Ralph Nader’s Sports Policy Project Recognizes Individuals and Organizations That Epitomize the Spirit of Sports and Promote Fair Play and Justice for all Stakeholders

Ralph Nader announced today the winners of the 2012 League of Fans’ “Sport At Its Best” awards. The individuals and organizations cited were honored for working toward a level playing field, [...]

Who has it better than professional sports franchise owners? The government has given them monopoly privileges and anti-trust exemptions. And local fans/taxpayers build them large sports palaces (and usually cover a major chunk of maintenance as well), while giving them virtually all revenues from naming rights, parking, and concessions. Oh, and don’t forget the big [...]

“Staged” Fights Being Examined

In a letter responding to Ralph Nader’s request to examine the practice of “staged or planned fighting” in the NHL — in terms of whether or not it is commercial boxing without a license — the office of California Attorney General Kamala Harris responded by agreeing “that the level [...]

Dear Mr. Nader,

Thank you for your letter, article and statutory excerpts regarding the practice of staged acts of violence conducted by the National Hockey League.

While we agree that the level of violence in hockey games has reached repugnant levels, the issue of whether these games or the conduct of these “staged fights” come [...]

An Open Letter to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman

April 18, 2012

Mr. Gary Bettman
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Dear Mr. Bettman:

It’s time for you to resign. The disturbing increase in head-hunting thuggery in this year’s NHL playoffs, along with your feeble response and denial of a problem, [...]

When considering whether or not the NHL’s staged fights are in fact boxing matches requiring a license, the following language from California Bus & Profs. Code Section 18625 could prove insightful.

California Bus & Profs. Code Section 18625 defines a “match” or “contest” as follows:

“”Contest” and “match” are synonymous, may be used interchangeably, include [...]