When professional athletes change sports: Sport development, sanctity of contract, and restraint of trade in the NRL

This case study provides insight into a current issue faced by sporting leagues—the movement of professional players to different sports. As the case illustrates, the movement of professional players across sport codes can have a profound impact on the management of sport development, the management of player contracts, and legal issues in restraint of trade.

► Sport development practices and pathways that allow player movement across codes and nations.
► Elite sport development and skills transfer between sports Contractual considerations for athletes and teams involved in international transfers.
► Consequences of salary cap restraints for teams and athletes.