Sports have a profound impact on communities. Through the Denville Baseball youth sports program, families come together around their shared goal, and when they succeed, everyone rejoices! But there is one dark cloud on even the sunniest days – the specter of litigation. And while it’s true that Denville baseball and family may not be synonymous, many local youth sports organizations face a host of legal matters, from team contracts to insurance issues. Eliades Law Firm offers all-in-one services and guidance that helps organizations coordinate structure, tackle liability issues, and manage outside, sponsor-driven finances. As all-inclusive lawyers, we can help MLB players as well as local youth sports organizations. Planning for the worst is the best way to keep running – and winning – games.

The world of sports at the community level often differs from the big leagues, but there are still many serious matters to consider. For instance, teams often have contracts with sponsors, or cross-promote between leagues through sponsorship, which means liability and sponsorship agreements likely exist. A local team may need to protect itself against liability, which can be caused by accidents (slip and fall cases), third-parties (party hosts, sexual abuse/entrapment), and auto collision cases.

One of the major areas on which organizations like Denville Baseball need to focus is liability. Players, parents, and coaches can be injured on or off the field, and sports organizations need to be prepared. One might assume that simply holding a sports event absolves the organizers from responsibility. A few notable caveats, however, are that some cases aren’t technically covered by state laws, and many athletes will often be playing under school-time conditions, not league conditions. And if players are injured at an event hosted by an organization they play for, the organization might be liable for negligence. By engaging in contracts and constructive discussions with each other and with other team parents, sports organizations can work to limit liability.

While all-in-one services are available to help in the case of injuries, planned events, and liability, it’s just as important to seek legal advice prior to a team’s first game. Perhaps, for instance, an accident happened at an event last year. This means that a plan must be in place to prevent events like that from occurring in the future. Knowing that you have a legal expert in the wings, patiently watching to help you with any specific needs or issues, can help a family-friendly team (like Denville Baseball) treat long-standing issues or anticipate future events and build a plan together.

The primary issues that a youth league, amateur, and anyone who plays or watches sports should consider include:

After establishing the potential risks, we can review team contracts, sponsors, and team finances. For example, does a sponsor have a say in what happens if the event is cancelled? Someone else could be held liable in that case. In fact, a team could go bankrupt as a result of falling into the trap of agreeing to sponsor / contract terms without seeking legal advice. That’s the danger of remaining unaware of the potential liabilities inherent in every legal agreement.

Sport sponsorships are big business, and most of that money is made by non-sporting entities. For instance, a neighborhood business might provide funds in exchange for sign advertising, which means that the business has to honor its contract no matter what. If that means the team has to ask its players to sacrifice using a local field, so be it. Eliades Law firm understands how to approach this delicate balancing act, knowing that what seems reasonable is sometimes forbidden under law.

So, at what point should you find an all-in-one solution provider that can offer help with your organization’s legal issues? This will vary from organization to organization. However, it’s helpful to have an experienced law firm at your side that helps with contracts, liability, injuries, disputes, and any other legal matters that arise. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but a local team will likely face similar needs.

We’ve seen the struggles that come with managing youth sports, and how that can impact family life. So, if your team or team members are facing legal matters, Eliades Law Firm is a community-friendly services provider that sees its role on par with any part of the team. If you’re involved in any aspect of a local youth sports organization, whether that’s as a parent, coach, neighbor, or business partner – we would love to see you at the baseball field! But for now, let’s talk about how we can help resolve any legal issues.

For more information on sports liability and legal considerations, you can visit NCAA Sports Law.

Posted in Uncategorized