Sport, Commerce and the Law

Subject 730-674 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

February, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Mr Hayden Opie
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the relationship between Australian sport and law, and the nature of and reasons for changes in that relationship
  • Understand and be able to apply the principles of law having particular relevance to Australian sport.

Syllabus:

This subject will consider selected aspects of the relationship between the law and commercial and professional sporting activities. Particular attention will be given to legal responses to the commercialisation of sport and how those responses influence sport.

Principal topics will include:

  • Athletes’ rights in relation to discipline, sex and racial discrimination, eligibility and selection, drug use and financial assistance
  • Amateurism and professionalism
  • Protection and marketing of the athlete’s reputation
  • Professional player contracts, including discipline, entitlement in the event of injury, assignment, inducing breach of contracts and remedies for breach
  • Club and league structures and franchise ownership
  • Advertising and sponsorship arrangements
  • The impact of the common law doctrine of restraint of trade and the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
  • Taxation of athletes and clubs
  • International sports organisations.
Assessment:
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (21 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-674Sport, Commerce and the LawMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2009P

Objectives:

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

  • Understand the relationship between Australian sport and law, and the nature of and reasons for changes in that relationship
  • Understand and be able to apply the principles of law having particular relevance to Australian sport.

Syllabus:

This subject will consider selected aspects of the relationship between the law and commercial and professional sporting activities. Particular attention will be given to legal responses to the commercialisation of sport and how those responses influence sport.

Principal topics will include:

  • Athletes’ rights in relation to discipline, sex and racial discrimination, eligibility and selection, drug use and financial assistance
  • Amateurism and professionalism
  • Protection and marketing of the athlete’s reputation
  • Professional player contracts, including discipline, entitlement in the event of injury, assignment, inducing breach of contracts and remedies for breach
  • Club and league structures and franchise ownership
  • Advertising and sponsorship arrangements
  • The impact of the common law doctrine of restraint of trade and the restrictive trade practices provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)
  • Taxation of athletes and clubs
  • International sports organisations.
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (21 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A. N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidates background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Mr Hayden OpieLawLawNNNNParkvillePARKVILLEFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730674730-6742February

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