The University of Inland Norway and the Asser International Sports Law Centre invite the submission of abstracts for a workshop in Lillehammer on 4 and 5 December exploring the role of long-term contracts in sport and their characteristics through a variety of theoretical and methodological lenses.
Contracts play a crucial role in the world of sport, particularly long-term contracts. Contractual agreements form the foundation of transnational sports governance, SGBs are all formally the product of a specific time of contract (be it in the form of an association or corporation) often justifying the autonomy of sport and its private governance at a (more or less far) distance from the state.
Moreover, contracts establish long-term commitments between the parties involved, raising a variety of questions regarding the asymmetry in their positions, the scope of party autonomy, contractual mechanisms for addressing uncertainty, and their interaction with domestic and international mandatory regulations, among others. In short, it is impossible to fully understand the operation and limitations of transnational sports law and governance without investigating the many ways in which it is embedded in long-term contracts ruled by a variety of contract laws.
This workshop proposes to explore the role of long-term contracts in sport and their characteristics through a variety of theoretical and methodological lenses.
We welcome proposals touching on the following issues/case studies:
- The concept of time in sport and the definition of ‘long-term’ in sport-related contracts;
- The function of long-term contracts in transnational sports governance;
- The function of long-term contracts in the operation of private dispute resolution mechanisms (CAS, BAT, FIFA DRC);
- The transactional nature of long-term contracts in sport;
- The relational nature of long-term contracts in sport;
- The conflict between private autonomy and long-term contracts in sport;
- The intersection between private and public in the operation of long-term contracts in sport;
- Specific contractual arrangements, including:
- Contracts of association and SGBs
- Long-term (labour) contracts with athletes and coaches;
- Contracts related to the organization of mega-sporting events, including host city contracts;
- TV and media long-term contracts;
- Sponsorship agreements;
- and more.
Abstracts must be sent to Yuliya Chernykh (yuliya.chernykh@inn.no) by 15 June.
Since 2022, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, in collaboration with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, is organising the first yearly summer course on the intersection of sport and human rights. This 4th edition brings together scholars specialised in the intersection between sport and human rights with professionals working in international sport to ensure respect for human rights. We will explore contemporary human rights challenges in sports, such as the protections of human rights at mega-sporting events, access to remedy in human rights cases within the world of sport, the intersection between human rights and gender rights in international sporting competitions, and many more.
The programme is designed to provide both deep background knowledge and actionnable insights, which will be relevant to a range of participants committed to defending human rights in international sport, including students, junior researchers, representatives of CSOs, sporting organisations, and athletes. It is structured around half days taking place online meant to accommodate as many participants as possible throughout the world.
Check out the latest draft programme below and register HERE!