Passionate about sports?
Elevate your game at Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute!
Join world-class law faculty, top industry professionals, and like-minded students from around the nation to learn about sports law and earn credits toward graduation.
Summer 2026 Dates
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Professional Sports Law | May 26 – June 26
Pathway to Practice | June 29 – July 31
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Meet the Director
Professor David Weber is Associate Professor of Law and the Director of the Sports Law Program at Oregon Law. Weber specializes in sports law with an emphasis on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and legal issues facing international athletes. He has published, commented, and spoke extensively on a range of topics in the sports law field. His scholarship has appeared in many notable journals and has been cited by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, American Law Reports, and American Jurisprudence, among others.
Professor Weber has been cited or quoted in national publications such as The New York Times, ESPN, Time Magazine, Bloomberg, The Athletic, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Associated Press. He has served as an expert witness on international college athlete matters and advised collectives, collegiate, and Olympic athletes on NIL transactions. Professor Weber has also advised and assisted with federal NIL-related legislation on Capitol Hill on both the House and Senate sides.
Professor Weber’s most recent publication, The Death of the NCAA as We Know It, addresses the continued viability of the NCAA, the risk that it succumbs to legal attacks against it, and other potential models that could evolve to govern collegiate athletics in the future.
Professor Weber currently teaches Amateur Sports Law, Professional Sports Law, Contracts, and Negotiations.
Why study sports at Oregon Law?
Oregon is the headquarters of Nike and Adidas, the heart of American track and field, and the home of the Ducks. We even helped pass Title IX, and catalyzed reforms to the women’s NCAA basketball tournament.
The Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute emphasizes the legal and intellectual breadth of sports law, from economics to regulation, from Title IX to intellectual property, from international dispute resolution to e-sports, and much more.
Not every student who is interested in sports law will go on to actually practice in sports law, and with that in mind, we treat sports law as business law—in a cool, growing, and dynamic industry! At Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute, we train you to be not only a great sports lawyer, but also an excellent business lawyer.
Our Summer 2026 application process is now open.
"The Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute was an amazing investment. From being able to speak with different experts in the field each week, to having the opportunity to tour the Nike Headquarters and meeting with their attorneys, and having a professor that truly wants us student to make it in this area of law, I could not be more grateful that I participated in this specialized program. I would highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to get exposed to sports law and is hoping to get exposure to some true experts in this field."
— Katherine Vescio, JD Candidate '27, Gonzaga University School of Law
Highlights from Summer 2025
Our Faculty
Each year, the Institute features some of the nation’s top sports law professors as well as guest speakers from the professional sports industry, the media, the NCAA, and other organizations.
Guest faculty and speakers have included:
- Mike McCann, University of New Hampshire School of Law
- Maureen Arellano Weston, Pepperdine University
- Travis Tygart, US Anti-Doping Agency
- Marc Edelman, City University of New York
- Leigh Hawley, FIFA World Cup
- N. Jeremi Duru, American University
- Erin Buzuvis, Western New England University School of Law
- Nicoleas Mayne, Nixon Peabody
- Andrew Brandt, Villanova School of Law
- Sarah Hartley, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
- Josephine R. Potuto, University of Nebraska
And more! Take a look at our growing lineup of confirmed Summer 2026 guest faculty and our impressive list of prior years' expert presenters.
The Cedric Halloran Award
Each summer, the Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute honors one or two students with the Cedric Halloran Award, established in 2021 to celebrate the life and spirit of Cedric Halloran, the son of longtime SSLI guest faculty member Professor Maureen Weston (Pepperdine).
During the many summers Cedric spent in Eugene with his family, he became a beloved presence within the SSLI community. He was known for his enthusiasm, energy, kindness, and genuine joy in connecting with others — whether rallying on the tennis courts, stopping by TrackTown, or spending time at his family farm in McMinnville.
The award is offered to someone with “enthusiasm, energy, and a beautiful spirit—someone with a passion for sports and a genuine investment in the success and happiness of others.” The award includes a monetary prize supported by the Halloran family and stands as one of the Institute’s most heartfelt traditions.
Professor Weston and her husband, Brian, emphasize how meaningful the award remains for their family:
“Cedric loved the Oregon summer program, and keeping his spirit connected to the students each year is incredibly meaningful to us.”
Past Halloran Award Recipients:
- 2025: Mason Cashman
- 2024: Sarah Capper and Faisal Almalahi
- 2023: Mia Manney & Adam Wogan
- 2022: Geraldo Morales
Summer 2026 Course Lineup
Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute now offers TWO exciting, three-credit courses. Our updated curriculum reflects a tailored and progressive approach; whether you are exploring the fundamentals or seeking practical experiences and mentorship, Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute has something for you.
Build a strong foundation in the legal and business frameworks that shape professional, collegiate, and international sports. Professional Sports Law is a five-week, 3-credit, synchronous distance course featuring live discussions with faculty and guest experts on topics such as antitrust, labor relations, NIL, gambling, and mega-sporting events like the FIFA World Cup. An optional in-person week in Eugene (June 22-26) offers additional extracurricular opportunities (e.g., events and visits to major corporate sports brands, professional teams, university athletics, and more) while students who prefer online-only can continue participating fully in all scheduled class sessions. Professional Sports Law is designed to equip you with foundational insights into sports law, laying the groundwork for further studies and career exploration.
Pathway to Practice is a five-week, 3-credit synchronous distance course that goes beyond theory, focusing on hands-on training in negotiation, contract drafting, and advocacy while developing your professional identity and network. From problem-solving sessions to guest lectures from leading industry experts, practitioners, and scholars, the course offers an exciting blend of practical skills and real-world insights. An optional in-person immersion week (July 27-31) provides exceptional extracurricular experiences—such as visits to Nike World Headquarters and other sports organizations—while students who prefer an all-remote experience can continue engaging in all class meetings in real time. Pathways to Practice gives you the practical tools, professional connections, and confidence to take the next step toward a career in sports law.
"The Summer Sports Law Institute at Oregon University exceeded my expectations. I was able to get to know my fellow peers from around the country interested in the sports law world, as well as meet experienced professionals that work in many different areas of sports. The educational experience is top notch as well. The instructors brought in to talk and teach us were remarkable and our primary instructor, Professor Dearinger, was instrumental in furthering my understanding of sports law and furthering the connections to those individuals who came and spoke with us. This is a great step for anyone wanting to get into the sports related legal world."
— Jack Gatti, JD Candidate '27, Washburn University School of Law
Careers in Sports
Combine your business law skills with your passion for sports! The sports law field presents an exciting array of career possibilities at the unique intersection of law and the dynamic world of sports.
At SSLI, you'll learn about the many career paths available to you and make vital connections with leaders and experts across the industry.
Click on the link below to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an athlete to attend? What if I have to arrive or leave early?
Find the answers to these and other questions in our FAQs page.