A Pound of Prevention: Legal Compliance and the Medical Treatment of Athletes in Professional Sports

Recent reported events and legal developments reflect a rising focus on the health concerns and medical treatment of athletes in professional sports. Whether under a governing collective bargaining agreement or other potentially applicable laws or regulations, a professional sports team, mostly through its medical staff, undertakes a significant role in maintaining the health of its players and supervising their recovery from injuries. While the health of each player must be the predominant concern, legal risks lurk in myriad and often unanticipated ways, and properly understanding and addressing the risks and monitoring legal compliance have become critical aspects of team operations.

Foley & Lardner partner Jon Israel will cover current issues facing professional sports teams in relation to team medical operations and player health and treatment. Jon addresses the legal backdrop and recent developments concerning team medical operations and player care, as well as a practical approach to understanding and addressing legal compliance.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Identify stakeholders and provide general overview of team medical operations
2. Review legal backdrop, including collective bargaining agreements and potentially applicable laws and regulatory schemes
3. Examine recent events and legal developments concerning player health and team medical operations
4. Identify target areas for legal compliance