After six sessions in Europe and one in Asia, the MESGO team made their way to New York from 23 to 26 April 2024 to learn more about the North American sports model.
Co-directed by Francesc Solanellas, Professor of Sports Management at the National Institute of Physical Education (INEFC) and Jean-François Brocard, Associate Professor and Economist at the Centre for Law and Economics of Sport (CDES), this eighth session aimed to present the organisation of sport in North America from a legal, economic and sociological perspective.
Francesc Solanellas, session co-director and Professor of Sports Management, INEFC.
Jean-François Brocard, session co-director and Associate Professor and Economist, CDES Limoges.
During the four-day session, the MESGO group was hosted at key locations such as Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), St John’s University and Major League Baseball.
The participants had the opportunity to discuss with distinguished speakers the unique characteristics of the American sport system, such as salary caps, the draft and revenue-sharing systems, as well as the organisation and importance of North American college sports.
At the MLS: Presentation about Ethics and Values in Sports – Some Case Studies from the Soccer World & Elsewhere by Sunil Gulati (former President, U.S. Soccer Federation).
At the MLS: Presentation of the NWSL by Tatjana Heanni (Chief Sporting Director, National Women’s Soccer League).
At the NBA: Presentation about the main regulatory mechanisms – finances, labour market by Matt Doria (Vice President of Salary Cap Management, NBA) and Alex Roth (Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of League Governance and Policy, NBA).
At NBA: Presentation about promotion of gender equality & fight against discrimination in American sport by Ashleigh Huffman (VP of Global Engagement, Institute for Sport & Social Justice and former Chief of Sports Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State).
At St John’s University: Presentation about College sport by David P. Hedlund (Ph.D., Professor and Chaiperson, Division of Sport Management, Collins College of Professional Studies, St John’s University).
At St John’s University: Round table discussion about Sports Agents and Labour Markets with Matteo Zuretti (Chief International Relations and Marketing, NBPA) and Rizvan Magomedov (President of Dominance, MMA).
At MLB: Welcome speech by Patrick Houlihan (Executive Vice President, Labor Relations, MLB).
At MLB: An overview of Baseball’s Minor League Organization by Allison Creekmore (Vice President, Minor League Baseball Business Operations, MLB) and Mike LaCassa (Senior Director, Player Development, MLB).
On the Wednesday evening, participants had the privilege to experience a beautiful New York City sunset and illuminated cityscape during a dinner cruise.
The next and final MESGO VII session will take place in Silicon Valley from 29 April to 2 May and will focus on leadership and innovation.