Legal Dimensions of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Sports Law: Mechanisms, Advantages, and Challenges

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has become integral to sports law, offering efficient, flexible, and specialized alternatives to traditional litigation. This paper examines the application, benefits, and limitations of ADR mechanisms—including mediation, arbitration, and hybrid models—in resolving sports-related disputes. Key institutions like the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and Sport Resolutions UK exemplify ADR's role in providing swift, confidential, and cost-effective solutions tailored to the unique dynamics of the sports industry. The study highlights ADR's advantages, such as reduced costs, faster resolutions, relationship preservation, and confidentiality, while addressing challenges like power imbalances, enforceability concerns, and potential mediator bias. Through a mixed-methods approach combining doctrinal analysis and empirical research, the findings reveal broad stakeholder acceptance of ADR, emphasizing the need for specialized expertise and standardized procedures. The paper concludes that ADR is vital for promoting fairness, integrity, and sustainability in sports, with future developments likely influenced by technology, globalization, and evolving legal standards.