What is the primary purpose of the nonstatutory labor exemption in sports antitrust law?

• A. To shield broadcasting rights from antitrust challenges
• B. To enforce salary caps through antitrust exemptions
• C. To protect collectively bargained labor agreements from antitrust challenges
• D. To promote franchise relocation

Answer: (C)

The nonstatutory labor exemption is a court-made shield that preserves the enforceability of collectively bargained agreements between players and teams by keeping restraints that are part of those agreements from antitrust challenges. In professional sports, this means rules negotiated in CBAs—such as salary caps, drafts, and other player restraints—are allowed to stand because they are an integral part of the labor relations framework and necessary to effectuate the agreement. It’s nonstatutory because it comes from case law, not a statute. The exemption applies when the restraint arises from genuine bargaining and stays within the scope of the agreement; it does not sweep in unrelated business choices or actions like broadcasting rights or franchise relocation.