight in the UFC. At the same time, he still does possess the bravado that made him such a global superstar to begin with.
While there wasn't the typical drama of a McGregor press conference in terms of trash-talking his opponent or the rest of the sport in general, there were several eye-opening moments where McGregor delved into the personal and professional descent that has darkened his reputation throughout the last decade. One of those moments occurred when McGregor's highly-publicized ****** ual ****** ault case was brought up, to which the fighter offered an impassioned plea of innocence.
"I'm an innocent man, and I'll stand for my innocence until the day I go out," McGregor said. "That is still a situation where I fight. There's a reason it didn't go where it went and it went to a civil trial. It is what it is. It stings deep. I continue to fight. I know the truth, and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. I know that anything done in darkness will soon come to light, and I trust in God that it's coming, you best believe it's coming, and I look very very forward to the day."
McGregor also admitted that he fell into the cycle of fame, money and partying that so many athletes and specifically fighters have been affected by. He explained how the establishment of his Irish whiskey brand, Proper Twelve, coincided with his freefall.
However, as McGregor prepares to enter the Octagon for the first time in five years to face Max Holloway on Saturday, there's a noticeable difference in his demeanor. He's clearly been humbled by the trials and setbacks he's faced in recent years, however many of them have been self-inflicted, and at the very least is more appreciative than he has been in the past about the opportunity to fight in the UFC. At the same time, he still does possess the bravado that made him such a global superstar to begin with.
While there wasn't the typical drama of a McGregor press conference in terms of trash-talking his opponent or the rest of the sport in general, there were several eye-opening moments where McGregor delved into the personal and professional descent that has darkened his reputation throughout the last decade. One of those moments occurred when McGregor's highly-publicized ****** ual ****** ault case was brought up, to which the fighter offered an impassioned plea of innocence.
"I'm an innocent man, and I'll stand for my innocence until the day I go out," McGregor said. "That is still a situation where I fight. There's a reason it didn't go where it went and it went to a civil trial. It is what it is. It stings deep. I continue to fight. I know the truth, and I know that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. I know that anything done in darkness will soon come to light, and I trust in God that it's coming, you best believe it's coming, and I look very very forward to the day."
McGregor also admitted that he fell into the cycle of fame, money and partying that so many athletes and specifically fighters have been affected by. He explained how the establishment of his Irish whiskey brand, Proper Twelve, coincided with his freefall.
2 months ago
When college athletes suffer fatalities due to activities conducted during practice—and often pre-existing conditions—coaches are almost never criminally charged. But thanks to a new lawsuit brought by Pennsylvania’s attorney general, that could change.
On Monday, Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday charged former Bucknell football strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis following the death of Bucknell football player CJ ******* ey Jr. in 2024 following a summer workout where he collapsed. Kulbis, who maintains his innocence, faces felony aggravated hazing, as well as misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing.
The fact that the charges are criminal makes the case rare, multiple industry experts and attorneys tell Front Office Sports. Regardless of its outcome, the case could have wide-ranging effects on the college coaching landscape, forcing more scrutiny of practice activities and coaching conduct.
“We’re seeing the tide shift in terms of general public awareness about hazing,” Elizabeth Allan, principal of StopHazing and director of the Hazing Prevention Research Lab at the University of Maine, told FOS. “I feel this is potentially an indication of some larger shifts in the culture.”
On July 10, 2024, ******* ey, along with other Bucknell freshmen football players, suited up for their first practice led by Kublis, who had previously spent time on the coaching staffs at Dartmouth, Ohio State, and Austin Peay.
On Monday, Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday charged former Bucknell football strength and conditioning coach Mark Kulbis following the death of Bucknell football player CJ ******* ey Jr. in 2024 following a summer workout where he collapsed. Kulbis, who maintains his innocence, faces felony aggravated hazing, as well as misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and hazing.
The fact that the charges are criminal makes the case rare, multiple industry experts and attorneys tell Front Office Sports. Regardless of its outcome, the case could have wide-ranging effects on the college coaching landscape, forcing more scrutiny of practice activities and coaching conduct.
