Gregg Clifton Joins “Conduct Detrimental” Podcast to Discuss Current Sports Events

Phoenix, Ariz. (January 30, 2023) - Phoenix Partner Gregg E. Clifton recently joined "Conduct Detrimental: THE Sports Law Podcast" to discuss various issues - legal and otherwise - that have emerged recently in the sports world.

During the podcast, hosted by sports law attorneys Dan Wallach and Dan Lust, Mr. Clifton first discussed the NFL’s swift response when Buffalo Bills' safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest. Noting that the NFL deserves “kudos,” he commented, “I think we saw . . . how quickly the response was from informed people. They knew exactly what to do and they knew exactly what was going on, which probably wound up saving his life, considering how quickly they responded.”

Next, Mr. Clifton addressed certain elements of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors’ Transformation Report, including the potential expansion of the NCAA and other tournaments, additional medical protections for student athletes, and growing the student athlete voice. He explained that name, image, and likeness (NIL) issues concerning student athletes notably were “put to the side,” with the Board indicating that it had no authority to issue recommendations in this area. Moreover, Mr. Clifton described that the new head of the NCAA, Charlie Baker, is “exactly what the NCAA needs” because he has the ability to “convince some of these legislators to be more bipartisan. . . .” Mr. Clifton also touched upon the NLRB’s recent actions with respect to student athletes, observing that they do not seem interested in unionizing because they can earn income through NIL activities.

For the duration of the podcast, Mr. Clifton spoke about other issues, including the deal between Carlos Correa and the Mets as well as the alleged domestic incidents concerning U.S. Men's National Soccer team head coach Gregg Berhalter and the UFC’s Dana White.

Mr. Clifton, who previously participated in a “Conduct Detrimental” podcast shortly after joining Lewis Brisbois last year, is a member of the firm’s Entertainment, Media & Sports and Labor & Employment Practices. He has extensive experience in the collegiate and professional sports world and has advised numerous professional franchises on a range of labor and employment issues, including Title III ADA regulatory compliance and wage and hour issues. Mr. Clifton is also an editor of The Official Review, Lewis Brisbois’ sports law blog.

You can listen to the full “Conduct Detrimental” episode here.