Underpaid Sports Lawsuits

Lawsuits are becoming a very common occurrence in today’s society. While a majority of lawsuits are to settle legitimate disagreements, some lawsuits have no legitimate grounds to the argument being made. Lawsuits in the sports world are no different. A majority of sports lawsuits are products of former athletes who, after their careers are over, decide to launch into action against their leagues or teams. Some lawsuits are completely unnecessary and may not have any positive effect on those filing the lawsuit. Athletes should not be able to sue their employers for reasons such as injuries, mental illness and wages as they accept the risks and conditions that are generally known to occur while playing their sport. Injuries in sports may be …show more content…
This idea has been seen recently in the Canadian Hockey League where a lawsuit was filed against the league over the wages the athletes are being paid. The lawsuit filed by Sam Berg, an 18 year old forward for the Niagara Ice Dogs, in October 2014 includes more than 1,300 other former junior hockey players.They claim that during their time in their respective leagues they were underpaid, earning anywhere from $50-$65 per week between the ages of 16 and 19, and jumped to around $150 per week in their final season at age 20. They player’s noted that this weekly allowance does not provide minimum wage for the number of hours out in during the week long period. The league claims that the players under the age of 19 are not considered employees but rather student athletes as they continue to attend school throughout the season. The players, however, believe they must be considered employees as they are held to the same standards that a company would require from its employees. The athletes involved in the lawsuit also claim that some incentives that were used in order to recruit them were not offered prior to a certain point in their career. For example, Sam Berg attempted to collect on his education package, which allows athletes to continue with their post secondary education after their CHL career is over, but was denied. Throughout …show more content…
For me the opportunity to play in front of thousands of crazed hockey fans every nights, in state of the art NHL like facilities, on National TV, in front of NHL scouts, wearing top of the line equipment, learning from some of the greatest minds in (the) game, signing autographs, learning the realities of life, making friendships and connections that will last a life time was worth far more than a minimum wage salary. After four of the best years of my life the CHL is currently paying for my entire post secondary education. On top of that because of the life skills I had learned and my development on the ice like most other CHL grads I qualified for an additional scholarship from the university. To get up, go to the rink and do something you love to do is not a job, to spend 6 hours on a bus traveling across the province, watching movies and playing cards, with your best buddies is not a job, and to step onto the ice surface in front of millions of people who wish they were you is not a job. Getting your education paid for is a bonus, for me the life skills, memories and connections you make are worth far more.” (Abraham,

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