Sports and the Law
Course Information
- Course Number
- L8205
- Curriculum Level
- Upperclass
- Areas of Study
- Civil Procedure, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution, Clinics, Externships, and Experiential Learning, Commercial Law and Transactions, Gender and Sexuality Law, Labor and Employment Law
- Type
- Lecture
Section 001 Information
Instructor
Section Description
Sports and the Law will examine how the law applies to the unique relationships in the sports industry in the United States and the way in which the substantive law of corporations and associations, intellectual property, antitrust and labor have shaped and been shaped by the relationships among athletes, teams, leagues and other sports industry participants. We will pay particular attention to corporate governance, including how leagues are structured and the evolving role of the Commissioner; the role of agents; discrimination in sports; sports betting for professional and college sports; the applicability of the antitrust and labor laws, the evolving rights of athletes, teams and leagues to their names, images and likenesses (IP rights); and the evolving affects of IP, antitrust and employment law on college athletes. .
Classes will begin with a discussion of current sports legal and business developments in the news. We anticipate several guest lecturers from professional sports leagues and teams. Class participation is encouraged and rewarded.
- School Year & Semester
- Fall 2024
- Location
- WJWH 417
- Schedule
-
Class meets on
- Monday
- Points
- 2
- Method of Evaluation
- Exam
- J.D Writing Credit?
- No
Learning Outcomes
- Primary
-
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of a specific body of law, including major policy concerns
- Students will acquire facility in doctrinal analysis, including close reading of cases and precedents, statutes and agreements in the sports industry, such as collective bargaining agreements, league Constitutions and by-laws.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired facility in jurisprudential considerations in legal analysis
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired facility in the historical development of law and legal institutions in the U.S. sports industry
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired facility in the applicability of different bodies of law to the U.S. sports industry.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired facility in how to analyze the legal issues that affect the operation of U.S. sports teams and leagues, particularly at the professional and collegiate levels.
- By the end of the course, students will have acquired an understanding of the legal and business issues concerning intellectual property rights, antitrust law, corporate governance and labor law as each affects the U.S. sports industry.
Course Limitations
- Instructor Pre-requisites
- None
- Instructor Co-Requisites
- None
- Requires Permission
- No
- Recommended Courses
- Antitrust and Trade Regulation Corporations but not required
- Other Limitations
- Preference for students interested in U.S. sports industry (professional and collegiate).