Play Ball: What Can Be Done to Prevent Strikes and Lockouts in Professional Sports and Keep the Stadium Lights On

Baumann, Alexandra

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Play Ball: What Can Be Done to Prevent Strikes and Lockouts in Professional Sports and Keep the Stadium Lights On

National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary, Vol. 32, p. 251, 2012

59 Pages Posted: 30 Sep 2012

See all articles by Alexandra Baumann

Alexandra Baumann

Independent

Date Written: April 17, 2012

Abstract

Lockouts and strikes in professional sports have become increasingly more frequent. In 2011 there were lockouts in both the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). In addition, 2012 will likely bring a lockout in the National Hockey League (NHL). This comment analyzes the role that the National Labor Relations Board and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service play in ending strikes and lockouts caused by collective bargaining in professional sports. It then looks at what can be done to prevent lockouts and strikes in the future, which would not only benefit fans, but also stadium employees, players, and owners, as none of them make money if there are no games.

Keywords: FMCS, NLRB, lockout, strike, sports

JEL Classification: J52, K23

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Baumann, Alexandra, Play Ball: What Can Be Done to Prevent Strikes and Lockouts in Professional Sports and Keep the Stadium Lights On (April 17, 2012). National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary, Vol. 32, p. 251, 2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2154043