OT: Caleb Williams doesn't want to play for the Bears and may return to USC

Football
123

Probably for the same reason as MLB.

Over a century ago, the USSC held that pro baseball isn’t interstate commerce, and as such, was beyond the scope of federal anti-trust regulation.

Federal Baseball Club v. National League - Wikipedia.

The same reasoning would arguably be true of other major professional sports leagues as well.

Since then, this decision has not been applied to other leagues and has been limited in subsequent rulings.

But I imagine that this is why there is an overall reluctance to view pro leagues as interstate commerce and submit them to anti-trust scrutiny.

124

Actually he can say no to the NFL and go work in the UFL or the CFL. He just won’t make the same money.

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126

See Flood v Kuhn* which partially overturned Baseball Club v National League. That was the case that basically allowed free agency. What saved Baseball was that Congress had granted baseball, and baseball only, an anti-trust exemption, and the Court refused to overturn or invalidate it.**

127

Good point. Here is the question: if he went to the UFL or XFL, could he come to the NFL as a free agent and sign with whichever team he wanted? If so, then I would agree with you.

128

Its been so long since its happened say a team drafts a guy and he doesn’t sign with them does he go in the next draft or do teams hold his rights for life or if another team wants him do they have to trade his rights.

Google search yielded this

If a team doesn’t sign a player he goes back into the draft.

129

I know Williams won a Heisman Trophy, but it sounds like he is a finalist for the Diva Trophy.

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130

A potential employee making a choice.

Good for him.

131

I understand what he was trying to do but this would have landed him in prison for a long time.

132

I assume (maybe incorrectly) that the LLC was an attempt to avoid/reduce income taxes? IS there some other reason for it?

133

Nope. Just tax evasion

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134

SC said in past ruling a person has the right to limit the taxes they pay but not a right to avoid paying them

135

Maybe something like this?

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136

Smart man.

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137

lol