Law Commons^™

Northwestern, O'Bannon And The Future: Cultivating A New Era For Taxing Qualified Scholarships, Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Judicial Review Of Ncaa Eligibility Decisions: Evaluation Of The Restitution Rule And A Call For Arbitration, Stephen Ross, Richard Karcher, S. Kensinger

Stephen F Ross

Courts have held that the general principles of judicial non-interference with the decisions of private associations do not apply where a dominant organization’s decisions effectively prevent individuals from participating in an important activity, including a profession or sports. Although the bylaws of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) give it unfettered power, it remains subject to judicial review when its decisions violate constitutional or statutory limits, or principles of contract law, or when they are inconsistent with the organization’s own rules. As such, general principles of equity should freely permit an athlete to obtain injunctive relief where the applicable standards …

Using Contract Law To Tackle The Coaching Carousel, Stephen Ross, Lindsay Berkstresser

Stephen F Ross

This Article suggests that student-athletes can protect themselves (and, indirectly, fans and students at the university at which they are about to enroll) by securing a binding promise from the coach that he will not voluntarily leave the university throughout the student-athlete's career. This promise could be in a legally binding contract directly between the coach and student-athlete, or by adding to the coach's employment contract with the university a proviso expressly designating student-athletes as third party beneficiaries. Part I briefly describes the problems resulting from the coaching carousel and describes the potential for contracts that limit a coach's mobility …

A Regulatory Solution To Better Promote The Educational Values And Economic Sustainability Of Intercollegiate Athletics, Stephen Ross, Matt Mitten

Stephen F Ross

Currently there are several pending antitrust suits challenging NCAA rules restricting the economic benefits intercollegiate athletes may receive for their sports participation. Although remedying the inherent problems of commercialized college sports (primarily Division I football and men’s basketball) is a laudable objective, a free market solution mandated by antitrust law may have unintended adverse consequences. Judicial invalidation of these rules may inhibit universities from providing many athletes with a college education they would not otherwise receive, by eliminating or reducing the value of scholarships for many players whose economic value is less than the cost of an education. A wholly …

A Rapid Reaction To O'Bannon: The Need For Analytics In Applying The Sherman Act To Overly Restrictive Joint Venture Schemes, Stephen Ross, Wayne Desarbo

Stephen F Ross

This Article reviews the recent and highly publicized district court decision holding that NCAA rules, which bar student-athletes from any compensation for image rights, violated the Sherman Act, and that big-time athletic programs could lawfully agree among themselves to limit compensation to $5,000 annually in trust for each athlete upon leaving school. This Article briefly discusses why the decision correctly found the current rule to be illegal, but also details why, under settled antitrust law, the critical question of how much compensation would significantly harm consumer appeal for college football and basketball is a question better left to marketing science …

The Ncaa's Transgender Student-Athlete Policy: How Attempting To Be More Inclusive Has Led To Gender And Gender Identity Discrimination, Elliot S. Rozenberg

Elliot S Rozenberg

No abstract provided.

Ohio And Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this paper is to offer a broad perspective on how individuals, universities and professional teams associated with the state of Ohio have had a varied impact on sports law in general. Many of the cases and decisions discussed in this paper include familiar incidents and issues involving basketball coach Jim O’Brien, pitcher Andy Oliver, running back Maurice Clarett, sprinter Harry “Butch” Reynolds, high school football player Bobby Martin, Major League Baseball (MLB) manager Pete Rose and others. This article could also be viewed as a starting point for further research involving this Midwestern state also known as …

A European Solution To America’S Basketball Problem: Reforming Amateur Basketball In The United States, Jaimie K. Mcfarlin, Joshua Lee

Jaimie K. McFarlin

The system of amateur and collegiate basketball in America is flawed, as every year, thousands of young men and women pursue their basketball dreams under the shadow of a multi-million dollar, predatory business model. Integral to telling the history of the NCAA and AAU organizations are recruiting horror stories and other examples of young talents who were taken advantage of by unscrupulous actors, both of which continue today. The commercialization and professionalization of amateur basketball has fed an ecosystem of exploitation in which private actors and institutions capitalize on the American mantra of "amateurism." The European system of amateur athletics …

“Can I Profit From My Own Name And Likeness As A College Athlete?” The Predictive Legal Analytics Of A College Player’S Publicity Rights Vs. First Amendment Rights Of Others, Roger M. Groves

Roger M. Groves

Two federal court decisions during 2013 have changed the game for college students versus the schools, the NCAA and video game makers. This article explores whether for the first time in history these athletes can profit from their own name and likeness and prevent others from doing so. But those cases still leave many untested applications to new facts – facts that the courts have not faced. Particularly intriguing is how 21st Century technology will apply to this area in future litigation. No publicity rights case or article to date has explored the application of predictive analytics, computer programs, algorithms, …

Federal And State Open Records Laws: Their Effects On The Internal Auditors Of Colleges And Universities, Michael D. Akers, Gregory J. Naples, Luke J. Chiarelli

Michael D. Akers

No abstract provided.

Applying The Non-Profit Duty Of Obedience In Litigation: Penn State, Paterno, Student-Athletes, & The Ncaa, Joseph M. Long

Joseph M Long

The fiduciary duty of obedience standard for non-profit leaders may offer a means to either externally challenge or internally refocus the decision-making of the NCAA leadership. The duty of obedience standard, as a tool in litigation, has been infrequently used. Nevertheless, a duty of obedience claim, if brought by the proper party, can complement or enhance an antitrust claim. As this paper will show, NCAA antitrust arguments often consider whether the NCAA has promoted amateur intercollegiate athletic competition. These arguments focus upon the NCAA’s mission statement and purpose. Since the mission statement is already a component of the antitrust litigation, …

"Show Me The Money!"-Analyzing The Potential State Tax Implications Of Paying Student-Athletes, Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

On March 26, 2014, the Chicago district (Region 13) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that Northwestern University football players qualify as employees and can unionize and bargain collectively, a decision which contravenes the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) core principle of amateurism. Shortly after, Northwestern University filed an appeal with the NLRB in Washington, D.C. to quash the prior Region 13 decision. This case has added fuel to the longstanding debate over whether student-athletes should be paid. Amidst arguments both for and against supporting the pay-for-play model from a purely compensatory stance, there has been minimal focus …

The Potential Unintended Consequences Of The O'Bannon Decision, Matthew J. Parlow

Matthew Parlow

Out Of 'Control': The Operation Gold Exception And The Ncaa’S Susceptibility To Lawsuit Under Title Vi, Rob C. Burns

Rob C Burns

This Note looks at the bylaws of the NCAA and argues that certain bylaws concerning athletes competing in the Olympic Games, which permit American athletes to receive medal bonuses that their foreign counterparts cannot, are discriminatory on the basis of national origin in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

The Myth Of The Full Ride: Cheating Our Collegiate Athletes And The Need For Additional Ncaa Scholarship-Limit Reform, Dylan O. Malagrino, Christopher Davis Jr

Dylan Malagrinò

Taxing Missy: Operation Gold And The 2012 Proposed Olympic Tax Elimination Act, Kathryn Kisska-Schulze, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to explore the legal and tax environment surrounding the August 1, 2012 bill referred to as the Olympic Tax Elimination Act (OTEA) which was introduced in the U.S. Senate to exempt from gross income the prize money earned by U.S. Olympians from the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) for earning a gold, silver or bronze medal. The OTEA came at a time when American economic growth has been stagnant, and income tax issues became a hotly contested political debate for the 2012 Presidential election. The article explores how tax issues have weaved their way …

Surveying Colorado Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview and explore some of the major sports law cases that have emanated from within the four corners of the state of Colorado or maneuvered through Denver’s Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Colorado is a prime location for a wide range of cutting edge cases, decisions, discussions and events which have an impact on the relationship between sports and the law among the professional, amateur and recreational environments. Legal issues at Colorado-based educational institutions appear to have an affinity for and history of exposing and challenging the authority of NCAA policies.

Exploring Ethical Issues And Examples By Using Sport, Adam Epstein, Bridget Niland

Adam Epstein

The purpose of the paper is to offer suggestions to engage your students when arriving at the ethics portion of your business law, legal environment, or sports law course. With due respect given to the classic theory of ethics, the paper offers ethical issues in the context of sport at all levels, including youth sport, interscholastic, intercollegiate, professional and the Olympic Games. Unique topics include sport-related fraud, the use of performance-enhancing drugs and technology, raging parents, running up the score, and whether the myriad of NCAA bylaws genuinely reflect and promote fundamental principles of amateurism, sportsmanship, and education.

Gambling And Collegiate Athletics, Adam Epstein, Bridget Niland

Adam Epstein

The article discusses concerns involving intercollegiate sports gambling. It explores the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules known as Bylaws. The article also outlines and explores a history of notable college sports gambling incidents involving individuals and NCAA schools. The article also reviews relevant federal and state laws.

Sports Agent Litigation And The Regulatory Environment, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Some of the more important civil and criminal cases involving the litigious history of the sports agent business are discussed. The article provides the fundamentals of the regulatory environment in which sports agents (many of whom are lawyers) operate. While discussion of sports agency is not novel, the collection of major cases coupled with the current state of the regulatory/business environment provides the reader with a solid basis for future consideration or research. The appropriate state and federal laws are explored in detail. The role that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) plays in “regulating” sports agents is also discussed.

Utilization Of The National Collegiate Athletic Association (Ncaa) Manual As A Teaching Tool, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

This article provides instructors with some ideas as to how they can incorporate the Division I NCAA Manual into their own course without having to reinvent the wheel. Part I offers a brief history of the NCAA and provides the proper context for the particular provisions of the Manual. Part II focuses on the Manual itself, including discussions of principles and themes found within its borders, the connection of the Manual to traditional legal and sports law topics, and offers examples of some oversights and curious provisions for comic relief.

Texas Supreme Court Denies Student-Athlete's Property Right Claim, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Discussion of the case involving swimmer Joscelin Yeo and the troubles she faced involving NCAA rules when trying to transfer from UC-Berkeley to UT-Austin between 2000-2001. The decision went to the Texas Supreme Court ruling against her and in support of NCAA transfer rules.

The Intersection Of Sports And Disability: Analyzing Reasonable Accommodations For Athletes With Disabilities, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

When thinking about athletes participating in competitive or organized sports, typically the public rarely contemplates the inclusion of players with medical impairments or other physical, mental, and learning disabilities. Yet many athletes with disabilities, whether visible or hidden, have achieved success in both amateur and professional sports. The rights of athletes with medical impairments or disabilities to participate in competitive sports are also increasingly controversial. Because of a medical impairment or disability, some athletes cannot satisfy certain eligibility requirements set by the governing sporting organizations or they need accommodation in order to participate. Athletes who have been effectively excluded from …

Whistle-Blowing And The Continued Expansion Of Title Ix In Jackson V. Birmingham Board Of Education, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

A study of the history and importance of the 2005 Supreme Court decision that expanded Title IX to include a private right of action for individuals who reveal Title IX violations even though they themselves were not subject to sex discrimination. The case involved Roderick Jackson a high school coach from the Birmingham, Alabama area.

Alternative Dispute Resolution In Sport Management And The Sport Management Curriculum, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The article covers the basics of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It then demonstrates how the instructor can utilize and incorporate ADR to effectively teach in sport management classes and sports law at the intercollegiate level.

Academic Standards Or Discriminatory Hoops? Learning-Disabled Student-Athlete And The Ncaa Initial Academic Eligibility Requirements, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

This Article explores the impact of federal disability laws on the NCAA's authority to apply its initial academic eligibility requirements to learning-disabled student-athletes. Part II provides an overview of the three primary federal laws governing students with learning disabilities. Part III describes the NCAA and the standards and processes it employs to determine freshman eligibility for athletic scholarships and participation in intercollegiate sports. Part IV tracks the judicial responses to litigation brought by students with learning disabilities challenging the NCAA eligibility criteria under the ADA. Part V analyzes the ADA's application to the NCAA and identifies specific instances in which …