College: Graduate Programs Institute

This specialization focuses on the legal aspects of the sports industry, covering regulations, contracts, dispute resolution, and ethical considerations. Students explore key areas such as sports governance, athlete representation, intellectual property, and anti-doping laws. The program emphasizes legal analysis, negotiation skills, and risk management in sports, preparing graduates for careers in sports law, athlete management, sports administration, and compliance.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the legal frameworks governing national and international sports.
• Develop skills in negotiating contracts, sponsorship deals, and athlete representation.
• Learn dispute resolution techniques in professional and amateur sports.
• Explore regulations related to doping, ethics, and fair competition.
• Analyze intellectual property laws in trademarks, media rights, and marketing.
• Study liability and risk management in sports organizations and events.
• Apply legal principles to real-world cases in sports litigation and arbitration.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Sports Law - An overview of legal principles and governance in sports organizations.
2. Contracts and Athlete Representation - Study player contracts, endorsement deals, and agency laws.
3. Sports Governance and Regulations - Study governing bodies like FIFA, IOC, and NCAA.
4. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration in Sports - Legal approaches to handling contract disputes, doping issues, and disciplinary procedures.
5. Anti-Doping and Ethics in Sports - Laws and policies regarding performance-enhancing drugs and fair play.
6. Intellectual Property and Media Rights - Protecting trademarks, broadcast rights, and sponsorship agreements.
7. Liability and Risk Management in Sports - Legal issues related to injuries, crowd control, and event security.
8. Sports Law and Employment - Labor rights, collective bargaining, and athlete protection in the workplace.
9. International and Olympic Sports Law - Laws affecting global sports events, international transfers, and cross-border disputes.
10. Capstone Project in Sports Law - Legal analysis of a real or hypothetical sports legal or political case.

Assessment Methods:

• Legal case studies and contract analysis.
• Moot court simulations of sports-related legal disputes.
• Research papers on governance, ethics, and policy in sports.
• Internships with sports law firms, organizations, or governing bodies.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Sports Law" by Adam Epstein.
• "The Handbook on International Sports Law" by James A.R. Nafziger and Stephen F. Ross.
• "The Business of Sports Agents" by Kenneth L. Shropshire.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of law, business, or sports management is recommended.

Duration of Specialization:

Typically 3 to 4 years, including coursework, case studies, and internships.

Target Audience:

Aspiring sports lawyers, athlete agents, legal advisors, and sports managers who seek to navigate the legal complexities of the sports industry. This specialization equips students with the legal expertise and practical skills necessary to protect athletes' rights, ensure fair competition, and manage the legal aspects of sports organizations and events.