Antitrust, Athlete Power, and New Legal Frontiers in Sports Law

In this episode, host Jeremy M. Evans explains how antitrust law has moved from the margins of sports law to the center of power—reshaping athlete leverage, league governance, and the business of sports. Jeremy examines how recent legal developments, including NIL reform and athlete-driven litigation, are challenging long-standing assumptions about competitive balance and economic control in both professional and collegiate sports. The episode breaks down why antitrust law has increasingly filled gaps left by fragmented labor and governance systems, and how athletes are emerging as meaningful market participants rather than passive stakeholders. Looking ahead, Jeremy discusses what these legal shifts mean for the future of league structure, media rights, and athlete organization—and why antitrust principles will continue to shape the next era of sports. This episode is essential listening for lawyers, executives, athletes, and anyone interested in the evolving intersection of sports, media, and labor law. (Season 8, Episode 5). Copyright 2026. California Sports Lawyer. All Rights Reserved. (www.CSLlegal.com) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.