Sports Law and Society: Rules of the Game, Second Edition stands out for its exceptional depth and practical approach, offering a comprehensive, concise and clear examination of the legal challenges shaping today’s sports industry. Designed to engage students, it covers foundational topics like contracts, collective bargaining, and intellectual property in sports while exploring complex, evolving issues such as gender equity, the global sports ecosystem, and data analytics in performance. Each chapter provides real-world examples and cases, giving students an applied understanding of how legal principles operate within professional, college, and youth sports. By balancing established legal doctrines with emerging topics—including artificial intelligence, digital media, athlete mental health, and the future of sports—this book equips readers with both historical context and foresight, making it particularly relevant for a dynamic field. What sets this book apart is its critical focus on recent developments, with dedicated sections on the international governing bodies that impact sports law globally and discussions on ethical challenges, from athlete privacy in data analytics to collective bargaining rights. Updated chapters from this second edition provide current case law, essential references, and legal frameworks for understanding issues like contracts and data analytics, making it an invaluable resource for classroom use. Adaptable for various course structures, the book encourages students to critically engage with pressing questions in sports law, fostering a holistic understanding that prepares them for future careers. Ideal for courses on sports management, digital media, and law, this book is a unique tool for educators aiming to cultivate a deep, thoughtful perspective on sports and the law.
By:
Michael E. Jones (University of Massachusetts)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: 2nd edition
Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9798881804787
Pages: 416
Publication Date: 16 April 2026
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Acknowledgments Introduction 1. Charting the Playing Field: An Introduction to Sports Law Brief History of Sports Modern Sports and Cultural Values The Dark Side: Winning at All Costs Significance of Governing and Regulatory Bodies Importance of Studying Legal Aspects in Sports Reasons to Study Sports Law Key Legal Areas in Sports Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 2. The Evolution of College Sports: Tradition and Transformation A Brief History of the NCAA Structure and Membership Regulation of Sports Criticisms and Calls for Reform NCAA Constitution NCAA Bylaws Division I Autonomy Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 3. Breaking Barriers: Gender Equity and Title IX in Sports The History of Women's Participation in Sports The Impact of Title IX on Women's Participation in College Sports Women's Participation in the Olympic Games Advancements Beyond College Sports Role of Leading Women Athletes Advocacy Groups A Milestone for Women's Sports Title IX: A Pivotal Step Towards Gender Equity in Sports Challenges and Inclusion of Transgender Athletes Non-Binary Athletes Equal Protection Clause and Women Sports Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 4. Beyond Borders: Global Sports Governance and the Olympics and Paralympics The International Olympic Committee History of the Olympic Movement The Olympic Charter Key Olympic Rules and Regulations The Mission and Structure of the USOPC Broadcasting and Media in the Olympics Paralympics Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 5. The Business of Sports: Labor Relations and Antitrust Issues and the Role of Contracts Labor and Antitrust Law in Sports The Role of Contracts Brief History of Professional Sport Leagues Antitrust Law, Labor Law and Collective Bargaining Impact of the NLRB on Professional Sports The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Role and Power of the Commissioner in Professional Sports Professional Sports Leagues Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 6. Power Brokers: The Role of Agents in Sports Law History, Evolution, and Influence Modern Day Agents Pressure Cooker Field Contract Negotiations Agent Certification Process and Legal Relationship State and Federal Regulation Fiduciary Duties and Responsibilities of a Sports Agent Financial Mismanagement and Conflicts in Sports NIL Rights and Digital Transformation Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 7. Protecting the Game: Intellectual Property, Publicity Rights, and Privacy in the Digital Age What is Intellectual Property? Importance of IP Law in Sports Business The Role of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in Sports Broadcasting The Role of International Treaties and Organizations International Recognition and Moral Rights Publicity Rights and Athlete Endorsements Publicity Rights in Digital World Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 8. Shielding the Game: Managing Risk and Liability in Sports Torts and Risk Management in Sports: An Introduction Spectator Harm and the Obligation of Facility Managers to Provide a Safe Environment Products Liability in Sports Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 9. Data and AI: Transforming Sports Law and Performance Transforming Sports Performance with Data Analytics AI Technologies in Athlete Training and Injury Prevention Developing Game Strategies Intellectual Property and Data: Leading Cases Virtual Games and Metaverse Data Privacy: A Global Challenge Athlete Consent: Empowering Informed Decisions Who Owns the Data Goldmine? Bias, Fairness and Transparency: Ensuring a Level Playing Field Environmental Sustainability: The Hidden Cost of Big Data Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources 10. The Future of Sports: Evolving Legal, Ethical and Environmental Dimensions The Future of Sports Law: A New Era Legal Challenges to Discrimination in Sports Participation and Leadership Intersection of Race and Gender The Rooney Rule Mentorship and Leadership Programs Black-Owned Sports Franchises Women-Owned Sports Franchises Social Justice Movements on Sports Impact of Activism Modern Athlete Activism and Social Media First Amendment vs. Contractual Obligations LGBTQ+ Athletes and Fans Reimagining Gender Classification in Sports Proactive Steps for Inclusivity Advocacy and Opposition Disability Inclusion Legal and Regulatory Frameworks for Environmental Protection in Sports Ethical Sourcing and Supply Chain Management The Future of Fan Engagement Summary Discussion Questions References and Resources About the Author Bibliography Index
Michael E. Jones is Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he taught art, sport, and media law and served as the Director for the Legal Studies Program. He is recognized as one of the pioneer educators and practitioners in the field of Sports Law. He taught the first undergraduate Sports Law class in America. Jones began as an agent for professional athletes and TV celebrities and went on to co-create the Association of Representatives of Professional Athletes, which was later assigned to the NFL Players Association. Jones was the first Chairperson of the American Bar Association’s International Forum Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law. He helped to write the first collective bargaining agreement for soccer in the US and has penned more than thirty law review articles. His other books include Intellectual Property Law Fundamentals, Second Edition (2019), Art Law (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016), and Sports Law (1998).
Reviews for Sports Law and Society: Rules of the Game
""Michael Jones was one of the first to start writing in a new field called Sports Law in the early 1970s. Title IX had just become law, and Sports Law cases were slowly developing. Today, more than fifty years later, legal decisions are made much more frequent basis and have significant ramifications financially for the sports industry. College athletics, LIV Golf, new leagues (especially in women's sports), and NIL and its Title IX implications are some of the many recent developments. I commend ""Judge"" Jones for taking on the challenge of writing about the rapidly changing landscape of Sports Law. This is an excellent addition to Sports Law literature and is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the current state and future issues in the sports industry and sports law."" --Glenn Wong, Distinguished Professor of Practice - Sports Law, Arizona State University
