Athletes for Freedom Foundation

Professional soccer fails to meet safety standards and violates legal frameworks. MANCHESTER, England, Nov. 20 – Professional soccer is failing to meet required safety standards, violating legal frameworks at European and global levels, according to a report by Belgium's KU Leuven University. Commissioned by FIFPRO, the global soccer players’ union, the study will support a joint complaint to European antitrust regulators filed by FIFPRO Europe, European Leagues, and LaLiga. The complaint accuses FIFA of decisions detrimental to player wellbeing, particularly concerning the expanded global soccer calendar. Expanded Calendar Raises Concerns Criticism centers on FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, set to grow from seven to 32 teams in 2025. The schedule leaves minimal recovery time for players, intensifying fatigue and injury risks.

The NFL has announced that Beyoncé will perform during the Christmas Day halftime show for the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens game. While fans of the music icon celebrated the news, the reaction from many football enthusiasts has been lukewarm.   Beyoncé’s global star power is undeniable, but some fans expressed doubts about the choice. “Nahhhh, nobody wants this,” commented one user on social media. Another dismissed the announcement with a blunt “Hard pass.”   The criticism wasn’t solely about the performance itself. Some alluded to Beyoncé’s past political endorsements, questioning whether the halftime show might include more than music. One commenter asked, “Is she singing or making a speech?” referencing her previous campaigning for Kamala Harris. 

On Nov. 15, Major League Baseball’s players union reached a settlement in a lawsuit against sports betting giant FanDuel (FLTRF.L), which was accused of using the names and likenesses of hundreds of MLB players on its platform without authorization.   The lawsuit, filed in September, claimed FanDuel "flagrantly" violated the rights of nearly every active MLB player by utilizing their names, images, and likenesses without proper licensing. According to a New York federal court filing, the players have now agreed to dismiss the claims with prejudice, preventing them from being refiled. As part of the settlement, FanDuel and the union entered into a confidential licensing agreement.   “For professional athletes, the ability to control the commercial use of their names, images, and likenesses is a crucial return on their substantial career investment,” the players ...