“We’re seeing the tide shift in terms of general public awareness about hazing,” Elizabeth Allan, principal of StopHazing and director of the Hazing Prevention Research Lab at the University of Maine, told FOS. “I feel this is potentially an indication of some larger shifts in the culture.”
On July 10, 2024, ******* ey, along with other Bucknell freshmen football players, suited up for their first practice led by Kublis, who had previously spent time on the coaching staffs at Dartmouth, Ohio State, and Austin Peay.
2 months ago
Former Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold has officially entered free agency.
According to ESPN, Arnold cleared waivers on Monday, meaning no NFL team claimed his contract following his release by the Lions last week. He is now free to sign with any team interested in adding him to its roster.
Despite his ongoing legal case in Florida, ESPN reports that multiple NFL teams have previously expressed interest in Arnold, and he is expected to visit interested clubs as he looks to continue his professional career.
The Lions released the former first-round pick shortly after a Florida judge denied prosecutors’ request to hold him without bond. Arnold was released from custody after posting $1 million bond and must comply with several conditions while his case proceeds, including remaining at his residence in Tallahassee except for approved travel related to NFL employment, court appearances, or legal appointments. He has also surrendered his passport and is prohibited from contacting co-defendants or witnesses in the case.
Arnold, 23, continues to maintain his innocence after being charged with multiple felony counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Prosecutors allege he helped orchestrate a plot targeting three men he believed had stolen cash and luxury items from an Airbnb he had rented in the Tampa area.
According to ESPN, Arnold cleared waivers on Monday, meaning no NFL team claimed his contract following his release by the Lions last week. He is now free to sign with any team interested in adding him to its roster.
Despite his ongoing legal case in Florida, ESPN reports that multiple NFL teams have previously expressed interest in Arnold, and he is expected to visit interested clubs as he looks to continue his professional career.
The Lions released the former first-round pick shortly after a Florida judge denied prosecutors’ request to hold him without bond. Arnold was released from custody after posting $1 million bond and must comply with several conditions while his case proceeds, including remaining at his residence in Tallahassee except for approved travel related to NFL employment, court appearances, or legal appointments. He has also surrendered his passport and is prohibited from contacting co-defendants or witnesses in the case.
Arnold, 23, continues to maintain his innocence after being charged with multiple felony counts, including armed robbery and kidnapping. Prosecutors allege he helped orchestrate a plot targeting three men he believed had stolen cash and luxury items from an Airbnb he had rented in the Tampa area.
2 months ago
If you grew up watching movies and TV in the 1990s, it was nearly impossible not to develop a crush on the starlets who lit up both the big and small screen. These talented actresses captured the era's zeitgeist, graced magazine covers, and brought unforgettable characters to life, earning places in pop culture history. Take a walk down memory lane as In Touch highlights the iconic women who stole everyone's hearts, then and now.
Denise Richards' blend of classic beauty and bold attitude made her a standout in unforgettable roles. Her performances in both films and television delighted audiences and left a mark on the entertainment landscape of the 90s. Her most recognized roles include Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers (1997), Kelly Van Ryan in Wild Things (1998), and Bond girl Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Whether portraying the sultry siren or the girl next door, she embodied the wild energy of the decade.
Winona Ryder exuded a magnetic presence, bringing complexity and quirk to every role. She garnered critical acclaim and two consecutive Academy Award nominations for her portrayals in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Little Women (1994). With a filmography filled with fan favorites and cult classics — from Dracula to Reality Bites — she became a symbol of the era's alternative spirit. Her offbeat sensibility and striking looks made her a muse for a generation enchanted by the unconventional.
Courteney ****** 's witty charm and comedic timing made her a household name, especially among fans of her favorite sitcoms each week. She gained international recognition for her starring role as Monica Geller in the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004) and later as ambitious journalist Gale Weathers in 1996's Scream. Beyond her sharp sense of humor, her grounded, relatable persona resonated with millions.
With her luminous smile and contagious energy, Cameron Diaz was everyone's crush in the era of big-budget blockbusters and romantic comedies. Before landing her role in The Mask (1994), she had no prior acting experience, yet the film became a massive hit, grossing over $350 million worldwide, according to Screen Rant. She brought a refreshing blend of fun and fearlessness to each project, capturing hearts around the world. Her effortless style and comedic chops made her a pop culture icon of her time.
