ABSTRACT
The law has developed a more specific and visible role in regulating sports since the 1960s. This development has occurred at different points in different countries, but, everywhere that sports have become professionalized-and commercialized-law has inevitably played a significant part in the process. The countries where this has occurred most obviously are the USA, Australia and Western European states; in countries where there is little professional sports, the involvement of law is less common.
