The world of sports excites and engages people. The spirit of competition, the possibility of a winner, and the recognition of perseverance and dedication drive people to watch and even participate as athletes. This is how we traditionally think of sports, but there is also the business of sports. As this business has grown and become more international, a need for a system of rules has emerged. Hence, a once unregulated field has become subject to an increasingly complex web of legal standards.

What are the laws that govern sports? How are they applied, both in the national and international context? What institutions are engaged in this process? How are the rights of athletes enforced, whether through a contract or otherwise? Over the next eight weeks, you will focus on these and other questions.