ABSTRACT
The unique characteristics of sport, as highlighted throughout this book, have resulted in distinct legal developments. This chapter reviews some of the primary ways that the law intersects with sport. Beginning with the core principle of the “autonomy of sport”, it explains how sport rules coexist with domestic laws and international obligations. The chapter also provides a summary of principles for different ownership models and compares the federated (European) model with the private ownership (American) model of sport organizations and leagues. Competition and inequities between and within stakeholders throughout the sport eco-system inevitably lead to disputes and legal interventions. The concept of “natural justice” and the sport tribunal process to resolve those disputes are explored in this chapter. Last, the threats to the integrity of sport, including doping and match-fixing, are defined and the regulatory response summarized.
