ABSTRACT

This chapter explores the key factors that contribute to effective sports regulation. It begins by offering a definition of the term ‘sports governance’, and then proceeds to examine matters like autonomy and self-regulation, juxtaposing these principles against the role played by governments in regulating sport. The chapter provides an overview of the legal status of sports governing bodies together with a discussion of the very interesting question of whether judicial review principles apply to the decisions made by sports federations. The rapid growth of professional sport, bringing with it a large financial outlay, has sparked a discussion as to what forms of dispute resolution are most apt in particular circumstances. A classic example of sport’s commercialization leading to high-level disputes is in the sphere of broadcasting rights, where the financial stakes are extremely high. The chapter ends by addressing the connected themes of sports dispute resolution and the applicable principles in the sports disciplinary process.