Arbitration in Sports Dispute Resolution: The Role and Importance of International Sports Arbitration

The relationship between law and sports is becoming increasingly significant in contemporary society. The rise in legal disputes, the development of sports management, entrepreneurship, sponsorship, marketing, doping issues, gender equality, and growing interest in the field a l point to the need for an interdisciplinary approach to examining the connection between sports and the economy, as we l as the development of the economic potential of sports. In Serbia, as in many other countries, sports law is a relatively new legal discipline undergoing major transformations. There is growing interest in the study of sport not only as a phenomenon within the legal system but also as an economic sector. Sports and the economy are closely intertwined, as the sports industry represents a crucial segment of the global economy. Professional sports, recreational activities, sports infrastructure, and the sports equipment industry generate substantial annual revenue, contributing to employment. This has led to an increasing number of legal disputes related to contracts, player transfers, sponsorship agreements, and violations of anti-doping regulations. Sports are no longer solely recreational activities; they have evolved into a key sector involving various economic activities such as the organization of sports events, sponsorship and partnership arrangements, marketing, media rights, tourism, and hospitality. This paper analyzes the role and importance of arbitration in sports dispute resolution, focusing on the Court of Arbitration for Sport as the central institution for resolving sports disputes on an international level. It explores the legal framework, procedures, and regulations governing arbitration processes, as we l as the advantages and disadvantages of arbitration compared to judicial proceedings. By analyzing relevant cases, the paper examines the impact of sports arbitration on the rights of athletes, clubs, and federations, as we l as the economic consequences of arbitration rulings. The research aims to determine whether arbitration is a more e ficient mechanism for resolving sports disputes than traditional court proceedings and to propose potential reforms to improve the legal framework for sports-related conflicts.