The Docket Historical Archives 2-1-1993 The Docket, Issue 7, February 1993 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/docket Recommended Citation "The Docket, Issue 7, February 1993" (1993). The Docket. 171. https://digitalcommons.law.villanova.edu/docket/171 This 1992-1993 is brought to you for free and open access by the Historical Archives at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Docket by an authorized administrator of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Digital Repository. Vol. XXIX, No. 7 THE VILLANOVA SCHOOL OF LAW February, 1993 Sports Law Program: One of the Finest by T. John Forkin and is a law partner of Leigh It's comprehensive, it's practi­ Steinberg, who represents over 20 cal and it's one of the nation's NFL quarterbacks. Moorad's finest sports law programs. One client list includes Will Clark, San element of that program essential­ Francisco Giants; Eddie Zosky ly began in the fall of 1990 as the and Shawn Green, the World Sports & Entertainment Law Series Champion Toronto Blue Society (founded by Steve Hart- Jays and over 20 first-round major man, Tim Bryant and Jeff Bosley). league baseball draft choices. The society has since matured at Moorad has lectured at one of the a whirlwind pace. Sports Law course classes and is Unofficially, but practically expected to do so again in the speaking, the Villanova School of future. Law Program consists of three Among other things covered in primary levels: 1) the official the Sports Law course, emerging Sports Law course; 2) the Sports legal issues are discussed and & Entertainment Law Society; multi-million dollar contracts are and 3) the University's Profes­ broken down into their component sional Sports Counseling Panel. parts and analyzed along with The course is offered by the management and player represen­ Law School during the fall semes­ tative negotiating strategy. ter and is taught by Dean Gar- The Sports & Entertainment barino, an authority in this area Law Society represents the second of law. Dean Garbarino's first level of the program and holds experience in sports law happened regular forums on sports and in the early 1950s during his entertainment law open to the undergrad tenure at St. Bonaven- student body and the general ture University. His close friend public. Guest speakers have was Little All-America Football included the inimitable NBA star, star, Phil Colella, who was being Charles Barkley, and his agent, recruited by a number of pro- Billy Cunningham, a member of football teams including the Bos­ the Hail of Fame, former 76ers ton Yankees of the newly-formed star and coach, and managing All America Football Conference general partner of the Miami which spawned the Cleveland franchise in the NBA; Bob Wal­ Dean Garbarino heads Villariova's Sports Law Browns and the San Francisco lace, general counsel for the 49ers. Philadelphia Eagles; Tom Brook- Under NCAA regulations, such expanded the authority of panels to the players who very often come Owner of the Boston Yankees, shier, former Eagles star and panels are appointed by the Pres­ to permit them to "test the from poor families. Ted Collins, called Colella with a sports commentator; Rollie Mas- ident of the University and may waters" concerning the draftabil- Through the Villanova sports contract offer of $7,500 per year, simino, former Villanova Univer­ include only one member of the ity and expected salary of players panel, the Dean is able to obtain a not uncommon figure for estab­ sity Men's Basketball Coach and Athletic Department. The Panel with professional potential at from the players' association the lished players in the NFL. This now Head Coach at UNLV; Harry implements the University's pol­ their colleges and to actually benefit of valuable information was in the days before player- Himes, Esq. and Richie Phillips, icy concerning sports agents and negotiate on behalf of the student- concerning salaries and contracts agents, mega-million dollar TV Esq., both graduates of the Law the registration and regulation of athlete without losing his or her of professional players and draft contracts, Super Bowls and an School, who are engaged in sports agents seeking to represent Vil­ scholarship or academic eligibili­ choices, as well as being on the economy fueled by inflation. Dean law and sports representation; lanova athletes with professional ty. The NCAA regulations prohib­ mailing list for players' associa­ Garbarino, using his famously Steve Kauffman, Esq., well- sports potential. The essential it engagement of an agent or tion matters. This information sound judgment, said "Hey Phil, known agent; Eric Lindros' agent premise is to ensure that the lawyer, even on a free services keeps students abreast of matters