Legal Treatment of Anti-Competitive Practices in Sports and the Role of Antitrust Law in India

In India and across the world, the organized sports business has undergone an unexpectedly impressive development. On the other extreme, highly competitive sports have adopted uncommon practices. For instance, one growing industry that has recently gained notoriety and is already making money on a global basis is electronic sports. Given how quickly and diversely the world of sports is evolving, it is crucial that the laws governing it adapt as well. Sports and athletics have been governed by antitrust law for many years, and over time, the relationship between the two has changed significantly. The distinctive aspect of applying antitrust law to the sports business is that it inherently requires competition, preserving the interest of viewers in the fundamental principles of all sports. Assuring competition for the growth of the sports sector is in direct opposition to the dominant nature of many sports federations, who attempt to control the sport rather than assure fair play. This model of applying antitrust legislation to the sports industry would enhance sports governance and administration, which are the main contributors to India's appalling state of affairs in sports administration.