Goldberg Segalla partner Joseph M. Hanna, associate Dustin W. Osborne, and law clerk Thomas Grenke, members of the firm’s Sports and Entertainment practice, wrote an article discussing Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields and the new National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) transfer guidelines.

In “The Transfer of the Offseason: A Justin Fields Saga,” Joe, Dustin, and Tom talk about Fields’ move from the University of Georgia to The Ohio State University that caused an uproar over whether he would be eligible to play quarterback for Ohio State in 2019 or be required to sit out. Topics discussed in the article include the evolution of NCAA transfer guidelines, previous notable college athletic transfers, and the NCAA’s decision behind approving Fields’ waiver.

“Likening the Fields saga to the Shea Patterson, Demetris Robertson, and Antonio Williams success stories, it almost becomes more appropriate for one to ask why the NCAA would not grant Fields’ request. The Patterson transfer was monumental, setting the stage for warranted transfers under the new Transfer Guidelines as a result of actions outside of the student-athlete’s control. Even more telling, then, are the case studies that followed—Robertson was permitted to transfer to be closer to family, while Williams obtained a waiver seemingly to be closer to family and seek additional game-time opportunities.”

Read the full article here:

“The Transfer of the Offseason: A Justin Fields Saga,” New York State Bar Association Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Journal, Fall 2019

More about Goldberg Segalla’s Joseph M. Hanna, Dustin W. Osborne, and Thomas Grenke:

Joseph M. Hanna is a commercial litigator and legal adviser recognized for his work in retail and hospitality. National retail and restaurant chains, global hotel and hospitality enterprises, shopping centers, property owners, and developers rely on Joe to find creative and cost-efficient resolutions to disputes with other parties, to represent them in commercial litigation, and to handle a broad array of legal and business challenges.

Dustin W. Osborne’s practice focuses on the defense of complex workers’ compensation claims. In representing clients in all types of workers’ compensation litigation, Dustin handles matters from their inception through resolution, and, if necessary, on appeal. His background also includes commercial litigation, and he is an emerging authority in sports and entertainment law.

Thomas Grenke is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law in 2019. Since January 2018, Tom has been a law clerk within the Sports and Entertainment practice at Goldberg Segalla, as well as a contributor to the firm’s Sports and Entertainment Law Insider.