For more information, please contact:
Gwen Osborne, director of public affairs, (312) 906-5251
ADVISORY TO PRODUCERS, COLUMNISTS AND ASSIGNMENT, LEGAL, PLANNING, BUSINESS, POLITICAL, SPORTS, CITY DESK, FEATURES AND DAYBOOK EDITORS
CHICAGO–July 30, 2007–Chicago-Kent College of Law and Stuart School of Business have experts available to discuss current issues. To reach any of our experts, call Gwen Osborne, director of public affairs, at (312) 906-5251. Press releases and earlier advisories are available on our Web site: www.kentlaw.edu/news/advisory.
San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds is fast approaching Hank Aaron’s 755-home run record. However, Bonds’ pursuit of the record has been overshadowed by allegations of steroid use, which he repeatedly has denied. Several investigations are underway. Adjunct professor and sports attorney Eldon L. Ham says that if it can be proven that Bonds willingly used steroids, Major League Baseball "should qualify his records accordingly. But short of that, baseball at least should give Roger Maris and Hank Aaron a real asterisk, designating them as ‘…the last home run recordholders in the pre-steroid era.’" Professor Ham, the author of Larceny & Old Leather: The Mischievous Legacy of Major League Baseball, is available for interviews. Chicago-Kent professor and die-hard baseball fan David Rudstein is also available for interviews.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick stands to lose nearly $10 million in endorsements following his indictment by a grand jury on federal dogfighting charges. Calling the allegations against Vick “too disturbing to ignore,” Reebok has -- for the first time ever -- halted the sale of products associated with an athlete due to his or her behavior. The National Football League has banned Vick from training camp and has removed his items from its online store, NFLShop.com. Sports trading card companies Upper Deck and Donruss announced they will remove Vick’s cards from any new packs, and Upper Deck has stopped selling memorabilia autographed by the athlete. While Nike Inc. has not terminated its relationship with Vick, the company has suspended the quarterback’s contract without pay and has pulled Vick-related merchandise from its company-owned stores. Following Nike’s action, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called off its plans to picket Niketown stores. However, the Humane Society of the United States is pressing Nike to cancel Vick’s endorsement deal. Vick has pleaded “not guilty,” and his trial is scheduled to begin November 26. Stuart School of Business professor Joel Goldhar, an expert on branding issues, is available for interviews.
Unsportsmanlike conduct. Michael Vick and Barry Bonds aren’t the only sports figures whose actions have been called into question. This year’s Tour de France, cycling’s premier event, has been marred by a doping scandal. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy is under federal investigation for cheating. NASCAR’s bad boy Tony Stewart may be reprimanded for his use of foul language on live TV after he won the Allstate 400. Why are so many sports professionals misbehaving and what can be done about it? Sports attorney and adjunct professor Eldon Ham is available for interviews.
“Operation Family Secrets.” The trial of Joseph “Joey the Clown” Lombardo, James Marcello, Frank Calabrese Sr. and two others continues. Professors Douglas W. Godfrey and Richard S. Kling are available for interviews. Professor Godfrey is a former prosecutor in the Kings County (New York) District Attorney's Office, where he served in the sex crimes and homicide bureaus. Professor Kling is a criminal defense attorney who teaches evidence and forensic sciences.
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