Cincinnati, OH

January 25, 2018

On January 18, 2018, KMG’s Jon Schroeder (NKU Chase College of Law), along with his teammate Tyler Noonan (NKU Chase College of Law) competed against 35 of the top law schools in the 2018 Tulane Law School International Baseball Arbitration Competition.  The students were coached by KMG’s President of Baseball Operations, Jesse Taylor.

“The competition is a great platform for the law students and gives them the opportunity to hone their oral advocacy skills and legal writing skills.  There is nothing more beneficial than being outside of the classroom and applying the skills you have learned in front of individuals who do this line of work for a living,” quoted Jesse Taylor about the competition.  There were numerous guest arbitrators, including MLBPA Certified Agents, MLB Club Executives, and MLBPA In-House Counsel.

The law students were asked to prepare four legal briefs in anticipation of the arbitration hearing as counsel for either a Player or a MLB Team.  The information the Player and Team can use during the hearing to present their case is governed by Article VI, Section E, Part 10 (a) & (b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  The students needed to familiarize themselves with the CBA to understand what arguments should be formed, which is similar to reading and analyzing statutes or regulations in the legal world.   The criteria for arguments were as follows: (1) the quality of the Player’s contribution to his Club during the past season (including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal); (2) the length and consistency of his career contribution; (3) the record of the Player’s past compensation; (4) comparative baseball salaries; (5) the existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the Player; and (6) the recent performance record of the Club including but not limited to its League standing and attendance as an indication of public acceptance.  Upon completion of the written briefs that were submitted on behalf of their client (Player or Team), the students were asked to prepare fifteen minute opening remarks on behalf on their client, as well as a seven and a half minute rebuttal.  Along with the opening remarks and rebuttals, the students were to prepare exhibits on behalf of their client.  This was no small task as the students were asked to not only research the player at question, but to do diligent research on several comparable players that went through similar circumstances in arbitration in years past.

The experience is invaluable for a law student.  Rarely does a student get the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills before graduating law school and passing the bar exam.  Gaining this type of practical experience is vital to the growth of KMG Sports and vital to the growth of the participating law students.  Jon and Tyler spent countless hours preparing for this competition and their hard work and dedication will help them in their journey of working in the competitive business of sports and will give them a leg up on the competition.