The Certification in Sports & Entertainment Law is for professionals and business owners who need to learn about topics such as:
- The rules, regulations, and governing bodies of sports agents in different sports
- The business and legal issues relating to sport organizations
- Types of lotteries and gambling permitted in Florida
- The concepts of intellectual property, contracts, and merchandising, and how they intersect in the entertainment space
You will learn from elite lawyers, thereby gaining real, practical knowledge that will help you and your organization.
A monumental shift occurred in the collegiate sports landscape in 2021 when student-athletes became able to profit off of their name, image, and likeness. These new changes make it crucial to know and understand employment laws, intellectual property laws, contract laws, and antitrust laws when representing athletes or regarding sport organizations. With the expansion of the gambling market in Florida, it is crucial to understand the legalities of conducting gambling activities and lotteries in Florida.
After completing the certification, you will have the skills necessary to advance your career in the sports and entertainment industries. You will be familiar with the business and legal aspects of the industry and have the tools to succeed in the highly competitive sports and entertainment market.
Florida State University College of Law is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDC) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. Fundamentals of Employment & Human Resources Law, Workplace Investigations, and Employment Discrimination are SHRM approved at this time.
Courses
Sports Agency, NCAA & NIL Marketing
Understand how to become a sports agent. Explore the history of the NCAA and how it has impacted the jobs of sports agents. Study the crucial legal cases that shaped the NCAA and sports agents’ roles. Learn about name, image, and likeness in the NCAA and how it affects sports agents.
Instructors: Paul Aloise, Brooks LeBoeuf Foster Gwartney & Hobbs, P.A., and Will Hall, Dean Mead & Dunbar
Sports Business and the Law
This course will provide an overview of the business and legal issues relating to sport organizations (including leagues, venues, and competitors) as an industry, including matters such as intellectual property, corporate organization, sports gambling, media rights, and athlete eligibility.
Instructors: Ben Odom, NASCAR, and Kelsey Copeland, LPGA
Professional Basketball Representation
Gain a rare and detailed overview of athlete representation for professional basketball players and analyze the basketball representation process including NCAA eligibility, the NBA draft, NBA contracts, international basketball agreements, marketing agreements, and name, image, and likeness. Explore the contracts agents negotiate while representing student-athletes and professional basketball players.
Instructor: Adam Adubato, SVP Basketball Operations, Morgan Sports Group
The Ins and Outs of Gambling in Florida
This course will present a detailed look at gambling laws that impact Floridians. It will focus on Florida statutes, rules, and interpretive court and administrative rulings which define the boundaries of legalized gambling in our state. An overview of federal law and its impact on gambling in Florida will also be discussed.
Instructors: Marc Dunbar, Dean, Mead & Dunbar
This course is coming soon!
Instructors
Adam Adubato
SVP Basketball Operations, Morgan Sports Group
Adubato teaches Professional Basketball Representation
Paul Aloise
Brooks LeBoeuf Foster Gwartney & Hobbs, P.A.
Aloise co-teaches Sports Agency, NCAA & Nil Marketing
Kelsey Copeland
LGPA
Copeland co-teaches teaches Sports Business and the Law
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should enroll in these courses?
- Any person aspiring to become a sports agent or those interested in learning about sports law, the NCAA, or how to better understand name, image, and likeness laws.
- Any professional working within a sport organization who desires to learn more about the legal issues within sports business, or any professional that desires a transition into a sports business profession.
- Any business professional who works in the gaming industry or who wishes to learn more about the intricacies of gaming laws.
Can I just take one of the above courses?
Yes. While learners must take every course listed above to earn the Certification in Sports and Entertainment Law, they may also choose to take any of the courses as stand-alone classes.
How long is each course?
Each course has five to six weeks of content, but learners will have eight weeks to complete the requirements.
How much time should I expect to spend on classwork every week?
For each course, learners can expect to spend four to eight hours per week reviewing course content and engaging in interactive videos and discussion board conversations. Additionally, one in-person check-in with the instructor is required prior to the final assessment.
Will I need to purchase any textbooks or other required course materials?
No. The IAPP book as well as CIPP materials will be provided, and downloadable forms, transcripts, and other useful resources will also be made available to all learners.
How are the courses graded?
Courses are offered on a pass/fail basis. Learners must participate in the online check-in with their instructor prior to the final assessment and must score at least 75% on the final assessment to complete each course.
In these completely virtual courses, how will I interact with others?
The innovative learning format of these courses allows hardworking professionals to conveniently meet, collaborate, and network with other business professionals. Discussion boards and check-ins with the instructor will allow for engaging conversations.
Can I use the information obtained in these courses as legal advice?
The information provided in each of the above courses does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. The course information serves educational and informational purposes, but the Stoops Center for Law and Business expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken by course participants based on any or all of the information or other content provided by these courses.
Disclaimer: Please note that participation in the Sports and Entertainment Law Certification program (a) will not result in a degree from, alumni status with, or earned credit at Florida State University or FSU College of Law (or, to FSU's knowledge, any other institution), (b) will not be recorded on a Florida State University or FSU College of Law transcript, and (c) does not guarantee or suggest that a participant will be admitted to Florida State University, FSU College of Law, or to any other university or institution.
If you have questions and would like to speak with a member of the Stoops Center team, please contact us at stoopscolab@fsu.edu or 850.645.0071.