Sports governing bodies and player welfare: examining the proposed NFL and NCAA concussion settlements

IMPACT ON NFL
- It allows the NFL to settle a potentially devastating lawsuit and even though there is no cap on the possible damages the league might be liable for, the settlement allows the league to move forward.
- The only players eligible to receive money under the settlement are those who have already retired.
- The settlement could end up saving the NFL years of protracted litigation over allegations that its executives hid or ignored evidence that concussions can cause brain damage with long-lasting health implications.
- It allows the NFL to challenge the eligibility of the players to receive cash awards, thereby protecting the league from a flood of former players without neurological damage suffered while playing football from trying to collect damages.
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- Tags: 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil | American Football | College Sport | Governance | National Football League (NFL) | NCAA | Regulation | United States of America (USA)
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About the Author
John Wolohan
John Wolohan is an Attorney and Professor of Sports Law in the Syracuse University Sport Management program and an Adjunct Professor in the Syracuse University College of Law. In addition to being one of the lead editors of the book "Law for Recreation and Sport Managers" by Cotten and Wolohan, John has been teaching and working in the fields of doping, antitrust, gaming law, and sports media rights for over 25 years.