Denise Richards' blend of classic beauty and bold attitude made her a standout in unforgettable roles. Her performances in both films and television delighted audiences and left a mark on the entertainment landscape of the 90s. Her most recognized roles include Carmen Ibanez in Starship Troopers (1997), Kelly Van Ryan in Wild Things (1998), and Bond girl Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Whether portraying the sultry siren or the girl next door, she embodied the wild energy of the decade.
Winona Ryder exuded a magnetic presence, bringing complexity and quirk to every role. She garnered critical acclaim and two consecutive Academy Award nominations for her portrayals in The Age of Innocence (1993) and Little Women (1994). With a filmography filled with fan favorites and cult classics — from Dracula to Reality Bites — she became a symbol of the era's alternative spirit. Her offbeat sensibility and striking looks made her a muse for a generation enchanted by the unconventional.
Courteney ****** 's witty charm and comedic timing made her a household name, especially among fans of her favorite sitcoms each week. She gained international recognition for her starring role as Monica Geller in the NBC sitcom Friends (1994–2004) and later as ambitious journalist Gale Weathers in 1996's Scream. Beyond her sharp sense of humor, her grounded, relatable persona resonated with millions.
With her luminous smile and contagious energy, Cameron Diaz was everyone's crush in the era of big-budget blockbusters and romantic comedies. Before landing her role in The Mask (1994), she had no prior acting experience, yet the film became a massive hit, grossing over $350 million worldwide, according to Screen Rant. She brought a refreshing blend of fun and fearlessness to each project, capturing hearts around the world. Her effortless style and comedic chops made her a pop culture icon of her time.
3 months ago
Timothy Busfield has filed a motion to dismiss the grand jury indictment in his child ****** abuse case.
The 69-year-old actor was indicted on four counts of criminal ****** ual contact of a minor (child under 13) by a grand jury in New Mexico in February, and he subsequently pleaded not guilty to all four counts days later.
His legal team filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on Thursday, arguing that the prosecution did not present a fair and impartial case to the grand jury.
"Timothy Busfield is innocent," his civil attorney, Larry Stein, said in a statement to People. "This motion describes egregious prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings, thereby preventing the jurors from hearing testimony, witnesses and evidence even after repeated requests by the grand jury itself."
Stein continued, "The government repressed and suppressed exculpatory evidence, misstated the law and failed in the most basic due process afforded any person under either Constitutional or State laws designed to protect actual innocence from abuse of government power."
In January, The West Wing actor was accused of inappropriately touching two boys while he was directing them on the set of the TV show The Cleaning Lady in New Mexico between late 2022 and early 2024.
The 69-year-old actor was indicted on four counts of criminal ****** ual contact of a minor (child under 13) by a grand jury in New Mexico in February, and he subsequently pleaded not guilty to all four counts days later.
His legal team filed a motion to dismiss the indictment on Thursday, arguing that the prosecution did not present a fair and impartial case to the grand jury.
"Timothy Busfield is innocent," his civil attorney, Larry Stein, said in a statement to People. "This motion describes egregious prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings, thereby preventing the jurors from hearing testimony, witnesses and evidence even after repeated requests by the grand jury itself."
Stein continued, "The government repressed and suppressed exculpatory evidence, misstated the law and failed in the most basic due process afforded any person under either Constitutional or State laws designed to protect actual innocence from abuse of government power."
In January, The West Wing actor was accused of inappropriately touching two boys while he was directing them on the set of the TV show The Cleaning Lady in New Mexico between late 2022 and early 2024.
3 months ago
We are less than a month away from the most delightful, awe-inspiring, low-stakes, good-natured event on the baseball calendar: the Home Run Derby.
This year, MLB’s smorgasbord of big flies will take place July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, home to the 2026 All-Star festivities. Unfortunately, last year’s dinger champ, Cal Raleigh, likely won’t be around to defend his ****** le, as the Mariners’ catcher has endured an injury-riddled first half.
As of this moment, none of the eight Derby contenders has been announced, so let’s take this opportunity to craft ourselves a dream field. A good Derby needs diversity: righties and lefties, moon shots and laserbeams, heroes and heels, youngsters and geezers, innocence and experience. Something for everybody, everybody for somebody.
