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Sports Arbitration And Enforcing Promises: Brian Shaw And Labor Arbitration, Roger Abrams

Roger I. Abrams

This article discusses the important Sports Law case involving Brian Shaw and the Boston Celtics. It explains how the Boston Celtics used expedited arbitration with subsequent summary court enforcement to secure the services of its prized point guard. In exchange for a multi-year contract and a signing bonus, Shaw promised to return to the Celtics after a year in the Italian Basketball League. He then reneged on his promise when informed he could earn a much higher salary after playing another year in Rome. The club invoked arbitration and compelled Shaw to fulfill his promises. The article includes profiles of …