Sports Law in The United States, 4th ed.

Matthew J. Mitten (Author)

ISBN: 9789403552200

Published: January 2026

Format: Paperback

Language: English

Publisher: Kluwer Law International

Description

Part of the International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this monograph gives a practical account of how sport in the United States is regulated by both public authorities and private sports organisations. As sport has internationalised, the weight of global regulation has grown, yet each country still runs its own distinct regime and its own national and local sports bodies — giving national-level sports law a growing relevance in comparative practice.

Key Features

Covers both state-created rules and the self-regulation (by-laws, disciplinary rules, rules of play) that sports organisations rely on. Traces how professionalisation has driven greater reliance on public legal rules across criminal, labour, commercial, tax, competition, and tort law. Addresses high-profile areas such as doping, sponsorship and media rights, and liability for sports injuries.

Coverage

Structured in three parts: organisation, governance, and legal regulation of US sport (from youth and interscholastic through Olympic and professional sport, plus COVID-19 response and SafeSport issues); athlete legal status and rights (discrimination, privacy, publicity); and doping and sport across every level of competition, closing with sports commerce (IP, sponsorship, agent regulation, commercial integrity).

About the Authors

Matthew J. Mitten is a leading US sports law scholar whose work is widely used by academics, practitioners, and sports organisations researching the American model of sport regulation.

Table of Contents

Part I: Organization, Governance, and Legal Regulation of U.S. Sport (structure and governance; COVID-19 response; SafeSport; interscholastic, intercollegiate, Olympic, and professional sport; liability for sports injuries). Part II: Athlete Legal Status and Rights (student-athletes; Olympic and professional athletes; race, sex, and disability discrimination protections; privacy, reputation, and publicity rights). Part III: Doping and Sport (interscholastic through professional sport). Part IV: Sports and Commerce (IP and sponsorship; athlete agents; commercial integrity of sport).

Why buy this book?

The standard reference for how US sport law actually works in practice, useful for comparative research and for practitioners advising athletes, leagues, or sponsors operating in or with the American market.

Keywords

US sports law, sports governance, athlete rights, doping regulation, sports commerce, sports injuries liability

Target Audience

Sports lawyers, legal academics, sports organisations, international lawyers

Genre

Sports Law

Q&A

What does this book cover? The full framework of US sports regulation, from youth sport through professional leagues, doping, and commercial rights.

Who wrote this book? Matthew J. Mitten, a leading scholar of American sports law.

Is this the newest edition? Yes, this is the 4th edition, published January 2026.

Does it cover athlete discrimination protections? Yes, including race, sex, and disability discrimination law as applied to athletes.

Where can I buy Sports Law in The United States? Through CLNZ Books, with worldwide shipping included in the price.

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