Sports law encompasses a multitude of legal topics including intellectual property, torts, contracts, and antitrust law. This research guide provides guidance on how to conduct legal research related to sports law and the variety of legal issues that arise within amateur and professional sports. The guide includes information on relevant secondary sources, useful databases and indexes, and online resources that will help the sports law researcher.
The ASU Library has a number of print and electronic books in its collection related to sports law. The list below highlights a small number of those resources; you can search the ASU Library catalog for additional titles.
Advanced Introduction to Global Sports Law (Stephen F. Ross, 2021)
This book is a succinct introduction to key topics of the law specific to sports, comparing approaches to sports law across the globe, with particular focus on the United States, Europe, and common law jurisdictions.
Esports and the Law: A Game Plan for Business and Legal Trends (Marc Edelman, et al., 2022)
This American Bar Association publication addresses which laws govern esports and provides a comparison to traditional sports, touching on topics such as intellectual property rights, labor and employment issues, violent content, collegiate esports, gambling, and more.
Essentials of Sports Law (Glenn M. Wong, 2002)
This treatise provides an in-depth look at the legal issues that impact the sports industry. Major topics covered include torts, contracts, labor and employment law, intellectual property law, gender discrimination, athletes with disabilities, drug testing, and sports agents.
Fundamentals of Sports Law 2nd ed. (Walter T. Champion, 2020 update, Westlaw password required)
This treatise, available electronically on Westlaw (Westlaw password required), is a practical guide to the legal aspects of sports. It addresses topics including contracts, labor law, torts, and constitutional implications. The appendices include sample forms and letters, as well as the text of important laws related to sports.
Handbook on International Sports Law 2nd ed. (Edited by James A.R. Nafziger, 2022)
This Edward Elgar handbook provides an in-depth analysis of international sports law through three primary frameworks: the institutions, athlete rights and protections, and the commercial side of international sport. It encompasses recent topics such as concussions, EU antitrust regulations on sport, Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) award reviews, university athletics, athlete movement restrictions, taxation of athletes, and sports as cultural heritage.
How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know 3rd ed. (Darren A. Heitner, 2022)
This book offers an overview of the sports law field. Individual chapters address topics including contract drafting and negotiation, collective bargaining agreements, intellectual property matters, drug testing and use, antitrust issues, and sports betting. The previous, 2nd, edition is also available in ebook format.
Intellectual Property Law in the Sports and Entertainment Industries (Walter T. Champion, 2014, ebook through ASU Library)
This ebook provides a survey of intellectual property law issues in the sports and entertainment industries, including trademark, trade secrets, and patents.
The Oxford Handbook of American Sports Law (Michael A. McCann and Glenn M. Wong, 2018)
In this book, leading scholars explore controversies in American sports law.
Sports and Antitrust Law (ABA, 2014)
This book provides a framework for understanding sports law and its intersection with antitrust law, including general sports-related antitrust principles, the history of sports law, and recurring issues in professional sports.
Sports Law in a Nutshell 6th ed. (Walter T. Champion, 2022, ebook through West Academic)
This Nutshell is a compact analysis of the elements of sports law including contracts, agents, financial considerations, labor law, antitrust, torts, participant and spectator injuries, school and coach liability, sex discrimination, and intellectual property. It is also available in print in the Law Library’s Study Skills collection.
Sports Law Practice 3rd ed. (James T. Gray, 2021, Lexis password required)
This treatise, available on Lexis (Lexis password required), covers collective bargaining agreements, contracts, licensing, and tax planning. Appendices include sample forms.
American Law Reports
American Law Reports (ALR) is a secondary source that is helpful in finding case law about sports issues. ALR is available on Westlaw, Lexis, and in print in the Law Library.
HeinOnline
HeinOnline has an extensive, searchable collection of sports law journals.
International Sports Law Research Guide
This guide covers Olympics, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, anti-doping, human rights, and EU resources.
