Category:Sports
Does College Athletics Need a New Regulatory Body?
In 2021, the Supreme Court decided N.C.A.A. v Alston. This struck down the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) previous prohibition on collegiate athletes earning money on their own Name Image and Likeness (NIL). There is now debate as to what the regulations around NIL should be and who should be making them. The NCAA is currently under fire for their lack of regulations on Name Image and Likeness (NIL) deals for collegiate athletes. Historically, outside of a scholarship, an athlete could receive no compensation for their athletic ability or participation in collegiate athletics.Patrick Chomczyk, a previous editor, wrote a blog in Sept. of 2021, after the Supreme Court Decision of N.C.A.A. v. Alston. He predicted that the NCAA would implement its own rules that comply with the Supreme Court ruling and Federal legislation could follow. In the wake of Alston, the NCAA has only instituted a few rules, all centered around keeping the concept of amateurism alive. Amateurism is the current model of college sports where student athletes are not to receive compensation for their athletic activities. This concept has been repeatedly challenged in recent years.
The New World of Sports Gambling: A Need for More Rules and Regulations on a National Level
It has been quite the whirlwind since the 2018 landmark case of Murphy, Governor of New Jersey v. National Collegiate Athletic Association. It ultimately declared The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 to be in violation of the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The act effectively outlawed sports betting across the nation, with a few exceptions. The Supreme Court held that PASPA conflicted with the Anti-Commandeering Doctrine of the Tenth Amendment. Additionally, the Court held that the power to regulate this type of activity must be reserved solely to the several states. Since this decision, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting in various forms, with 29 states authorizing online or mobile bets. The rapid growth of the sports gambling industry has brought opportunities for both sports fans, as well as new revenue sources for states. However, it has also exemplified the urgent need for more federal regulation. There are newfound risks to the integrity of sports, a rise in the rates of gambling addiction, all while it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure fair market practice regulations.
How the Latest NIL Rulings Impact the NCAA
The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has been constantly changing since its enactment in June of 2021. Over the last month, the NCAA has lost a number of legal battles involving the rights of student athletes under the policies created by the NCAA. First, a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Regional Director ruled that members of the Dartmouth College men’s basketball team were employees, and therefore have the right to unionize. Most recently, a Tennessee court granted a preliminary injunction that prevents the NCAA from enforcing its NIL rules for compensation for recruits. This injunctions comes as a part of a federal lawsuit claiming that the rules violate antitrust laws. Each ruling has unique implications on the future of the NCAA and the lobbying the organization has been doing in Congress for federal regulation.
Regulating AI Used to Predict and Prevent Sports Injuries: A Crucial Need
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sports could revolutionize the way athletic injuries are predicted and managed. Notably, a variety of AI companies have developed software that forecasts potential injuries, possibly prolonging athletes’ careers. This technology analyzes data about the biomechanics of players, their frequency of play or training, and past injuries to identify patterns, find potential causes, and predict future injuries. There is immense value in preventing injuries in athletics for players, teams, and fans alike. It would therefore make sense that everyone is eager to utilize the findings of AI, but without regulation this could cause more harm than good.
Protecting the Sport or Protecting the Person: Why NIL Deals for College Athletes Need Federal Regulation
Mayhem has ensued in the world of college sports since July 1, 2021, when college athletes could first benefit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) based on an interim policy passed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Chaos emerged after a number of states adopted policies regarding athlete’s name, image, and likeness. This forced the NCAA to pass a policy allowing such deals across the board, while stating in their release that the organization would continue to work with Congress to create a solution on the national level. However, two years later, no such solution has come to fruition, and in that time, states that have a large investment in the success of their college sports have been able to create or edit their legislation to benefit the performance of their teams.
PGA Tour and LIV Golf Partnership: A Swing and a Miss?
The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have agreed to a partnership, ending the rivalry that has divided golf for the past year. While golf fans may be rejoicing, it may be a premature celebration as the Justice Department has already been investigating the golf industry for anticompetitive behavior. The announcement of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf partnership has raised further concerns about monopolistic practices within the golf industry.