The Supreme Court Rules on NCAA Athlete Compensation

 

The Supreme Court Rules on NCAA Athlete Compensation

In the United States, college athletes go through rigorous training and other demands for no pay. The NCAA is the organization that oversees college athletics and makes/enforces the rules for the players. In a recent US Supreme Court Ruling, the court unanimously ruled against the NCAA on their rule that prohibited college athletes from receiving modest, education-related compensation, payments, or benefits.

This ruling does not mean that student-athletes can now get paid a salary, but schools can now offer student-athletes certain benefits such as scholarships for graduate school, computer equipment, access to paid internships, study abroad opportunities, and more. The plaintiffs argued that the NCAA violated antitrust laws by restricting athletes from receiving fair-market compensation for their work.

The at the NCAA argued that the athletes are amateurs and that compensating student-athletes would blur the line between college and professional sports, affecting the demand for college sports. The court ruled that these NCAA rules are not necessary to differentiate college and professional sports.

The Court’s Ruling

Justice Neil Gorsuch, the author of this Supreme Court opinion, stated that the NCAA “seeks immunity from the normal operation of the antitrust laws”.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote a separate concurring opinion on the matter. Justice Kavanaugh is an avid sports fan who coaches his daughter’s basketball team and once tried out for the Yale basketball team, so he seems to be quite passionate about the matter. In his article, he wrote that “Nowhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair market rate on a theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate”. He also added that “The NCAA is not above the law.”

The ruling was on a fairly narrow question but could open the doors to a much larger ruling down the road involving non-academic compensation to athletes.

Another massive change that will benefit student-athletes is coming on July 1st. At least six states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas) will pass laws that will allow college athletes to make money from their name, image, and likeness. This will allow players to do things like sign endorsement deals, participate in paid promotions on social media, sell autographs, and more. The NCAA is also trying to come up with their own rules which will allow college athletes to make money off of their name, image, or likeness.

This is potentially a groundbreaking ruling for college sports and could change the landscape of recruiting and where athletes decide to attend college.

Read our blog for more updates on topics regarding international business, law, and more!

If you would like to speak with one of our attorneys, contact us!

Update Regarding International Travel

 

Update Regarding International Travel

           As the United States moves closer to lifting the travel ban and with many individuals hoping to begin traveling in and out of the country, it is crucial to remain up-to-date with the newest policies and regulations regarding visas. Staying informed about this ever-changing information will allow individuals to travel internationally to avoid encountering unforeseen problems that may hinder one’s plans. 

           Many speculate that within the year 2021, international travel to and from the United States will once again return to what we may remember as “normal.” However, given that combating the spread of COVID-19 is still a prominent issue, this version of “normal” may still seem relatively different. There are still a few noteworthy changes to keep an eye out for when planning for travel.202

Traveling to the United States

           Moving forward, when the travel ban in the United States is officially lifted, individuals traveling from countries that are currently under a Covid-19-related travel ban will no longer be required to obtain special, advance permission to enter the United States, such as a National Interest Exception. Additionally, demonstrating a basis for a travel ban exemption, such as being a spouse of a U.S. citizen, or being a parent of a minor child U.S. citizen, will no longer be required at that time.

            While many changes in travel policies are presumed to occur in the upcoming months, it is important to remember that United States embassies and consulates will continue to exercise caution about a return to “normal”. That being said, these embassies and consulates are currently addressing many, many requests for emergency appointments for individuals to obtain necessary visas. Unfortunately, given the nature of the pandemic and the influx of such requests, the majority of these emergency appointment requests are denied. However, making a general visa appointment at an embassy or consulate may be easier following the initial lowering of restrictions and the “re-opening” of regular or more regular consular processing. Currently, general visa interview appointments at many consular posts are scheduled for months from now – meaning visa renewal in the current environment and foreseeable future will be a challenge. Please plan far ahead if you plan to travel outside the United States to obtain a new visa or renew an expiring visa.

Re-entering the United States

           Regarding the United States’ policies about re-entry, much is still unknown and, more so, subject to change. The United States may require COVID-19 vaccination when returning to the country after international travel. Further, a negative COVID-19 test continues to be required for all individuals 2 years of age or older who are re-entering the country. 

           The impact COVID-19 has had on international travel is obvious, and because of the fact that some of these policies are more than likely to change in the upcoming weeks and months, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in travel requirements. 

           If you have questions regarding your immigration status or how to obtain or renew a visa, do not hesitate to contact our firm.

 

Updates to Approved NIE Categories

Making it Easier for Business Travelers to Enter the United States

The Department of State has recently announced new categories of travel for potential National Interest Exception (NIE) approval in relation to Covid-19-related travel restrictions. This update may allow for more people to enter the United States if they meet the criteria addressed in this article.

On March 2, 2021, the Secretary of State revised eligibility for the NIE program, making it considerably more restrictive than previously – and largely eliminating business travel as a category of travel eligible for NIE consideration.

