SPAIN - PORTUGAL JOINT CANDIDACY FOR THE 2018 WORLD CUP?

The next World Cup will be in South Africa 2010, the following will beBrazil 2014, & 2018? The solicitations are open & a possible SPAIN- PORTUGAL candidacy is on the table.The idea is gaining widespread support from key decision makers at FIFA.Not only does it give the proyect an IBERIAN PENINSULA flavour, but it reduces enormously the costs associated with celebrating the Final. Portugalalready

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008: VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS CELTIC - FC BARCELONA & FENERBAHCE - FC SEVILLA

Just in case you missed the games last night.

Ohio Supreme Court Won't Hear Former Coach O'Brien's Case

The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear the Ohio State University's appeal of a verdict in favor of former coach Jim O'Brien. For previous coverage of this dispute, see Rick's posts here and here.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008: SEVILLA FC LOSE & FC BARCELONA WIN

Two Spanish teams played tonight in Champions League with mixedresults, Sevilla lost but are still alive with the return game to be played, & FC Barcelona won & managed to take a huge step towardsthe Q/Finals.The home side FENERBAHCE won 3-2 against SEVILLA FC in aclassical European clash of end to end stuff. The Turks started wellthanks to the header & goal from ex-Atletico de Madrid Serb

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2008 - VIDEO HIGHLIGHT ROMA - REAL MARDID AWAY GAME

Full highlights of yesterdays ROMA 2 - REAL MADRID 1 awaymatch.

State Law Barrier to the Marlins New Stadium?

Marc Edelman, a guest here and now the perma-sports-blogger at the always-entertaining Above the Law, yesterday wrote that the new deal among the Florida Marlins, the City of Miami, and Miami-Dade County to build a ballpark for the Marlins might violate the Florida Constitution. (H/T: My FIU colleague Thomas Baker).

Marc focuses on two provisions: one of which prohibits state and local governments from becoming a joint owner or from using the tax power to aid any person or private entity, the other which requires that local governments may levy taxes only for "municipal purposes" (and a 1966 Supreme Court of Florida decision holds that building a sports stadium is not a municipal purpose). This rule generally is ignored, as evidence by the many municipalities that build facilities--permanent and spring training--for teams. As Marc notes, Miami fans (and non-fans) do not like Jeffrey Loria, so if there is anyone who might prompt anti-stadium litigation, it would be him.

The more interesting question will be whether Field of Dreams holds true for Miami. Will a domed stadium and hopefully an owner now willing to spend some money once the park is in place, enable the team to draw fans? Even if a World Championship just five years ago did not? Stay tuned. And real the whole of Marc's post--a very good read.

'Tis the Weekend: University of Miami Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium

If you are not in Philadelphia or Tallahassee (coincidentally, the two cities in which I lived before I hit Miami), come to Miami (Coral Gables, actually) for the University of Miami Entertainment and Sports Law Symposium, also on Saturday.

I will be on a panel titled "Balancing Justice within Anti-Doping Regulation: Equality of Competition v. Protection of Individual Rights," along with Dennis Curran, General Counsel of the NFL; Anthony J. Agnone of Eastern Athletic Services; and Matthew S. Barnett, outside counsel to USADA. There also is a panel on the Rooney Rule, which should be interesting in light of the NCAA's recent adoption of a similar rule for football.