When sports law students look at former players who helped reshape professional sports off the field, the first name that usually comes up is Curt Flood. After Curt Flood, one of the next names mentioned will be John Mackey. John Mackey not only set new standards in the NFL for the tight end position, he was one of the first to champion the rights of  players in the NFL. It was John Mackey who led the fight to do away with the Rozelle Rule and gain real free agency in the NFL. Though true free agency would not arrive for almost another 20 years after the Mackey case, it was Mackey that helped pave the way.  Mackey was also the first president of the  NFLPA after the merger of the NFL and AFL.

To review John Mackey v. NFL, click on this link.

NCAA will fight for academic integrity

We are aware of the litigation. Academic integrity is critically important to intercollegiate athletics and something that is expected from all student-athletes. As a result, the NCAA plans to vigorously defend the process by which penalties related to academic misconduct are ultimately determined by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, comprised of representatives from member institutions.