All posts tagged: college athletics

So You Want To Be A Sports Lawyer?

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I receive a lot of inquiries from law students, recent graduates, and even senior lawyers asking for advice about breaking into sports law. Many of these messages come from students and lawyers from other states who follow me on social media or who have attended panels or seminars where I served as a featured speaker. It is truly humbling. I am always open to talking with anyone in the legal profession who shares my passion for sports law and the commitment to the analytical, negotiation, and drafting skills that this practice area demands. But the harsh reality is that getting a job in sports law is often not based on merit alone. The selection process is heavily weighted towards relationships and prior experience. Everyone wants in on sports; practicing in this area brings with it a certain “cool” factor. People will work harder to be a sports lawyer, many will take a pay cut just get in the door. But getting those jobs are often based just as much on good timing and personal contacts …

Rutgers: Sued for Keeping Up with the Jones’ 

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On March 31, a class action lawsuit was filed against Rutgers University, led by Rutgers graduate and New Jersey resident, Hector Rodriguez. The complaint alleges that since Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference in 2014, the University has misappropriated funds by diverting operating revenues from state taxes, tuition, and mandatory student fees to support the failing athletic program. The first charge alleges that the University leadership breached their fiduciary duties by continuing to fund the athletics program despite their knowledge of the magnitude of its losses. The second charge asks for declaratory judgement declaring that the athletics expenditures are unlawful and a waste of public funds.  The lawsuit was filed in response to the fiscal report released by the University in early 2026 showing that the 2025 athletics deficit was over $70 million, the third time in the last five years. Since 2014, the total deficit has grown to $526 million. Rutgers is not the only school operating in an athletics budget deficit. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 98.6% of the 2,023 colleges and universities …