Episode #100: Dan Werly Titans’ GC & Launch of ConductDetrimental.com!

07/07/21 • 47 min

Conduct Detrimental: THE Sports Law Podcast

Dan Werly, Tennessee Titans General Counsel and Conduct Detrimental Co-Creator, makes his triumphant return to the show (4:20 - 44:55) to discuss where he’s been for the last few years. He tries to answer the unanswerable question of how someone goes from private practice lawyer, to blogger, to podcast host, to sports lawyer, to General Counsel of both an MLS and NFL Franchise!!??? As Werly discusses, “networking” opens doors but persistence is needed to knock doors down. A masterclass in how to leverage contacts to find the right clients and career to match your personality and interests. Werly explains his dream role: running legal for an NFL franchise.

And the big news... this podcast was created to expand Sports Law and we’re now taking another step in that direction. Today, we launch ConductDetrimental.com to provide a singular-focused Sports Law platform open to anyone and everyone that wants to contribute. Writing is how we got our start and remains a crucial step in your Sports Law portfolio to distinguish yourself in this niche. Our goal is that you’ll get your resume to stand out, foster more connections, and push your career closer to your passion. Sports Law is meant to be fun and we hope this site is an extension of the fun we have on the podcast and social media so that we can continue to grow Sports Law together.

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Dan Wallach (@WallachLegal)

Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)

Mike Lawson (@Mike_SonOf_Law)

Stephanie Weissenburger (@SWeissenburger_)

Tarun Sharma (@TKSharmaLaw)

The Show (@ConDetrimental)

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Dan Wallach (@WallachLegal)

Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)

Mike Lawson (@Mike_SonOf_Law)

Stephanie Weissenburger (@SWeissenburger_)

Tarun Sharma (@TKSharmaLaw)

The Show (@ConDetrimental)

Previous Episode

THE NIL ERA IS HERE!

MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor (5:25 - 46:23) returns to the show to cover the historic changes to the NCAA landscape. As both a lawyer and the longest-tenured D1 Commish (33 years), he’s a fantastic resource to see how Conferences, Athletic Directors, and the NCAA are interpreting the new laws and overhauling their systems to adapt to the NIL Era. We discuss the differing rules at the State & School level, the impact of the Supreme Court decision, what the lawyers could have done differently, the future of agents in the NCAA, the finer points of the impending federal bill, and the Kaplan Equity report dealing with the NCAA’s ongoing gender disparity.

Loaded episode for a historic day— we touch upon EVERYTHING you need to know to guide you through the chaos that is the Wild Wild West.

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Have a question or something you want us to cover next episode? Drop us a DM on Instagram or Twitter:

Dan Wallach (@WallachLegal)

Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)

Mike Lawson (@Mike_SonofTheLaw)

The Show (@ConDetrimental)

Next Episode

Barstool NIL Debate, Trevor Bauer Allegations, Rachel Nichols ESPN Audio

The ROADMAP:

3:10 - Barstool & NIL: Are “Barstool Athletes” breaking state law and/or school rules given Barstool’s ties to the gambling industry? How about if you gave Barstool a picture of you with the school logo and colors but you didn’t have permission from the school? What is being done to educate athletes? Is your eligibility at risk for a violation? As of today, reports are that a staggering 140,000 athletes across D1, D2, and D3 have applied to Barstool. That’s roughly 1/3 of all athletes. However, no one seems to have a clear answer to these questions, leaving open the possibly that more schools - like AIC - will take a stand against Barstool and prohibit any type of partnerships. NIL is a cluster. Be informed.

25:20 - Trevor Bauer Allegations. The accusations against the reigning Cy Young Award Winner are very messy. A woman says — during a consensual sexual encounter with Bauer — that he rendered her unconscious for a period of time and that she did not consent to the actions he performed while she remained unconscious. Bauer’s lawyer meanwhile put out a statement that included the following, “Any allegations that the pair’s encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless...” Still, there are some things you can consent to in a BEDROOM that you cannot consent to in a COURT OF LAW. Where’s the line? How does this compare to Deshaun Watson? We debate the new case against the Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher.

38:00 - Burning Controversy at ESPN HQ. Rachel Nichols was displeased that Maria Taylor was given the job to host the NBA Finals last year over her. She voiced this frustration to a media friend. She did not know, however, that this private conversation in her hotel room was being recorded to ESPN’s servers. This recoding and her controversial perspective would make their way around ESPN before being leaked — by someone — to the New York Times last week. Some speculate the leak was done by Maria Taylor since she's in the middle of a contract negotiation with ESPN but no one knows for sure. A public relations nightmare with multiple people who could sue and even potentially criminal ramifications. We break it down.

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Have a topic you want to write about? ANYONE and EVERYONE can publish for ConductDetrimtental.com. Drop us a DM on Instagram or Twitter:

Dan Wallach (@WallachLegal)

Dan Lust (@SportsLawLust)

Conduct Detrimental (@ConDetrimental)