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WEEK 6 DISCUSSION A
Sports leagues are composed of many teams located in different places and with different owners. Therefore, given the variety of interests that may emerge across a league, the question arises as to how the league can ensure consistency in its branding and policies. One way that sports leagues in the United States have addressed this issue is by appointing a commissioner. This week’s lesson will focus upon the governance structure of the professional sports leagues in the United States, with a specific emphasis upon the power of the commissioner and legal issues surrounding that power.
Discussion A: Antitrust Law
The MLB was granted an exemption from antitrust law in 1922. Given what you know about the goals of antitrust law, do you believe that the MLB should continue to be exempt from antitrust law? Why or why not?
Post a 500-word essay explaining whether the MLB should continue to be exempt from antitrust law. Provide support for your position.
KIN 607: Legal Aspects of Sports
Week 6 Notes: Professional Sports League Governance and the Implications of Antitrust Law
The following Week 6 Notes emphasize important concepts in the Learning Materials and provide additional information related to these concepts.
A group of principal players govern professional sports leagues in the United States. The topics addressed in the Week 6 Notes:
· Government Structures
· Role of the Commissioner
· Power of the Commissioner
I.
Governance Structures
Each major U.S. sports league has a particular governance structure.
· Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA)
Organizational Chart:
· The commissioner is sole person on the top tier of the organizational chart.
· The Executive Council reports directly up to the commissioner from the second tier of the organizational chart. The Executive Council is made up of 8 members: 4 owners from each league.
· Committees (created by the Board of Governors) report directly up to the Executive Council from the third tier of the organizational chart.
· National Basketball Association (NBA)
Organizational Chart:
· The commissioner is sole person on the top tier of the organizational chart.
· The Deputy Commissioner feeds into the reporting structure to the commissioner from the second tier of the organizational chart.
· Vice Presidents, the Secretary, and the Treasurer all report up to the commissioner from the third tier on the organizational chart.
· Board of Governors (30 members; made up of team owners or their representatives) reports up the organizational structure from the fourth tier of the organizational chart through the Secretary to the Commissioner.
· Committees (created by the Board of Governors) report directly to the board of Governors from the fifth tier on the organizational chart.
· National Football League Players Association (NFLPA)
Organizational Chart
· The commissioner is sole person on the top tier of the organizational chart.
· The Secretary and the Treasurer are on the second tier of the organizational chart and independently report directly to the commissioner.
· The Executive Committee (32 members: 1 member from each team) reports directly to the Commissioner from the third tier in the organizational chart.
· Committees (can be created by either the Commissioner or Executive Committee) always report directly to the Commissioner from the fourth tier in the organizational chart.
· National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA)
Organizational Chart
· The commissioner is sole person on the top tier of the organizational chart.
· The President, the Treasurer,
Required Reading
Sports Law: Governance and Regulation (College Edition)Â
·
Chapter 8, “Professional Sports League Governance and Legal Regulation†(pp. 275–302) This chapter provides background on the evolution of sport as a business. The steady increase in the economic value of sport has had a significant impact on the functions of sport governing bodies, which in turn has led to a growth in sport-related litigation. In this chapter, the authors identify and explain sport business stakeholders, the role and function of internal league governance, and how these relate to federal antitrust law.
Online Articles
·
Ray Rice, Roger Goodell Face Multiple Legal Options Stemming from ScandalÂ
Though the domestic abuse incident involving National Football League player Ray Rice occurred off the field, it has had significant ramifications for his team and the league itself. The author Michael McCann explains the facts of the case and potential legal arguments parties in the case may make.
·
Donald Sterling vs. the NBA: A Legal PrimerÂ
Donald Sterling, long-time owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, an NBA team, made racist comments in private that were recorded and then made public. Public outcry against Sterling and his comments immediately ensued, and the NBA began to consider how to address the incident. Michael McCann explains the legal positions of both parties in Donald Sterling vs. the NBA
Instructor Name: Point Value: 18
Student Name:
CATEGORY Excellent (7 points) Good (6 points) Fair (5-4 points) Poor (3-1 points) Did Not Complete (0 points) # of points
Content Quality
39% of total Discussion
grade
Student participated in the
Discussion about the presented
topic with detailed, relevant,
supported initial posts and
responses. Student enhanced
points with examples and
questions that helped further
discussion.
Student participated in the
Discussion about the presented
topic with detailed, relevant,
supported initial posts and
responses.
Student participated in the
Discussion about the presented
topic with adequate content but
the content lacked either detail,
relevancy, or support.
Content of student’s post and
responses was not clear, relevant,
or supported.
Student did not submit a post or
response.
CATEGORY Excellent (7 points) Good (6 points) Fair (5-4 points) Poor (3-1 points) Did Not Complete (0 points) # of points
Engagement
39% of total Discussion
grade
Student participated actively as
evidenced by strong reflective
thought in both the initial post and
in responses to classmates’
posts. Student response
participation exceeded the stated
minimum requirements.
Student participated actively as
evidenced by strong reflective
thought in both the initial post and
in responses to classmates’
posts.Student responses
contributed to classmates’
experience.
Student participated somewhat
actively as evidenced by posts
and responses that were
adequate but lacking strong
reflective thought.
Student did not participate actively
as evidenced by little reflective
thought in initial posts and
responses.
Student did not submit a post or
response.
CATEGORY Excellent (4 points) Good (3 points) Fair (2 points) Poor (1 point) Did Not Complete (0 points) # of points
Timeliness
22% of total Discussion
grade
All postings were made in time for
others to read and respond.
The initial post was made on time,
but one response to others’ posts
was not made in time for others to
read and respond.
The initial post was made on time,
but all of the responses to others’
posts were not made in time for
others to read and respond.
All of the postings were late. Student did not submit a post or
response.
Final Point Total: 0
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KIN607: Legal Aspects of Sports
