Essentials of Sports Law : Fourth Edition

932 Pages·2010·3.049 MB·English

by  Glenn M Wong

ESSENTIALS
OF SPORTS LAW
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ESSENTIALS
OF SPORTS LAW
Fourth Edition
GLENN M. WONG
Copyright 2010 by ABC-CLIO
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission
in writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Wong, Glenn M.
Essentials of sports law / Glenn M. Wong. — 4th ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-313-35675-9 (hard copy : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-313-35676-6
(ebook) 1. Sports—Law and legislation—United States. I. Title.
KF3989.W66 2010
344.73’099 — dc22 2010021794
ISBN: 978-0-313-35675-9
EISBN: 978-0-313-35676-6
14 13 12 11 10 1 2 3 4 5
This book is also available on the World Wide Web as an eBook.
Visit www.abc-clio.com for details.
Praeger
An Imprint of ABC-CLIO
ABC-CLIO, LLC
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Santa Barbara, California 93116-1911
This book is printed on acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
CONTENTS
Preface to the First Edition xix
Preface to the Second Edition xxi
Preface to the Third Edition xxiii
Preface to the Fourth Edition xxvii
chapter 1
Introduction 1
1.1. The Sports Industry 2
1.2. Professional Sports Leagues 3
1.2.1. A Brief Economic Overview 4
1.2.2. Impact of Broadcast Contracts 6
1.2.3. Attendance 9
1.2.4. Luxury Suites 10
1.2.5. Personal Seat Licenses 10
1.2.6. Sponsorships, Licensing, and Merchandising 11
1.2.7. Commissioners 13
1.2.8. Single-Entity Leagues 15
1.3. Intercollegiate Athletics 16
1.3.1. Organizational Structure 17
1.3.2. Economic Overview 19
1.3.2.1. Revenues 20
1.3.2.2. Expenses 21
1.3.3. The Institutions 22
1.3.4. Institution Case Study: University of Michigan
Athletic Department 23
1.3.5. Knight Foundation Commission on
Intercollegiate Athletics 25
vi • CONTENTS
1.4. The Olympics 27
1.4.1. Organizational Structure 27
1.4.2. International Federations and National
Governing Bodies 31
1.4.3. Economic Overview of Olympic Bodies 33
1.4.4. International Olympic Committee Responses
to Prevailing Legal Issues 34
1.5. Interscholastic Athletics 35
1.6. Individual Sport Issues 36
1.7. Facilities, Agency Firms, and Media 37
chapter 2
The Court and Legal System in the United States 39
2.1. The Federal Court System 41
2.1.1. U.S. Supreme Court 41
2.1.2. U.S. Courts of Appeals 43
2.1.3. U.S. District Courts 44
2.1.4. Administrative Agencies 44
2.2. The State Court System 47
2.3. Civil Legal Process 48
2.3.1. The Complaint 48
2.3.2. The Parties 49
2.3.3. Court Jurisdiction 49
2.3.4. The Summons 49
2.3.5. The Answer 49
2.3.6. Discovery 50
2.3.7. Pretrial Motions 50
2.3.8. The Type of Court 50
2.3.9. The Trial 51
2.3.10. The Judgment 52
2.3.11. The Appeals Process 52
2.4. Sources of Legal Information 53
2.4.1. Legal Reference Materials 53
2.4.1.1. Legal Dictionaries 53
2.4.1.2. Legal Research Guides 53
2.4.1.3. Annotated Law Reports 54
2.4.1.4. Legal Encyclopedias 54
2.4.1.5. R estatements of the Law 54
2.4.1.6. Treatises 54
2.4.1.7. Legal Indexes 55
2.4.1.8. Law Review Articles 55
2.4.1.9. S hepard’s Citations 56
2.4.1.10. Legal Computer Services 56
2.4.1.11. Sports Law Newsletters 57
2.4.1.12. Sports Law Web Sites 58
2.4.2. Constitutions 58
2.4.3. Legislation 59
2.4.4. Federal Administrative Rules and Regulations 59
CONTENTS • vii
2.4.5. Case Law 60
2.4.5.1. U.S. Supreme Court 60
2.4.5.2. U.S. Courts of Appeals 60
2.4.5.3. U.S. District Courts 61
2.4.5.4. State Courts 62
chapter 3
Legal Principles in Tort Law 63
3.1. The Tort of Negligence 65
3.1.1. Duty of Care Owed 65
3.1.1.1. Reasonable Person Standard 67
3.1.1.2. Standard of Care for Children 68
3.1.2. Breach of Duty Owed 69
3.1.2.1. Violation of a Statute, Negligence Per Se 70
3.1.2.2. Res Ipsa Loquitur 70
3.1.3. Actual and Proximate Causation 71
3.1.4. Damages 73
3.1.5. Defenses for Negligence 74
3.1.5.1. No Negligence 74
3.1.5.2. Contributory Negligence 75
3.1.5.3. Comparative Negligence 75
3.1.5.4. Assumption of Risk 76
3.1.5.5. Statute of Limitations 79
3.1.5.6. Immunity and Good Samaritan Statutes 79
3.1.6. Wrongful Death Statutes 81
3.2. The Tort of Reckless Misconduct (Gross Negligence) 82
3.3. Intentional Torts 83
3.3.1. The Tort of Assault 83
3.3.2. The Tort of Battery 84
3.3.3. Defenses for Assault and Battery 85