New NIE Updates

The new guidance released on June 4, 2021, builds upon the March 2 policy change by granting new eligibility to those traveling to the U.S. to provide vital support or executive direction for critical infrastructure or significant economic activity.

Critical Infrastructure

The Department of Homeland Security defines these sectors as critical infrastructure:

Chemical, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense industrial bases, emergency services, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, healthcare and public health, information technology, nuclear reactors, transportation, and water/wastewater systems.

Significant Economic Activity 

The Department of State defines significant economic activity in the United States as:

• Travel to support a large entertainment production conducted in the United States that would not go on without the traveler.

• Travel by highly specialized professionals or experts to install, service, maintain or receive the necessary training for vessels, machinery, and other critical equipment required by U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States.

• Travel by executives and senior-level employees providing strategy and direction to the U.S. and foreign firms with a substantial investment in the United States.

What Does This Mean for Me?

NIEs are still approved on a case-by-case basis, but this recent update has relaxed NIE requirements from the March 2 policy update to an extent, thereby making it easier for high-level business travelers and E-2 visa holders to get approved.

The NIE remains only valid for 30 days and is a one-time entry to the United States and must be applied for and approved every time you wish to enter the country.

If you would like to apply for an NIE, contact our Charlotte office’s immigration team!

Get more US travel updates here.

Teilnahme an den Bundestagswahlen im Ausland

 

Teilnahme an den Bundestagswahlen im Ausland

Im Ausland lebende deutsche Staatsbürger, die nicht zur Stimmabgabe in Deutschland registriert sind, werden nicht automatisch in das Wählerverzeichnis eingetragen. Wenn Sie bei den Bundestagswahlen 2021 wählen möchten, aber im Ausland leben, müssen Sie vor jeder Wahl einen schriftlichen Antrag auf Aufnahme in das Wählerverzeichnis stellen.

Der Antrag muss vom Antragsteller ausgedruckt und von Hand unterschrieben werden. Die Originalkopie des Antrags muss an die Gemeinde gesendet werden, in der Sie zuletzt gelebt haben, bevor Sie Deutschland verlassen haben.

Wenn Sie mindestens drei Monate nicht in Deutschland gelebt haben, muss der Antrag bei der Gemeinde eingereicht werden, mit der Sie am meisten verbunden sind (wahrscheinlich woher Ihre Familie stammt). Die Adressen der einzelnen Gemeinden finden Sie hier.

Um offiziell für das Wählerverzeichnis registriert zu werden, muss der Antrag spätestens 21 Tage vor der Wahl bei der deutschen Gemeinde eingehen. Dies ist eine strenge Frist und wird nicht verlängert.

Bundestagswahl 2021: 26. September 2021.

Frist für den Eingang Ihrer Bewerbung bei der deutschen Gemeinde: 5. September 2021.

Den Antrag auf Registrierung des Wählerverzeichnisses finden Sie hier.

Unser Rat

Wenn Sie abstimmen möchten, empfehlen wir Ihnen, Ihre Bewerbung so bald wie möglich einzureichen (je eher, desto besser!)

Warten Sie nicht bis zum 5. September 2021, um Ihre Bewerbung einzureichen. Sie müssen auch die Zeit berücksichtigen, die der Antrag benötigt, um nach Deutschland mit der Post geliefert zu werden. Registrieren Sie sich so schnell wie möglich, um sicherzustellen, dass Sie die Möglichkeit haben, zu wählen.

Sind Sie wahlberechtigt?

Um wahlberechtigt zu sein, müssen Sie im Alter von 14 Jahren oder älter mindestens drei aufeinanderfolgende Monate in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland gelebt haben. Dieser Aufenthalt muss innerhalb der letzten 25 Jahre stattgefunden haben.

Oder

Wenn Sie sich aus anderen Gründen persönlich und direkt mit der politischen Situation Deutschlands vertraut gemacht haben und von dieser politischen Situation betroffen sind.

Dies kann schwierig zu bestimmen sein und es bleibt den einzelnen Gemeinden überlassen, zu entscheiden, ob jemand wahlberechtigt ist oder nicht. Ein Beispiel dafür, wie jemand wahlberechtigt sein könnte, ist, wenn er regelmäßig zur Arbeit nach Deutschland pendelt, weil beispielsweise eine Beschäftigung für eine amerikanische Tochtergesellschaft erfolgt. Dies ist nur ein mögliches Beispiel, es gibt hier keine gesicherte Rechtsprechung und dient daher nur der Erläuterung.  In jedem Fall obliegt die Entscheidung liegt bei Ihrer Gemeinde.

Sehr gerne beraten wir bei der Gestaltung der entsprechenden Dokumentation, für den Fall, dass Sie länger als 25 Jahre nicht in Deutschland gelebt haben.

Lesen Sie hier mehr.