PLEASE READ CAREFULLY USE APA 7TH EDITION FORMAT ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT In recent years, the professional sports world has been shaken by a

WEEK 6 ASSIGNMENT

In recent years, the professional sports world has been shaken by a variety of scandals. From instances of domestic violence and child abuse, to owners perceived racist comments and teams’ alleged bounty schemes, commissioners have been busy doling out punishments. In dealing with unprecedented issues, commissioners have oftentimes relied upon what is known as the best interest of the game clause to levy sanctions. This clause will be examined in the media this week.

Instructions

Select one of the four major sports leagues in the U.S.

· Complete research to find a recent example of how the commissioner in that league has used the best interest of the game clause.

· Consider the commissioner’s use of the clause and whether you think the use was appropriate or inappropriate.

Submit a 2-page paper on the instance you selected in which you analyze the commissioner’s use of the best interest of the game clause. Your analysis must contain the following:

· A description of the instance you selected: Identify the commissioner and provide a brief summary of his or her use of the best interest of the game clause

· An evaluation of the commissioner’s use of the clause: Explain whether the clause was used appropriately, and why

· An evaluation of commissioner’s use of the clause: Describe any changes or adaptations you would have made in the instance if you were the commissioner

· Cite all references in your paper using APA style.

PLEASE USE RUBRIC

Required Reading

Sports Law: Governance and Regulation (College Edition) 

·
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 Scandal 
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 Primer 
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

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,