October 21, 2005
Sports Law Symposium
On the eve of this year’s World Series, the TJSL Sports Law Society and Thomas Jefferson School of Law will host a showing and panel discussion of “Up for Grabs,” an award-winning documentary about the legal quest for Barry Bonds’ record setting 73rd homerun ball that was featured at film festivals across the nation and has won numerous awards.
This Sports Law Symposium on Friday, Oct. 21, will include a screening of the 90-minute feature-length documentary, a reception, and a panel discussion about the movie and the legal issues that developed once the ball entered the stands. EfilmCritic has dubbed the film an “addictively entertaining documentary”.
The so-called “mockumentary” details the custody fight over the infamous homerun ball, spotlighting key players involved, including the embattled litigants who refused to settle, the impassioned eyewitnesses who had contradictory accounts, and the bemused reporters who covered the bizarre, but intriguing case.
Panelists will include “Up for Grabs” director/producer Michael Wranovics, attorney Martin F. Triano who represented Alex Popov (one of two fans who claimed ownership of the ball), nationally recognized memorabilia guru Andy Strasberg, and TJSL Associate Dean Steve Semeraro, who wrote “An Essay on Property Rights in Milestone Homerun Baseballs.” Major League Baseball agent and TJSL adjunct professor Randy Grossman will moderate the panel. The screening of the documentary will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Room 200 of the Courtyard Building, followed by a brief reception and then the panel discussion at 8:00 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but seating is limited. To register, please go to www.tjsl.edu/alumni. For more information, please contact Carrie Leising, Communications Coordinator at 619-297-9700, x1844, or cleising@tjsl.edu. Thomas Jefferson School of Law is located at 2120 San Diego Avenue in Old Town.