Historical precedents for and perceived competencies of sports administrators regarding legal implications of sports administration

The purposes of this study were both to present the currently prevailing law on topics germane to the profession of sports administration and to measure the current level of legal literacy of contemporary sports administrators in the specified areas investigated. This bifurcated study examined legal precedents from appellate court cases to determine the currently prevailing law in the areas of supervision, facility liability, sovereign immunity, workers' compensation, assumption of the risk/informed consent, gender equity, medical care of athletes, educational malpractice, and fiduciary relationships.; An original questionnaire was developed and its validity and reliability was established utilizing a jury panel of twenty attorneys whose practice included some aspect of sports law. The questionnaire was then sent to 250 randomly selected sports administrators at NCAA member institutions. The return rate on the questionnaire was 72%. Using the thematic analysis method, a model answer was developed based on currently prevailing case law in each of the investigated areas. This model answer and the responses of the jury panel served as reference points for the evaluation of the responses of the contemporary sports administrators.; Results of the questionnaire were quantified in order to measure the strengths of relationships among the various groups studied.; The results of the study tend to indicate that there does exist a deficiency on the part of contemporary sports administrators in legal literacy as it impacts upon their profession. The results of the study also tend to indicate a level of resistance on the part of the contemporary sports administrators studied to take the necessary steps to achieve a higher level of sports-related legal literacy. In light of the litigious nature of modern society, such attitudes fall below the level of acceptability in the profession. This study recommends didactic changes in terms of curriculum for sports administration and continuing education programs to both heighten the level of legal awareness and preparedness of contemporary sports administrators.