International Sports Employment Law

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.

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The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

‘Player contracts’ is often the first thought that comes to mind when sports law is mentioned, but it is the framework of labour market rules concerning the likes of transfers, drafts and salary caps that constitutes one of the most engaging and unique aspects of the sports law landscape. The international nature of sport is reflected in this subject’s exploration of employment, labour market rules and the role of player associations and collective bargaining in major sports across three continents. This popular subject is for anyone interested in the representation of athletes and their employers. Between them the lecturers muster a vast knowledge and practical experience in this important field.

This subject will examine sports employment law issues internationally, particularly in Australasia, Europe and the United States. Attention will be paid to the major professional team sports in these different legal jurisdictions and the legal needs of key stakeholders. A prominent theme will be the unusual aspects of the sports labour market and industrial relations process.

Principal topics will include:

• Commercial environment of the sports labour market
• General principles of employment law in sports
• Labour market controls in professional team sports and the role of competition law in Australasia, Europe and the United States
• Emergence and role of player associations
• Collective bargaining agreements
• The player/agent legal relationship and the regulation of agents
• Player marketing rights
• Selected issues in employment law, including selection, disciplinary measures, disability and workers’ compensation, termination and grievance procedures.

A student who has successfully completed this subject should:

• Possess a general knowledge of international sports employment issues
• Understand employment and competition law issues of major professional team sports, particularly in Australasia, Europe and North America
• Understand the nature and role of player associations
• Be able to engage in informed debate over the sufficiency of sports employment law in different legal jurisdictions to serve the interests of various stakeholders.

10,000 word research paper (100%) (15 November) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator

Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Visit the Melbourne Law Masters website for more information about this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.