Originally from Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation

PAGE PREVIEW

Professional football is still the most popular U.S. sport.Darren Rovell, NFL Most Popular for 30th year in row, ESPN (Jan. 26, 2014)(available at http://es.pn/2rDqF80). Despite recent ratings declines, the sport is still a dominant television force; the 2015 and 2014 Super Bowls were the most-watched television events in U.S. history. Eyder Peralta, “Super Bowl XLIX Was Most Watched Show in TV History,” NPR (Feb. 2, 2015)(available at http://n.pr/2ixZ0U7). Despite this season’s ratings declines, the Feb. 4 New England PatriotsPhiladelphia Eagles matchup will surely rank among the top-viewed games in history.

The National Football League is professional football’s governing body, and is led by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who acts as the NFL chief executive overseeing all 32 NFL teams. Among his vast powers include resolving disputes with “full, complete, and final jurisdiction to arbitrate any dispute between any player, coach, and/or other employee of any member of the League (or any combination thereof) and any member club or clubs.” National Football League Constitution and Bylaws, Nat’l Football League 28 (2006)(available at http://bit.ly/1K9iQZf)(referred to below as the NFL Constitution and Bylaws).