This document discusses the history and increasing importance of risk management in sport. It notes that litigation now involves all levels of sport, from youth to professional, and risk management is important to protect participants from injury and organizations from lawsuits. The number of legal publications on sport law increased from just 5 in the 1970s to over 80 by the 1990s, reflecting the rise in sport-related litigation. In the 1970s risk management began being applied to sport organizations and facilities to help prevent losses and emphasize safety. A center was created in the 1980s to conduct risk assessments and help sport programs implement necessary safety measures and risk management practices.

1. Risk Management in Sport:
Issues and Strategies, 3rd Edition
Chapter 1
Introduction
Herb Appenzeller
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller.
All rights reserved.

2. Risk Management in Sport
• There is diversity in sport in the 21st century.
• Issues involve more than contract disputes or allegations of
negligence.
• Litigation involves all who are associated with sport, from
Little League to professional sports.
• The key is diversity that has an impact on the sport industry.
• Risk management in the 21st century is a companion to sport
law.
• Risk management is important to protect participants from
injury and organizations from damaging lawsuits.
• From The Gym To The Jury, a sport law and risk management
newsletter indicates the scope of litigation and its enormous
awards.
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.

3. Sport Publications:
A Response to Sport Litigation
• SSLASPA—an organization for the legal aspects of sport is now
Sport Recreation Law Association (SRLA) lists the increase in
sport law publications.
• SRLA reports only 5 legal publications in the 1970s. Herb
Appenzeller had 3 of those publications: From The Gym to
The Jury, Athletics and the Law and Physical Education and the
Law.
• In the 1980s the number of sport law publications increased
to 43.
• In the 1990s law-related texts increased from 5 to 1970s to 89
texts. The increase was due to an accompanying number of
lawsuits.
• The 1990s also recorded texts dealing with risk management.
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.

4. The Rise of Sport Management
• In the 1970s risk management became a familiar term.
• Prior to 1970, risk management was associated with business,
insurance and the medical professions.
• As risk management becomes important preventing loss
exposure to the sport industry and safety is emphasized.
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.

5. Center for Sport Law
and Risk Management
• Ron Baron, a sport law attorney, created the Center for Sport
Law and Risk Management in Dallas, Texas.
• After years of sport law liability experience, Herb Appenzeller
joined the Center in 1983 and put theory into practice.
• The Center conducted risk assessments across the nation at
sport venues, colleges and universities and other sport
facilities.
• Risk management is essential to all sport programs to provide
necessary safety measures.
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.

6. The Importance of
Risk Management
• Accidents and injuries will occur even in the safest sport
programs.
• In too many instances, the sport administrator has given risk
management a low priority.
• According to Ron Baron, “risk management should help
administrators secure adequate insurance coverage, and
develop safe programs to protect all who are involved in the
operation of the sport.”
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.

7. The full set of PowerPoint slides is
available upon adoption.
Email bhall@cap-press.com
for more information.
Copyright © 2013 Herb Appenzeller. All rights reserved.