The Sport Professor Podcast

For generations, college athletics were built on a simple idea: regional rivalries, institutional identity, and a shared commitment to balancing education with competition. To universities maintain this principles, athletic conferences starting forming in the late 1800s. The conferences of this era were not formed to maximize profits, but for order - grouping like-minded schools together to create structure...

Since its inception, the structure of college athletics rested on a controlled system of athlete movement - one where transferring schools often meant sitting out a full season, losing momentum, and potentially sacrificing opportunity. But what if I told you in recent years this system has been completely upended? What if modern college athletes now operate in a marketplace where movement is not only possible, but expected and rewa...

For decades, the model of college sport was built on a simple idea: student-athletes were amateurs who proudly represented their institution on the playing field while receiving a college degree. But, what if I told you that the student-athlete experience has undergone its most radical transformation in over a century? What if the long-revered tradition of amateurism has been dismantled in favor of a professionalized, revenue-shari...

For many young athletes, the dream of playing college sport begins long before they ever step onto a college campus. It starts on high school fields, in early morning workouts, and in countless hours spent balancing academics, training, and competition - all with the hope of earning the opportunity to compete at the next level. Yet behind the highlight reels and signing day celebrations lies a far more complex journey: one shaped b...

From its earliest days, college athletics has been surrounded by ethical debate. Questions about whether sport even belongs on the college campus… how amateurism should be defined, and how institutions balance the health and well-being of student-athletes with the relentless pursuit of winning have shaped the development of intercollegiate athletics for more than a century.

Today, we explore how different ethical theories can help ...

Long before the landmark passage of Title IX in 1972, the landscape of women’s athletics was defined by a quiet but fierce rebellion against the restrictive dogmas of the 19th century. In an era where "experts" claimed women had a limited, fixed amount of energy that could be dangerously depleted by "brain labor" and physical exertion, female pioneers were already carving out space for sport on the American campus.

But what if I t...

Far predating the establishment of the NCAA in 1906, amateurism was a core concept underlying elite sport throughout the world. Dating all the way back to the ancient Olympic games, scholars declared that only those who participated in sport for the love of the game and character and moral growth that came from such pursuit were true amateurs and gentlemen. But, what if I told you true amateurism never existed... that it was an inv...

College sports have a the focal point of public controversy and debate since the 1850s. The NCAA was founded to address these issues in the early 1900s but has had minimal success. More specifically, they are seen as a polarizing entity, with stakeholders having strong feelings about a plethora of topics that make up the college sport debate.  This notion is voiced well by the current university president Gordon Gee, who stated in ...

Have you ever wondered how Tiger Woods and Cristiano Ronaldo have gone about creating brands worth hundreds of millions of dollars? Or why sport teams spend so much time creating unique team names, colors, mascots, and logos? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive the world of sport marketing and branding.  Beginning with an overview of what branding is and why it is so important (2:51), we then move to discuss ho...

Have you ever wondered how the EA Sports NCAA Football and NCAA Basketball video games almost caused the downfall of college sports? Or questioned what the future holds for college athletes and their ability to capitalize off their name, likeness, and image? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we conclude our three-part series deep diving the intersection of the Sherman Antitrust Act and sport, focusing this time on two of ...

Have you ever wondered how the NCAA can legally limit the movement of players from one university to another or restrict a student-athlete’s earning potential? Or have you ever stopped to ask why the NCAA can legally ban teams from playing postseason games?  If so, this is the podcast for you as today we continue our deep dive into the intersection of the Sherman Antitrust Act and sport, focusing this time on college athletics. Beg...

Have you ever wondered why Major League Baseball is exempt from antitrust legislation or why the federal government is always threatening to remove their exemption? Or why other leagues are treated differently than baseball, and what they must do to survive? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive one of the most important and influential laws in sport history… the Sherman Antitrust Act. Beginning with a brief hist...

Have you ever wondered what parts of a baseball stadium need to be covered by protective netting? Or if a spectator at The Masters could sue Augusta National for being hit by an errant drive?  If so, this is the podcast for you as today we continue our deep dive into torts in sport as we give you Part 2 of our breakdown of facility liability. Beginning with a quick reminder of the duties facility owners and operators owe invitees a...