To be clear, the following octet is an unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky hope. Some of these sluggers will forgo participation due to injury, fear of injury or, in Shohei Ohtani’s case, the pursuit of a Cy Young.
But let’s at least dream about the world we want to live in.
This year, MLB’s smorgasbord of big flies will take place July 13 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, home to the 2026 All-Star festivities. Unfortunately, last year’s dinger champ, Cal Raleigh, likely won’t be around to defend his ****** le, as the Mariners’ catcher has endured an injury-riddled first half.
As of this moment, none of the eight Derby contenders has been announced, so let’s take this opportunity to craft ourselves a dream field. A good Derby needs diversity: righties and lefties, moon shots and laserbeams, heroes and heels, youngsters and geezers, innocence and experience. Something for everybody, everybody for somebody.
To be clear, the following octet is an unrealistic, pie-in-the-sky hope. Some of these sluggers will forgo participation due to injury, fear of injury or, in Shohei Ohtani’s case, the pursuit of a Cy Young.
But let’s at least dream about the world we want to live in.
3 months ago
Notorious killer Mackenzie Shirilla — who was found guilty of murdering two pals in 2022 by slamming a speeding car into a brick wall in Ohio — is gleeful over the newfound attention to her case and hopes reality star and criminal justice advocate Kim Kardashian may help get her sprung from the slammer, sources say.
According to insiders, Shirilla, 21, is thrilled over being thrust back into the spotlight by the Netflix documentary The Crash, which examines the tragic deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend Davion Flanagan, 19, and her ensuing prosecution.
"Mackenzie is totally buzzing that there's so much interest in her case. She and her parents are convinced they'll get through this and come out strong — not to mention rich and famous," an insider says.
Shirilla and her mother, Natalie, shared a prison phone call in which the jailbird, who was sentenced to 15 years to life, sounded elated over her claims of innocence becoming "national news," according to Daily Mail.
Prosecutors say the then 17-year-old driver purposely gunned the gas and hit the wall at nearly 100 mph, killing her two passengers. Shirilla has insisted a medical emergency is to blame and that she would have never intentionally hurt the two men. "I have no recollection of that morning. I'm not saying I'm innocent," she explains in the doc, per Oxygen. "I was a driver of a tragedy, but I'm not a murderer."
According to insiders, Shirilla, 21, is thrilled over being thrust back into the spotlight by the Netflix documentary The Crash, which examines the tragic deaths of her boyfriend, Dominic Russo, 20, and their friend Davion Flanagan, 19, and her ensuing prosecution.
"Mackenzie is totally buzzing that there's so much interest in her case. She and her parents are convinced they'll get through this and come out strong — not to mention rich and famous," an insider says.
Shirilla and her mother, Natalie, shared a prison phone call in which the jailbird, who was sentenced to 15 years to life, sounded elated over her claims of innocence becoming "national news," according to Daily Mail.
Prosecutors say the then 17-year-old driver purposely gunned the gas and hit the wall at nearly 100 mph, killing her two passengers. Shirilla has insisted a medical emergency is to blame and that she would have never intentionally hurt the two men. "I have no recollection of that morning. I'm not saying I'm innocent," she explains in the doc, per Oxygen. "I was a driver of a tragedy, but I'm not a murderer."
6 months ago
N.Y. man who spent 19 years in prison after buying mom a stove with stolen money order is freed
A New York man was freed from prison Monday after having spent nearly two decades behind bars for a robbery he didn't commit.
Kenneth Windley was linked to the 2005 crime after he bought his mother a stove with a money order that he didn't know was stolen. Windley, 61, was convicted of second-degree robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. A Brooklyn judge tossed his conviction after prosecutors re-examined his claims of innocence and concluded that he wasn’t involved in the crime.
A New York man was freed from prison Monday after having spent nearly two decades behind bars for a robbery he didn't commit.
Kenneth Windley was linked to the 2005 crime after he bought his mother a stove with a money order that he didn't know was stolen. Windley, 61, was convicted of second-degree robbery and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. A Brooklyn judge tossed his conviction after prosecutors re-examined his claims of innocence and concluded that he wasn’t involved in the crime.
