This refers to a specialized practice focused in legal issues relating to the sports industry with issues including labour law, contract issues, unfair competition and antitrust law. As with entertainment law, sports law generally refers to the target industry rather than a separate body of law, though there are few unique issues faced by professional sports leagues.
In modern times, events like the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and sporting federations like FIFA and the American National Basketball Associations (NBA) are involved in legal dealings where players sign contracts and teams have relationships with governing federations.
The development in African football has been both astonishing and controversial. It should be noted that national courts are reluctant to get involved in sport related cases as sports associations are private and not public bodies.
However, when a matter against a private association is brought before the court, it will proceed with hearing the matter.