James Acho
James Acho, often credited as Jim Acho, is an American attorney, and sports law professor. Acho is a frequent guest on sports talk radio shows on a national level, and in the Detroit area. Acho is cited on air and in print as an authority on labor issues as applied to professional and collegiate sports unions and leagues.
Biography
Acho has been publicly credited by numerous retired NFL and MLB players for improved benefits and has represented current and retired players in litigation. Acho is a professor of sports law at Madonna University.
In January, 2015 Acho announced he'd accepted the nomination of retired NFL players to run for NFL Players Association Executive Director. Acho lost the election to incumbent NFLPA Chief DeMaurice Smith. In 2019 and 2020, Acho made national news when he won the NFL concussion cases on behalf Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and broadcast legend Pat Summerall.
General references
1. "Jim Acho interview on KMOX St. Louis re: Flores lawsuit v. NFL. February, 2022"—Audacy
2. "Harvard Journal of Sports & Entertainment Interview with Jim Acho, January 2020"—Harvard Journal
3. "Acho: NFL locker rooms are petri dishes"—New York Times
4. "NFL stalls on payouts to players"—New York Times
5. "Michigan attorney eyes NFLPA's top job"—Sports Illustrated
6. "Concussion lawsuit filed by legendary broadcaster Pat Summerall"—Ft. Worth Star Telegram
7. "Acho fights for concussion payouts for retired NFL players"—CBS Sports
8. "Acho on final ballot NFLPA election"—Detroit Free Press
9. "Final ballot set for NFLPA Director election"—ESPN
10. "Acho loses NFLPA election"—Detroit Free Press
11. "NFL legend claims discrimination"—CBS Detroit
12. "Ex-NFL star sues NFLPA"—Grand Rapids Press
13. "MLB forgot about these players"—New York Times
14. "Acho quote on death of NFLPA Presidnt Gene Upshaw"—ESPN
15. "Taking care of aging athletes"—Orlando Sentinel
16. "Steelers Foote awarded $1.2 million in valet scam"—ESPN
17. "Acho went to bat for former players"—Detroit Legal News
18. "Sports Attorney Jimmy Acho This Week's Guest"—Sklarbro Country with Randy & Jason Sklar
19. "NFL Insider James Acho on potential lockout"—Average Joe Sports Show, WKNR 850am Cleveland
20. "Jim Acho Keynote Speaker at USF Basketball Tipoff Gala"—YouTube