As the world responds to COVID-19/Coronavirus, the world of professional and amateur sports is responding as well. The virus had already has begun impacting the sports world and its impact with likely increase. The spread of the virus throughout the United States has led to growing concerns about sporting games and events. As a result,
NBA
National Basketball Players Association Opposes NCAA’s Amended Agent Certification Requirements
In a recently published letter, the agents of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) wrote, “[T]he NCAA Agent Certification process and the rules, regulations, and guidelines surrounding it are needlessly invasive and onerous and are completely counterproductive to meeting the NCAA’s stated purpose in attempting to certify and regulate NBA agents: to protect men’s…
NCAA Adds, Then Modifies, Certification Requirements for Agents
In 2018, in response to a federal investigation into alleged corruption, the NCAA established the Commission on College Basketball to fully examine critical aspects of Division I men’s basketball.
Among its recommendations, the Commission said student-athletes should be permitted to declare for the NBA draft but maintain their college eligibility if not drafted. This rule…
MLB Appears Ready To Dive into Uniform Patch Advertising
After observing the success of the NBA’s uniform patch program, Major League Baseball appears ready to utilize similar uniform advertising.
According to MLB’s Executive and Vice President of Business and Sales Noah Garden, the MLB is considering advertising patches for players’ uniforms. Although the patches cover only a small portion of uniform space (approximately …
Agents Beware: Representation Agreement May Not Be Enforceable If It Violates State Sports Agent Laws
A North Carolina law designed to protect student-athletes may determine the enforceability of Prime Sports Marketing’s contract with former Duke University star Zion Williamson. While Williamson is preparing to become a member of the New Orleans Pelicans after his name is announced as the No. 1 selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, he is also…
‘One and Done’ May Soon Be DONE!
The controversial NBA rule that keeps basketball players from beginning their professional careers until they’ve completed one year of college play may soon be history.
The NBA has formally announced that “elite” 18-year-old basketball players will be able to move forward with their professional careers beginning with the 2019-20 season, skipping the current mandate that…
Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Banning States from Legalizing Sports Gambling
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the federal law known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) that bans states from permitting gambling on sporting events. Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Assn., No. 16-476 (May 14, 2018).
This decision effectively ends Nevada’s long-time monopoly in this arena and opens the
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NLRB Finds Sports Team’s Electronic-Content Workers As Employees Eligible To Unionize
The National Labor Relations Board has found the individuals who produce electronic content for viewing during professional basketball games are employees, rather than independent contractors. Minnesota Timberwolves Basketball, LP, 365 NLRB No. 124 (2017). The Board reversed the decision of an NLRB regional director and reinstated a representation petition filed by the International Alliance…
Visa Options For Athletes
In these days of “extreme vetting,” entering the United States as a business visitor (B visa or Visa Waiver status, with an ESTA approval) can have its hazards – especially for athletes who need to enter the United States quickly and have no time to spare. [Link to blog on extreme vetting: http://www.globalimmigrationblog.com/2017/05/state-department-proposes-supplemental-questions-for-visa-applicants/ ]
Earlier…
Texas Spotlights Transgender Athlete Issues as Bill Progresses in Legislature
The Texas University Interscholastic League’s constitution requires that student-athletes compete according to the gender on their birth certificate. In February, a 17-year-old transgender male was required to wrestle against females, despite his preference to compete in the boys’ league. He went on to win the Class 6A 110-pound girls’state championship in Texas high school wrestling …