Mediation in Sports

Mediate.com News Editor, Keith Seat, summarizes the recent application of mediation to resolve a number of high value commercial sports disputes.

• NFL owners and players continue mediation efforts as ordered by the court, with involvement of multiple representatives from each side. BusinessWeek (June 9, 2011); WKRN (May 6, 2011)
• Lack of mediation blamed for rejection by Major League Baseball of proposed television deal for the Los Angeles Dodgers, which may require MLB to take over the team for sale. Karl Bayer.com (June 30, 2011); Huffpost Los Angeles (June 20, 2011)
• Maryland is required by state law to provide mediation to help obtain a new simulcasting agreement between Rosecraft Raceway and thoroughbred racing’s representatives, if the parties are not able to negotiate an agreement privately. If state-led mediation does not result in a deal by October 1, the law requires arbitration. Baltimore Sun (June 30, 2011)
• A written apology and other terms reached in mediation have resolved defamation litigation by boxer Manny Pacquiao against executives of Golden Boy Promotions, although the case continues against the Mayweathers. GMA News (June 1, 2011)
• Australia’s Arena Football League players are headed toward mediation to resolve a dispute over division of revenues after an historic meeting of players in five venues around the country. Sports News First.com.au (June 29, 2011)
• Resolutions reached earlier this year after five months of mediation over leadership of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation have not yet been implemented, so issues continue. Next.com (June 25, 2011)
• A horseracing dispute in Jamaica between the United Book Makers’ Association and Caymanas Track Limited over quadrupling of rights fees is heading to mediation facilitated by the government. Go-Jamaica (May 9, 2011)
  
                         

  Keith Seat

  Keith L. Seat is a full-time mediator and arbitrator who can effectively assist parties in resolving a wide range of telecommunications, antitrust and other commercial disputes. With over twenty years of legal experience as a mediator, arbitrator, litigator, advocate before executive branch agencies, and key staffer in the legislative and… MORE >