From L to R: Rob Dickson, Bart Lambergman, Chima Okoli, Megan La Belle, Maddie Salamone, and Kevin Robinson Jr.

Catholic Law recently hosted an engaging program on current legal issues and their impact on college athletics. Sponsored by the Law and Technology Institute (LTI) as part of the Dean William Callahan Robinson Lecture Series, the event brought together students, alumni, legal professionals, and special guests, including the University’s Athletic Director, Kevin Robinson Jr., to discuss the evolving landscape of college sports. Professor Megan La Belle, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and co-director of LTI, highlighted the law school's rich history in intellectual property and technology law, tracing its roots back to Dean Robinson's pioneering work. The program explored topics such as the right of publicity, name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and the broader implications of intellectual property in college athletics.

The panel featured distinguished alumni and experts, including Rob Dickson ’24, Associate at Fisher Phillips LLP; Bart Lambergman ’19, Senior Counsel at Shumaker LLP and Adjunct Professor of Law at Catholic Law; Chima Okoli ’17, Attorney at Marathon Legal LLC; and Maddie Salamone, Senior Policy Counsel at Pacific Legal Foundation. They shared their insights on the legal and regulatory challenges facing college sports today. Discussions ranged from the impact of NIL agreements on athletes' rights to the financial pressures on non-revenue sports like swimming and diving. The speakers also addressed the complexities of antitrust law, labor and employment issues, and the role of collectives in reshaping the collegiate athletic landscape. The conversation underscored the need for clearer regulations, better education for athletes navigating NIL deals, and a collective effort to preserve opportunities for Olympic and non-revenue sports.

Attendees left with a deeper appreciation for the stakes involved. "This talk really showed how quickly college athletics has changed and how the law is still catching up to the realities of NIL, athlete compensation, and institutional control," reflected Isabelle Perez, a student at Catholic Law. Gabrielle Marie Alongi, drawing from her own experience as a former college athlete, added: "The overview of the NCAA history, and the emergence of NIL rights, provided valuable perspectives into the important role attorneys and advocates can play in bringing about change."

For others, the event reframed their understanding of the field entirely. As Shmuel Sauer, another law student, put it, "I came in knowing the basics of NIL and walked out with a completely different understanding of how antitrust law, employment law, and constitutional rights all collide in college athletics."

Following the panel, attendees gathered in the law school’s atrium for a lively reception, where the discussions continued in a more informal setting. Students, alumni, and guests had the opportunity to connect with the panelists, ask further questions, and share their own perspectives on the evolving legal landscape of college athletics.