General Course Descriptions for Terms: sports
940 - Sports Law
What is a sports lawyer? I can tell you it looks nothing like you imagine nor what you are told by Hollywood. This class will cover in a small part, the most famous type of sports law, that of the player-agent relationship, but seeks to broaden the concept of sports law to everything related to the business, law, and regulation of sport. There will be an emphasis on antitrust and labor laws and the impact it has on the business of sport. This class will lean heavily into professional sports while borrowing from NCAA litigation and NIL matters to better understand the rule of reason and the role of competitive balance in the defense to antitrust claims. Students can expect practical teachings by being presented real life scenarios encountered by real sports lawyers and being asked to apply the assigned case law to resolve issues for employers and clients. This class does not cover Title IX or IP in sports
950 - Arbitration
Arbitration is a process that involves a third-party neutral, who is granted jurisdiction to issue “final and binding” (usually) decisions through a privately- (or sometimes legislatively-) established adjudicatory process. Although still referred to under the umbrella of “alternative” approaches to dispute resolution, arbitration has become a mainstream method for resolving conflicts. Used in the mid-twentieth century primarily for application in the collective bargaining environment, the use of arbitration has expanded into nearly every conceivable category of dispute: employment, commercial, construction, securities, domestic, and sports, among others. This course will explore the process and practice of arbitration. Through an examination of episodes of the first season of the popular 1980s television show “Love Boat”, the course will engage students in a semester-long mock arbitration case from evidence-gathering through the hearing phase. In the process of preparing for and presenting the case, students will be introduced to readings, guest speakers (time permitting), and analytical discussions focused on fundamental arbitration concepts that will be applicable in many future settings. Learning Objectives: 1. Become familiar with the nuts and bolts of the arbitration process. 2. Understand the legal and philosophical foundations of the arbitration process. 3. Through a simulated case, practice applying the theories and techniques of arbitration as an opportunity for reflection and evaluation.