3.3.3.1. Consent 85
3.3.3.2. Privilege 86
3.3.4. Tortious Interference with Contractual Relations 87
3.3.5. The Tort of Intentional Infl iction of Emotional Distress 88
3.3.6. Damages for Intentional Torts 89
3.4. Harm to Economic and Dignitary Interests 89
3.4.1. Defamation Law 89
3.4.1.1. Libel 90
3.4.1.2. Slander 90
3.4.2. The Tort of Invasion of Privacy 92
3.5. Products Liability Law 94
3.5.1. Products Liability Based on Intent 94
3.5.2. Products Liability Based on Negligence 94
3.5.3. Products Liability Based on Strict Tort Liability 95
3.5.4. Products Liability Based on Implied and Express Warranties 97
3.6. Vicarious Liability 97
3.6.1. Exception: Independent Contractors 98
3.7. Workers’ Compensation 99
viii • CONTENTS
chapter 4
Application of Tort Law to Sports 105
4.1. Liability of Participants 106
4.2. Liability of Coaches and Teachers 110
4.2.1. Failure to Provide Adequate Supervision 111
4.2.2. Failure to Provide Proper Instruction and Training 113
4.2.3. Failure to Provide Prompt and Capable Medical Assistance 115
4.3. Liability of Administrators, Schools, and Athletic Organizations 117
4.3.1. Failure to Provide Supervision of Athletic
Activities and to Hire Qualifi ed Personnel 118
4.3.2. Failure to Provide Proper Medical Assistance 120
4.3.3. Failure to Provide Safe Equipment 121
4.3.4. Vicarious Liability for Actions of Fans and Players 123
4.4. The Defense of Immunity 124
4.4.1. Sovereign Immunity 124
4.4.2. Charitable Immunity 126
4.4.3. Civil Liability Immunity Legislation 127
4.5. Liability of Facility Owners and Possessors 128
4.6. Liability of Medical Personnel 138
4.7. Liability of Offi cials, Referees, and Umpires 142
4.8. Application of Legal Principles to Defects in Equipment 147
4.9. Liability Insurance 150
4.10. Waiver and Release of Liability 151
chapter 5
Athletic Associations 157
5.1. Voluntary Athletic Associations 160
5.1.1. Introduction 160
5.1.2. The U.S. Olympic Committee 161
5.1.3. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 165
5.1.4. Other Athletic Associations 170
5.1.5. High School Athletic Associations 172
5.2. Legal Principles Pertaining to Amateur Athletic Associations 178
5.2.1. Introduction 178
5.2.2. Judicial Review 178
5.2.3. Standing 182
5.2.4. Injunctive Relief 182
5.3. Association Enforcement Authority 184
5.3.1. Introduction 184
5.3.2. NCAA Enforcement Procedure 185
5.3.2.1. Committee on Infractions 186
5.3.2.2. Infractions Appeals Committee 189
5.3.2.3. NCAA Infractions Process 192
5.3.3. The Knight Commission 193
5.3.4. Interscholastic Enforcement Procedures 195
5.3.5. Olympic Enforcement Procedures 198
5.3.6. Court of Arbitration for Sport 201
CONTENTS • ix
5.4. Public Responsibility of Athletic Associations 205
5.4.1. Disclosure 205
5.4.2. Funding of Public Facilities 208
5.4.3. The Buckley Amendment 209
chapter 6
The Athlete and Constitutional Law 213
6.1. Athletic Associations and Constitutional Issues 215
6.1.1. State Action Requirement 215
6.1.2. Due Process 219
6.1.2.1. Procedural Due Process 220
6.1.2.2. Substantive Due Process 222
6.1.3. Equal Protection 226
6.2. Defi nitions of Eligibility 229
6.3. Eligibility Requirements: College and High School 234
6.3.1. Academic Eligibility Rules 236
6.3.1.1. Initial Eligibility: National Collegiate
Athletic Association (NCAA) 236
6.3.1.2. Grade Point Average: High School 239
6.3.1.3. Academic Progress: NCAA 240
6.3.1.4. Academic Progress: High School 242
6.3.2. Participation Rules 244
6.3.2.1. Redshirting 244
6.3.2.2. Longevity 247
6.3.2.3. Transfer Rules 249
6.3.3. Amateurism Rules 252
6.3.3.1. NCAA Rules Regarding Scholarships,
Financial Assistance, and Expenses 252
6.3.3.2. Employment: NCAA 257
6.3.3.3. Summer Camps and Independent Teams 258
6.3.3.4. Olympic Eligibility Requirements 260
6.4. Athlete’s Challenge of Rules 263
6.4.1. Freedom of Expression 263
6.4.2. Discipline 268
6.4.3. Alcohol, Drug, and Conduct Rules: High School 273
chapter 7
Drug Testing and Policies 275
7.1. Legal Principles in Drug Testing 277
7.1.1. Constitutional Law 278
7.1.2. Contract and Labor Law 281
7.2. Drug Policies and Legal Challenges 282
7.2.1. Interscholastic Athletics 283
7.2.1.1. Vernonia School District v. Acton 283
7.2.1.2. Performance-Enhancing Drug Policies 285
7.2.1.3. Considerations in Enacting Drug Testing Programs 285