Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Physical Activity Clauses Can Void Athlete Contracts

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: June 18, 2015

Key Contacts

Back

Could a Ski Vacation Really Void an Athlete’s Contract?

In all four major sports leagues in the U.S., player contracts often include physical activity clauses that explain which activities athletes are restricted from engaging in to prevent off-field injuries.

These physical activity clauses were brought into focus during the most recent NFL season, when New England Patriots player Chandler Jones and his brother, UFC fighter, Jon Jones, discussed fighting in a charitable mixed martial arts event.

The football player wanted to face his older brother in a fight to prove that he could beat the UFC star all the while raising money for a good cause. The problem with the plan was that if they had followed through with the fight, it could have voided Chandler Jones’ NFL contract.

Preventing Injury

Physical activities that put athletes’ bodies at risk, by extension, also leave their teams’ fortunes in danger. If the Jones brothers had fought and Chandler had, say, broken an arm, that would be a substantial blow for the Patriots, both financially and competitively. For this reason, many athletes’ contracts include stipulations that either generally explain that the individual should avoid risky activities such as skiing, parachuting out of an airplane or boxing. Others specifically name which activities the athletes should avoid.

An example of an NFL player’s contract, posted by Marquette University, contains one of these clauses preventing athletes from engaging in risky activities. The stipulation notes that the individual may not engage in any football activities other than games and practices involving the team he plays for. Additionally, it explains that he may not engage in any off-field activity “which may involve a significant risk of personal injury.”

Any athlete who is concerned that his or her contracts include similar stipulations should consult an attorney with knowledge of professional sports agreements.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Failing to Comply With NJ Rent Control Exemption May Prove Costly post image

Failing to Comply With NJ Rent Control Exemption May Prove Costly

What Developers Need to Know About New Jersey’s Rent Control Exemption Law to Ensure Entitlement to Exemption for Newly Constructed Multi-family Housing.  A property owner in Jersey City is facing a $400 million federal class action lawsuit alleging that the landlord did not follow the procedural steps required to be eligible for exemption from local […]

Author: Patrick T. Conlon

Link to post with title - "Failing to Comply With NJ Rent Control Exemption May Prove Costly"
Crypto Securities Law: When Tokens Become Investment Contracts post image

Crypto Securities Law: When Tokens Become Investment Contracts

The application of traditional federal securities laws to crypto assets continues to evolve. In some cases, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers tokens and other digital assets to be securities. This makes them subject to federal securities law, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This classification has […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Crypto Securities Law: When Tokens Become Investment Contracts"
The Due Diligence Process for NY Condominiums and Cooperatives post image

The Due Diligence Process for NY Condominiums and Cooperatives

While the New York City real estate market can be extremely competitive, moving too quickly often backfires. Before purchasing a condominium or cooperative in New York City, it is important to do you homework. Purchasing property in NYC can involve a dizzying number of legal issues. These include condo and co-op rules, rent restrictions, and […]

Author: Jesse M. Dimitro

Link to post with title - "The Due Diligence Process for NY Condominiums and Cooperatives"
Smart Contract Legal Issues: Drafting Agreements for Blockchain post image

Smart Contract Legal Issues: Drafting Agreements for Blockchain

Smart contracts feature a unique blend of legal agreement and technical code. This innovation has the potential to reshape how business is conducted. At the same time, smart contract legal issues around enforceability, jurisdiction, identity, and compliance are common. The legal framework for these self-executing agreements is still evolving. What Are Smart Contracts? Smart contracts, […]

Author: Bryce S. Robins

Link to post with title - "Smart Contract Legal Issues: Drafting Agreements for Blockchain"
Are Stay Interviews the Key to Retaining Top Talent? post image

Are Stay Interviews the Key to Retaining Top Talent?

Retaining top talent continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing employers today. Even in an employer’s market, the loss of a key employee can disrupt operations and result in significant costs. While compensation plays a role, long-term retention often depends on workplace culture, communication, and employee engagement. One increasingly popular strategy for improving […]

Author: Angela A. Turiano

Link to post with title - "Are Stay Interviews the Key to Retaining Top Talent?"
Why Secured Transactions Are Important post image

Why Secured Transactions Are Important

Secured transactions form the backbone of a wide range of business dealings, including business loans, mortgages, and inventory financing. Because the stakes are often high and relatively minor oversights can have drastic consequences, lenders and borrowers should thoroughly understand how to form an enforceable security agreement that protects their legal rights. What Is a Secured […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Why Secured Transactions Are Important"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!