hold out for some more money and Rick Curren; and Art Kania, Esq., student-athlete is presented with basis, as well as any direct contact of importance to the players and a bonus." Phil got more money the Dean's longstanding law the accurate facts concerning between an agent or lawyer on management. and a bonus. The Dean has been partner prior to his coming to eligibility, potential agents seek­ behalf of the student-athlete and Thus, the three elements involved in the area of sports law Villanova School of Law. The list ing to represent them, the terms a professional team without loss involved in the Sports Law pro­ ever since. is extensive, as are the topics and of typical player-agent and player- of eligibility. The Dean feels the gram each provide valuable infor­ Dean Garbarino teaches his legal issues covered. Students are team contracts and the reputation, NCAA regulations should be mod­ mation and legal training to form course with the same practical free to pose questions to the standing and experience of each ified to permit student-athletes to a sound, comprehensive package hands-on methodology that he speakers during the presentation involved agent. Dean Garbarino is submit their names for the pro­ for the Villanova student interest­ used in counseling his friend, Phil or talk to them on a more personal quick to note the importance of fessional football and basketball ed in sports law and sports Colella. However, over the years, basis at the receptions that follow protecting the college athlete from drafts and to negotiate potential contracts. the Dean's list of "friends" grew afterwards. This experience is entering the draft before he or she contract terms without loss of It is important to understand to include people like Billy Cun­ invaluable as it provides first­ is ready. If they are not a premium eligibility, provided they do not that sports law, per se, is not ningham, Chuck Daly, players, hand knowledge and practical "blue chip" player, they may not sign a contract. He also believes merely contract negotiation for colleges and holders of equity hands-on application or the sports get drafted despite the promises that there has to be some reas­ what some call overpriced pam­ interests in professional teams to business and legal theory from the of an agent engaged to represent onable stipends to provide the pered athletes. To the contrary, mention a few. The Dean has a best. the athlete. Such students can student-athlete with a form of sports law involves a plethora of warm friendship with Jeff Moo- The third level of the overall find themselves not only out of income for their revenue- legal fields such as anti-trust, tort, rad, Class of 1985 and a sports Sports Law Program is the Uni­ school, because of loss of athletic generating play for NCAA schools. labor law, workers compensation, attorney — agent extraordinare. versity's Professional Sports scholarship, but also out of work. This would not only remove some corporate law, tax law and estate Jeff was recently elected to the Career Counseling Panel of which The NCAA has strongly encour­ of the incentive for under-the- planning. Law School Board of Consultors Dean Garbarino serves as Chair. aged such panels and last year table payments, but would be fair (Continued on page 8) Inside This Edition... The Villanova Docket U.S. POSTAGE Villanova Law School PAR) Villanova, PA 19085 Villanova, Pa. 1-900-BOB-TALK P.4 ParmM No. S NBn-Prafil OrganixaNon Conservative Guy v. Liberal Gal p.5 Culinary Court p.8 Survey Results .. ..p.14-15 Prattoons p.l6 Page 2 • THE DOCKET • February, 1993 And So It Goes . by Angeline Chen in-school competition and at out­ Law School owes them something, Each issue brings forth a side competitions. Villanova be it a job or lower tuition or a number of people who comment teams sent to outside competitions better selection of classes. Hey, to me (positively or negatively) as have been numerous and have nobody promised you a rose to where The Villanova Docket is consistently done well. Mark's garden. Acceptance and $12,000 of heading (or, sometimes, where it suggestion that our professors tuition money got you the chance should go). Many comments are begin focusing more on publishing to earn a J.D. and an education directed at particular articles or is a double-edged sword. First of enabling you to practice in the views espoused by individuals all, I'm not in agreement that our legal profession, nothing more and who have contributed to our faculty doesn't publish enough. nothing less. Whatever else you pages. (Many comments are equal­ Villanova's faculty puts out a carry with you out the doors of Letters to the Editor ly directed at the individuals who solid and respectable number of Garey Hall has to be earned.