6. Article 16 of MLS CBA: “The Player and
MLS acknowledge and agree that the
Player’s participation in other sports or
activities may impair or destroy his ability
and skill as a soccer player. Accordingly,
the Player agrees that he will not engage in
sports or activities which constitute a
substantial danger to his health or safety
(including, but not limited to, American or
Canadian football, boxing or wrestling,
Sample Contract Clause
7. motorcycling, moped-riding, auto racing,
sky-diving, in-line skating, down-hill snow
skiing, mountain biking, bicycle racing,
mountain-rock climbing and rappelling,
spelunking and hang-gliding); and that,
except with the prior written consent of, or
at the direction of, the Team or MLS, he will
not (except for casual family activities)
engage in any game or exhibition of
basketball, football, baseball, softball,
Sample Contract Clause
8. Sample Contract Clause
tennis, volleyball, hockey, lacrosse, beach
soccer or other athletic sport, under penalty
of such fine and/or suspension as may be
imposed by the Team or MLS. Failure by
MLS or the Team to object to a Player’s
participation in other athletic sports will not
constitute implied consent to future
participation in such activities. Nothing
contained herein shall be intended to
require the Player to obtain the written
9. Sample Contract Clause
consent of the Team or MLS in order to
enable the Player to participate, as an
amateur, in the sport of golf, swimming or
hiking (not including ice climbing or other
hiking requiring crampons or other special
equipment).”
10. BREAKING NEWS!
Ron Gant injured in motorcycle accident
Jeff Kent’s alleged car wash accident linked to
motorcycle
Rodman ditches Jordan for Hollywood Hulk
Hogan in rematch with Karl Malone
David Beckham to fly back to England to honor
commitment to national team
Yao hustling to recover in time for Olympics
David West practices boxing during offseason?
11. BREAKING NEWS!
Titans request restraining order to keep “Pacman”
Jones out of the wrestling ring
T. O. calls timeout, asks for permission to play in
NBA Summer League
Out for the season, injured Uwe Krupp spotted
dogsledding several times
Lance Berkman injured playing flag football
Is exhaustion to blame for playoff struggles of
Steve Nash?
12. BREAKING NEWS!
Jay Williams may have traded career for a few
motorcycle rides
Winslow, Roethlisberger share the same pain
New starting point guard Ellis suffers injured ankle
in moped accident, not pickup basketball game
Tony Gonzalez playing for Miami Heat in NBA
Summer League
A-Rod joins Yankees after Aaron Boone tears
ACL on a basketball court
13. BREAKING NEWS!
Radmanovic lied about snowboarding injury, said
he was hurt falling on ice while walking
Should MLB follow the lead of other sports
leagues in sending top-level pros to Olympics?
Despite Lithuanian petition, Cavs deny Z his
Olympic dream
Johnny Damon spotted at wrestling event
Should Ginobili sit out Argentina’s medal
defense?
17. Professional Wrestling
Adam “Pacman” Jones
Football player wanting to professionally wrestle
Tennessee Titans, 2007
Under league suspension
Standard “Other Activities” Clause, league-wide
19. “The Motorcycle Clause”
Jay Williams
Basketball player riding a motorcycle
Chicago Bulls, 2003
Standard “Other Athletic Activities” Clause,
league-wide
20. “The Motorcycle Clause”
Other recent motorcycling accidents
include:
Kellen Winslow Jr.
Ben Roethlisberger
21. “The Motorcycle Clause”
Terry Bradshaw, to Ben Roethlisberger
after Winslow’s accident:
“Ride it when you retire.”
22. “The Motorcycle Clause”
Phil Savage after Ben Roethlisberger’s
accident:
“I wish all our players liked
board games or low-risk
hobbies.”
25. Banned Activities Clauses
Not a new phenomenon
In the signed contract
Standards negotiated by players’
associations
Player specific examples
26. Ethical Issues
Freedom/right to live
Pursuing dreams and taking on honors
Consistency vs. leniency and favoritism
Players’ duty to perform
Teams’ (employers) obligation of helping
players’ (employees)
