Brian Kappel Presents on the Rapidly Changing Legal Landscape of College Athletics at ADLA Annual Meeting

June 24, 2026

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC partner Brian P. Kappel recently presented “College Sports Chaos: The CSC, the NCAA, and What’s Next for Your Favorite Team” at the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA) Annual Meeting on June 8, 2026.

Kappel’s presentation examined the legal and regulatory developments that continue to reshape college athletics, tracing the evolution of athlete compensation and NCAA governance from the landmark O’Bannon v. NCAA and NCAA v. Alston decisions to the sweeping House v. NCAA settlement.

The program explored the rise of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights, including Alabama’s HB404, and the implications of the newly created College Sports Commission (CSC). Kappel discussed the CSC’s role in NIL oversight, its relationship with Deloitte’s NIL Go platform and the challenges the organization has already encountered, including questions surrounding staffing, authority and legal challenges.

Kappel also reviewed the growing number of NCAA eligibility lawsuits filed since late 2024, developments in gambling-related enforcement matters and the ongoing debate in Congress over proposed federal legislation, including the SCORE Act and the Protect College Sports Act.

The presentation provided attendees with a practical overview of the complex legal, regulatory and business issues influencing the future of college sports.

Kappel advises colleges, universities, coaches, administrators and student-athletes on a wide range of sports law matters, including NCAA compliance investigations, eligibility disputes, NIL issues and regulatory matters involving Title IX, FERPA and the ADA. Drawing on his experience as a former Academic All-American baseball player at Princeton and Minor League pitcher, he regularly counsels clients navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics.