Law Commons^™

Philadelphia And Sports Law, Adam Epstein, Brian Halsey

Adam Epstein

The Hidden Ball Trick: Major League Baseball’S Collective Bargaining Agreement Attempts To Hide Tobacco Use By Players, Lee N. Gilgan

Lee N Gilgan

No sport has failed to protect its players, fans and the public from tobacco to the degree of Major League Baseball. The statistics of tobacco are shocking, especially within the sport. While some stadiums have made steps toward a remedy, the Collective Bargaining Agreement and State Law need to become the primary source of regulation.

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 …

Gamechanger: Ncaa Student-Athlete Likeness Litigation And The Future Of College Sports, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

In re NCAA Student-Athlete Name & Likeness Licensing Litigation is a consolidated lawsuit that arose principally from two federal lawsuits filed in California in 2009 against the NCAA, EA, and the CLC: Keller v. Electronic Arts, Inc., and O’Bannon v. National Collegiate Athletic Ass’n. These cases attack the practice of using the names, images, and likenesses (NIL) of student-athletes in broadcasts and rebroadcasts of games, DVDs, photos, video games, etc., without compensation to the athletes. This Article examines the implications of the challenges raised in In re NCAA Student-Athlete Name & Likeness Licensing Litigation on the future of amateurism, the …

Who Exempted Baseball, Anyway?: The Curious Development Of The Antitrust Exemption That Never Was, Mitchell J. Nathanson

Mitchell J Nathanson

This article takes a fresh look at baseball’s alleged antitrust exemption and explains why, after all, the exemption is alleged rather than actual. For contrary to popular opinion, this article concludes that the Supreme Court’s 1922 Federal Baseball Club decision did not exempt Organized Baseball from federal antitrust laws. Instead, the opinion was much more limited in scope and never reached the question of whether Organized Baseball should be treated differently than other, similarly situated businesses or institutions, although Organized Baseball clearly invited the Justices to make this determination in its brief to the Court. As this article discusses, the …

Maryland Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

This article explores how individuals, universities and professional teams associated with the state of Maryland have had a varied impact on sports law in general. It also serves as a primer for anyone studying sports law, particularly for those interested intellectual property or disability issues. Maryland has had a surprising important role in shaping sports law nationally and continues as part of the discussion. Baltimore, Maryland and the surrounding region (including D.C.) had one of the greatest sports years in 2012-2013. Not surprisingly, most of the significant sports law cases from the Chesapeake Bay area emanate from the city of …

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 …

Missouri Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief perspective and overview on how individuals and teams associated with the state of Missouri have had an impact on sports law in general. This article synthesizes Missouri-related cases and decisions, demonstrating that the legal issues are quite broad and varied in this area of the law. Some represent significant state and federal sports law cases including those that have been initiated in or traveled through Missouri via the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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.

Doping Control, Mandatory Arbitration, And Process Dangers For Accused Athletes In International Sports , Maureen A. Weston

Maureen A Weston

Athletes in a professional sports league in the United States are members of players unions, which assist their athletes in obtaining representation when they are involved in dispute resolution proceedings associated with disciplinary actions. However, individual athletes who participate in international competitions do not enjoy the same benefits. When these athletes are required to submit to mandatory drug testing, with attendant potential criminal liability, and to mandatory arbitration, they should be provided meaningful access to competent legal representation when their athletic careers are in jeopardy. This article considers the legal framework, process, and recourse for athletes in international competition to …

An Exploration Of Interesting Clauses In Sports, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to explore a broad spectrum of some of the more prominent and interesting contract clauses that have worked their way into the practice of law in the business of sport. Many of the examples utilized in this article reflect the fundamental principles of contract law generally. The article explores contract clauses (and in some cases terminations) related to prominent coaches including Jim O'Brien, Kelvin Sampson, Tom Crean and Bruce Pearl. Other clauses explored include baseball's now outdated reserve clause, termination for cause clauses, morals, force majeure, liquidated damages, hazardous activity, best efforts, best interests …

Religion And Sports In The Undergraduate Classroom: A Surefire Way To Spark Student Interest, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this pedagogical piece is to present an opportunity to discuss religion in the context of sports as a means of generating classroom discussion and prompting extra-curricular reading on topics pertaining to business law primarily at the undergraduate level. A discussion of religion and sports provides one avenue to pursue exploration of the free exercise and establishment clauses. Examples are provided in the intercollegiate, interscholastic and professional sport contexts. The article also provides a brief primer on the First Amendment generally, outlining some of the classic Supreme Court cases. The article then discusses a series of cases involving …

Entertainment Law - The Specter Of Malpractice Claims And Disciplinary Actions, John Sahl

John Sahl

There is significant risk today that lawyers will become the target of a disciplinary or legal malpractice action, especially given the complexity of the law and advances in technology that reduce the amount of time that lawyers have to reflect about client matters. This risk is heightened by the increased competition in the bar to deliver legal services in a cost-effective manner, the sophistication of clients who expect competent, efficient and reasonably priced services, and the litigious nature of consumers. The risk is further exacerbated by the ever-changing methods and rules for electronic communication and the storage of information. The …

Anatomy Of The First Public International Sports Arbitration And The Future Of Public Arbitration After Usada V. Floyd Landis, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

Mere weeks after American professional cyclist Floyd Landis seemingly won the 2006 Tour de France, the United States Anti-Doping Association (USADA), under the authority granted to it by the U.S. Congress, and through its enforcement of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC), accused him of having committed doping violations during the race. Landis vehemently denied these allegations, and accused the French laboratory that had performed the testing of his post-race samples, the Laboratoire National du Depistage du Dopage (LNDD), of bias and misconduct in his case.

Under USADA rules, an American athlete accused of doping may request an arbitration hearing before …

Sports Law: Cases And Materials, Michael Cozzillio, Mark Levinstein, Michael Dimino, Gabe Feldman

Michael R Dimino

No abstract provided.

Simply A Dress Rehearsal? U.S. Olympic Sports Arbitration And De Novo Review At The Court Of Arbitration For Sport, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

This article discusses issues that can arise when American atheletes attempt to deal with the web of national and international dispute resolution procedures and the emerging lex sportiva, which govern international sports. Specifically, it examines the reasons why the American court system cannot assist American athletes who submit to international sports dispute resolution procedures. Congress has designated the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as the domestic organization that handles disputes involving Olympic-eligible American athletes. If the USOC declares an athlete ineligible or hands down some other sanction, the case can be submitted to the American Arbitration Association (AAA), the tribunal …

Incorporating The Criminal Law In Sport Studies, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to provide an outline for teaching the criminal law in a sport studies (or related) course. The article discusses the differences among various crimes and whether physical violence involves legitimate or illegitimate force during a sports contest. Even non-violent (white collar) crimes such as the incident at the University of Toledo demonstrate how the criminal law can weave its way into the legal environment of sport. The article also notes how crimes can be committed in all environments and at all levels: youth sport, recreational activities and leagues, amateur competition and in the professional …

The Fantasy Of Athlete Publicity Rights: Public Fascination And Fantasy Sports' Assertion Of Free Use Place Athlete Publicity Rights On An Uncertain Playing Field, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

This Comment examines the treatment of athlete publicity rights in the context of fantasy sports as well as new media uses. Part I examines cases where athlete publicity rights have been recognized and rejected. Part II focuses upon fantasy sports' challenge to player publicity rights in C.B.C. Distribution & Marketing, Inc. v. Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. In C.B.C, both the federal district court and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld, albeit for different reasons, the unlicensed use of player names and statistics by a fantasy sports provider in the online games that C.B.C. sells to the public. Part …

Sales And Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the basics of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) and explore its application to sports law. Particular focus is on the sale of goods found in the UCC's Article 2. Whether a buyer and seller closes a deal for the sale of helmets, bats, balls, backboards, sports memorabilia, a new artificial surface for the outdoor field or to fulfill an order for a new set of game jerseys, the UCC applies to the sale if the parties to the sales contract failed to otherwise agree upon the specifics.

The Fundamentals Of Teaching Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The article lays out the fundamentals of teaching a successful Sports Law course including the subject areas of Sports Agency, Sports Contracts, Sports Torts, Sports Crimes, Title IX Issues, Disabilities in Sports, the use of Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs), and so on.

Internationalization In College Sports: Issues In Recruiting, Amateurism, And Scope, Maureen A. Weston Prof.

Maureen A Weston

This article examines the impact of international student-athletes ("ISAs") participating in intercollegiate athletics in the United States. Particularly in certain collegiate sports, the predominance, and frankly, the competitive success of ISAs-both men and women-is gaining the attention, and, in some cases, the concern, of college coaches, players, parents of junior players, member institutions, fans, and commentators. A primary concern is whether many of the ISAs, coming from varied education and athletic programs, are properly evaluated in meeting the academic and amateur eligibility standards set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Many ISAs are also on athletic scholarships, and, as …

Book Review: Sports Law: Cases, Documents, And Materials, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Book Review of Walter T. Champion's 2005 textbook.

The Adea And Sports Law, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

The purpose of this article is to provide insight into age issues in sports law and its relationship to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), a federal law. There are a few published decisions involving the ADEA in the sports setting. However, there are some cases involving claims by coaches, support staff and administrators who allege they were terminated unlawfully based upon age discrimination. Part I presents a comprehensive overview of the ADEA including defenses to a claim of age discrimination. Part II offers relevant cases with regard to the ADEA and its evolution including the few …

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 …

Book Review: Sports Law And Regulation: Cases, Materials, And Problems, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Review of the 2005 textbook authored by Matthew J. Mitten, Timothy Davis, Rodney K. Smith & Robert C. Berry. The four authors of this text all have credible status in the field of sports law as professors at the law school level, and the reader is reminded of their expertise throughout the book in numerous footnotes, notes and in other references. They present 12 chapters of a sport law smorgasbord in an interesting arrangement. The authors note that the book should be given multidisciplinary consideration among law students and upper-division undergraduate and graduate students. However, the authors provide that the …

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.

Bankruptcy And Sport Management, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

A discussion of the relationship between bankruptcy law and sport studies including sports management and sports law. A history of bankruptcy laws is presented, including relevancy between today and its ancient Roman roots. A list of teams and individuals (through 2003) who have filed for bankruptcy provides a springboard for further research. The differences between Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy is presented in the context of sport. Particular emphasis is given to the bankruptcy filings by Cannondale bicycle manufacturer and sports agent David Dunn.

Body Blow: Boxer Chases Ambulance And Wins Judgment, Adam Epstein

Adam Epstein

Case analysis and discussion of Maldonado v. Gateway Hotel Holdings, L.L.C., 2003 Mo. App. LEXIS 1577, in which the Missouri appellate court upheld a trial court decision as a professional boxer was awarded $13.7 million in compensatory damages for a hotel's failure to provide an ambulance on site after the match was over even though it had subcontracted responsibility for the event with a promoter.

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 …