This Might Be an Example of a Sore Loser

by Eric Horowitz, ShakedownSports

Last season Sheffield United finished 18th in the 20 team English Premier League, a poor enough performance to get them relegated. Facing a possible loss of $60 to $100 million due to the demotion, Sheffield United plans to do the only thing a team in their situation can do. They're going to sue West Ham United, the team most responsible for their relegation.

The lawsuit stems from West Ham's illegal signing of striker Carlos Tevez. Although the team broke numerous rules in signing the Argentinian star, the EPL decided to fine them nearly $11 million instead of docking them points in the standings. Without a penalty in the standings West Ham was able to avoid relegation with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United on the last day of the season. (Oh by the way, Tevez scored the game's only goal.) The victory meant that Sheffield United would be relegated instead of West Ham, and it paved the way for a future between the two teams in the courtroom.

It really makes you wonder what would happen if NCAA teams acted like Sheffield United. Can you imagine LSU suing Alabama because the NCAA didn't hand down a strict enough penalty for recruiting violations? There's no doubt hilarity would ensue as college football became overrun with frivolous lawsuits.