Editorial on Steroids in Sports: I have not yet contributed to the ongoing conversation about steroids and sports, especially baseball. For now, you can read fantastic writing at Only Baseball Matters and Baseball Musings. In addition, Joe Biden, who authored the 1990 law that made steroid trafficking illegal, writes in USA Today that the players' unions in the professional leagues must step up and take strong stances against drug use.

Editorial on Steroids in Sports: I have not yet contributed to the ongoing conversation about steroids and sports, especially baseball. For now, you can read fantastic writing at Only Baseball Matters and Baseball Musings. In addition, Joe Biden, who authored the 1990 law that made steroid trafficking illegal, writes in USA Today that the players' unions in the professional leagues must step up and take strong stances against drug use.

More on Oregon Arena Bankruptcy: In an update to this earlier post, the Oregonian has more on the Oregon Arena bankruptcy. The article states that the company was profitable up until last year, when earnings dropped by 16 percent.

Union to Fight Owens Trade: In the continuing saga of the world's best-paid three year-old, the NFL Player's Association is seeking to rescind the trade of Terrell Owens to the Baltimore Ravens and have him declared a free agent. And why shouldn't the trade be rescinded? After all, Owens did not get exactly what he wants. And it is not his fault that he missed the deadline that every other player that wanted to be a free agent met. He is a big important person -- he cannot be expected to do what everyone else does and play for the team to which he is under contract.



I think it says a lot that the 49ers gave up arguably the best receiver in the game for only a 2nd round draft pick. A team should have offered them a pack of Wrigley's Spearmint gum -- they might have jumped at the chance to get rid of this distraction.

Orioles Increasing DC Presence: In an effort to increase their presence in the Washington, DC area, the Baltimore Orioles have hired a public relations firm and have plans to spend $1 million in a new ad campaign. By doing this, the Orioles hope to prevent Major League Baseball from moving a team into the DC area by proving that it would severely impact their fan base. Orioles owner Peter Angelos has been a vocal opponent of any such plans, saying it would have a severe impact on his team.

Legal Implications of Rushing the Court: College basketball season always means great games, come-from-behind wins and upsets. Following those upsets and great games, intense student fans often try and become part of the moment and the team by leaving the stands and rushing onto the court. A number of prominent coaches, including Louisville's Rick Pitino, have complained about the practice, saying they often feel in danger of injury from the onslaught of fans. Despite this threat, however, few schools have taken measures to curtail the wave of students at the end of the game.



Unfortunately, it may take a serious injury or other tragedy for schools to crack down on students leaving the stands. At many schools, fans must climb over members of the press and race past non-student fans to get down on court level. On a number of broadcasts, prominent ESPN announcer Dick Vitale has admitted his fear at the end of games, saying that the students "came right over him." On the floor, opposing coaches and teams often have trouble dodging the mob and getting into the locker room. How long will it take before a rowdy fan incites an emotional player, causing a fight that could turn into a melee? Or before a member of the media is trampled by a rushing crowd, causing serious injury?



In this case, could the host school be held liable for the injuries? I would think that the school and the arena management company, if different, could both possibly be held liable for the injuries. Arena management has the duty to provide a safe environment for all players and patrons, before, during and after the game. At professional sporting events, such as the World Series, extra security is brought in to ensure that fans remain off the field during any celebrations. There is no reason why college arenas could not provide the same level of protection. Students rushing the court could have their tickets revoked for the remainder of the year, or they could be subject to disciplinary action by the university. Yes, the punishment may be harsh, but after it was imposed on a group of students, rushing the court would no longer be considered by student bodies.



There are other alternatives, especially in college venues. At many colleges, the coach has a considerable amount of influence on their student sections. Earlier this year, Maryland coach Gary Williams gave a speech to his students, asking them to refrain from yelling obscene chants and wearing t-shirts with profanity. If Williams, or a coach with similar stature, asked his students not to rush the court, most if not all fans would comply. Those that did not could be punished. At Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, stadium officials use a simple system to keep students in the stands. At the buzzer, a rope is quickly stretched across both sides of the student section. While seemingly a small deterrent, the rope holds the students back, allowing both teams to shake hands and leave the floor. Only at this time can students come onto the floor (which at Duke is the way most students exit). However, the measure prevents the greatest danger, the unthinking mob rush onto the floor.



Universities have incredible liability at stake -- anyone injured in such an incident will not sue the student, because the university surely has "deeper pockets." In order to protect themselves, schools and arenas should take the steps necessary to keep students where fans belong -- off the court and in the stands. It should not take a grave injury for colleges to act -- if the schools act now, injuries can be avoided and everyone can celebrate in a safe atmosphere.



Update: Skip Sauer informs me that such an injury recently occurred at a high school basketball game in Tucson. This highlights the dangers of rushing the court and the urgent need for increased security measures. Best wishes for the recovery of this student and for procedures that will prevent similar avoidable tragedies in the future.



Update For legal precedent on related issues, see this post. For more examples of injuries that have already occurred and what some schools are doing, see this post.

High Schoolers Headed to NFL: Six high school athletes and one junior college player have declared for the NFL draft. Along with Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams, this makes only nine players that have declared for early entry in this year's NFL draft. For those who predicted doom for the NFL in the wake of the Clarett decision, this comes as good news. The success of the high schoolers in the draft will most likely have a great impact on the decisions of future high schoolers. None of the players is projected as one of the top-25 at their position.