An Examination of the Pluralistic Nature of Industrial Relations in the Professional Sports Industry

Professional sports have entered a period of intensified labor relations, as reflected in recent strikes. Academic models of public-sector labor relations can be applied to professional sports since they incorporate external participants and are multilateral. Multiple participants must be considered in professional sports since they have a stake in the employment relationship. Not only are players and teams involved, but players’ agents and unions, fans, and local governments are part of the process. Some of these relationships are addressed in traditional collective bargaining perspectives, but other entities also wield power and influence and should be conceptualized in any model.