Highly regulated fields necessitate compliance – even the sports industry requires adherence to compliance regulations and the professionals to maintain them. From professional franchises to college athletics departments, sports law compliance is critical to ensuring that the relationship between athletes and organizations remains symbiotic and players are protected.
If you’re passionate about sports, sports law compliance provides another route to stay close to the industry. Take what could easily be a lifelong love of the game and let it inform and inspire your work within that field; help contribute to making the world of professional sports a more ethical place for all involved.
The best place to begin on this journey is Seattle University School of Law, particularly its Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program. The MLS program gives individuals the option to stay in the legal field without going through the particularly laborious study required to become an attorney. The MLS allows for an alternative career route for those interested in the law. The need for non-attorneys with legal knowledge continues to grow, and understanding sports law compliance is a great place to begin.
How Compliance Protects Athletes
Athletes at both the collegiate and professional levels bring attention and profit to schools and organizations. A career as an athlete also tends to be shorter than careers in other industries, and athletes are at a higher risk for injury. As a result, athletes must be protected from injury and exploitation throughout their careers and into retirement.
College Athletes
College athletes are not compensated in the same way that professional athletes are, however, laws surrounding collegiate student-athlete compensation are ever-changing. Student-athletes often receive school scholarships, however, and they may also receive compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) in promotions or sponsorships. In an effort to protect the athletes from exploitation and preserve the nature of amateur athletics, many state laws and NCAA regulations govern the use and compensation surrounding an athlete’s NIL
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is one of the regulatory conferences that governs a large part of college athletics. Outside of academic scholarships, college athletes are not compensated for their athletic performance. NIL regulations present earning opportunities for them. However, in addition to NCAA regulations, each school and state has varying policies on what athletes can do in regard to their earning potential when it comes to NIL. Each school must also comply with other NCAA regulations. These include athlete eligibility, financial aid, and recruiting; schools are also responsible for the conduct of their staff.
Through sponsorships, social media, and endorsements, student-athletes can increase their marketability and earn income. This is beneficial whether or not they play professionally after college. Either way, they’re earning money, and the exposure will be helpful if they do become a professional athlete.
Legal Issues in Professional Sports
Non-attorney compliance professionals play a crucial role in navigating the legal issues that arise in sports, even though they are not licensed to provide legal advice. They are responsible for understanding and implementing regulations such as anti-doping rules, Title IX requirements, and data privacy laws, ensuring their organizations meet legal and ethical standards. These professionals often lead the development of policies addressing health and safety protocols, anti-harassment measures, and gambling integrity, collaborating with legal counsel as needed.
Their work includes educating staff and athletes on compliance obligations, monitoring adherence to rules, and managing reporting systems for potential violations. They also play a key role in risk management, helping to identify and mitigate exposure to issues such as tax non-compliance, labor law violations, or intellectual property breaches. Additionally, compliance professionals conduct audits and investigations to address potential breaches, ensuring the organization operates within legal and regulatory frameworks. While they rely on attorneys for legal interpretation, non-attorney compliance professionals are essential for operationalizing legal requirements and fostering a culture of compliance in sports organizations.
Leading Compliance Efforts With Ethics
Compliance often comes down to ensuring that ethical regulations are maintained. Whether it is in the form of advocacy, education, or risk assessment, individuals in this field work to have an athlete’s best interests in mind. Sports bring people, cities, states, and even countries together, and compliance is a critical part of the infrastructure. Leading with ethics to ensure that sports remain a safe space for athletes, employees, and even fans.
Careers in Sports Law
The sports industry offers a variety of employment opportunities outside of being an athlete. Those interested in sports compliance have a few options for careers, including:
- Risk and Compliance Manager: This position exists in every field of compliance. In sports compliance, managers and officers are generally responsible for the implementation and monitoring of compliance programs. They are in charge of educating and informing employees what rules must be adhered to, as well as having processes in place in case something adverse occurs.
- Athletic Director of Compliance: Athletic directors work closely with the regulations produced by the NCAA. All policies and procedures that must be followed would fall under this position.
- Director of Safeguarding: Safeguarding directors ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. They also lead the safeguard policies for their sport.
- General Manager: The position of the general manager involves the overview and management of the finances, marketing, media, and public relations of a sports team.
Seattle University Can Lead You To Compliance Roles in Sports
Seattle University School of Law’s MLS program is an excellent starting point for anyone looking into a career in sports law due to its compliance and risk management program’s concentration in sports law compliance concentration. It gives students the ability to focus specifically on sports through their coursework. Students are taught by sports law experts so that they begin the journey of becoming experts themselves. They begin with the core concepts of the American legal system, the foundation of compliance, and the basics of legal writing. By graduation, students have a working knowledge of the laws and regulations that will impact their day to day in their sports law careers.
Seattle University’s MLS is completely online, which presents substantial flexibility for students without sacrificing the quality of education. Courses operate on a semester-long basis, with weekly modules. These classes are synchronous with some optional live classes. Professors also have office hours. The format of the MLS program gives students regular and substantial interaction with the professor and other students while continuing to show up for other personal and professional obligations they already have. The vast resources of Seattle University are still available at the tip of their fingers, utilizing technology and its ability to help students further their education with ease.
Considering a career in sports law? Don’t hesitate! Reach out to our admissions team and apply today.
