Kenneth L. Shropshire
- David W. Hauck Professor Emeritus of Legal Studies and Business Ethics
Contact Information
- Primary Email:
shrop@wharton.upenn.edu - Office Phone:
(215) 898-3017
- office Address:
660 Jon M. Huntsman Hall
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Research Interests: antitrust, contracts, negotiation and dispute resolution, sports law, the sports industry
Links: CV, Personal Website
Overview
Education
JD, Columbia University School of Law, 1980; AB, Stanford University, 1977
Recent Consulting
United States Tennis Association; Miami Dolphins; NFL; Arizona State University; Negotiation training and consultation. Expert witness.
Academic Positions Held
Wharton: 1986-present.(Director, Wharton Sports Business Initiative, 2004-present; named David W. Hauck Professor, 2001; Chairperson, Legal Studies Department, 2000-2005; Pitney Bowes Term Assistant Professor of Legal Studies, 1986-91). University of Pennsylvania: (Acting Director, Afro-American Studies Program, 1997-98).
Other Positions
Acting Executive Director, RISE, 2016; Attorney, General Business, Sports and Entertainment Practice, 1982-86; Assistant Vice President, Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, 1982-85; Associate, Manatt, Phelps, Rothenberg & Tunney, Los Angeles, 1980-82
Professional Leadership 2005-2009
President, Sports Lawyers Association, 2005-2007
Research
Kenneth L. Shropshire and Collin D. Williams, Jr. The Miseducation of the Student Athlete: How to Fix College Sports (Wharton Digital Press, 2017)
Abstract: The student-athlete’s life: practice, gym, weight room, film review, repeat. Simply put, sports come first. Academics is a distant second. As the revenues generated by big-time college sports continue to skyrocket, virtually all of the debate involves whether (and how much) student-athletes should be paid for play. Kenneth L. Shropshire and Collin D. Williams, Jr., argue that “student” has to come first in student-athlete: the focus should be on prioritizing a meaningful education. In The Miseducation of the Student Athlete: How to Fix College Sports, Shropshire and Williams draw on new research to reveal that it has become increasingly difficult for college athletes to balance school and sports, much less a social life, leading to serious economic, professional, and emotional consequences for young people. Given that fewer than 2% of all college men’s basketball and football players will play at the professional level, the other 98% of student-athletes must be prepared to find and perform well in jobs outside of their respective field of play. In this bold call to action, Shropshire and Williams explain how we got here and what can be done about it. They lay out The Student-Athlete Manifesto, a roadmap to increase the likelihood that student-athletes can succeed both on and off the field. They also offer a Meaningful Degree Model, which ensures education pays for everyone, along with stories of success that show it is possible to be both a student and an athlete. A critical read for student-athletes, sports leadership, policy makers, and anyone who loves college sports, The Miseducation of the Student Athlete has the potential to disrupt college sport and create lasting change.
Kenneth L. Shropshire and T. Davis, The Business of Sports Agents 3rd ed (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016)
Abstract: Successful sports agents are comfortable with high finance and intense competition for the right to represent talented players, and the most respected agents are those who can deal with the pressures of high-stakes negotiations in an honest fashion. But whereas rules and penalties govern the playing field, there are far fewer restrictions on agents. In The Business of Sports Agents, Kenneth L. Shropshire, Timothy Davis, and N. Jeremi Duru, experts in the fields of sports business and law, examine the history of the sports agent business and the rules and laws developed to regulate the profession. They also consider recommendations for reform, including uniform laws that would apply to all agents, redefining amateurism in college sports, and stiffening requirements for licensing agents. This revised and expanded third edition brings the volume up to date on recent changes in the industry, including: —the emergence and dominance of companies such as Creative Artists Agency and Wasserman Media Group —high-profile cases of agent misconduct, principally Josh Luchs, whose agent certification was revoked by the NFLPA —legal challenges against the NCAA that may fundamentally change the definition of amateurism —changes to agent regulations resulting from new collective bargaining agreements in all of the major professional sports —evaluation of the effectiveness of the Uniform Athlete Agents Act (2000) to regulate agent conduct —issues faced by the increasing number of agents representing athletes who work abroad as well as athletes from abroad who work in the United States. Whether aspiring sports agent, lawyer, athlete seeking an agent, or simply interested in understanding the world of sports representation, the reader will find in The Business of Sports Agents the most comprehensive overview of the industry as well as a straightforward analysis of its problems and proposed solutions.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Sport Matters: Leadership, Power, and the Quest for Respect in Sports (Wharton Digital Press, 2015)
S. Rosner and Kenneth L. Shropshire, The Business of Sports 2nd ed (2010)
Abstract: A collection of sports business readings. Edited with Scott Rosner.
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Negotiate Like the Pros: A Master Sports Negotiators Lessons for Making Deals, Building Relationships and Getting what you Want (2009)
Kenneth L. Shropshire, Being Sugar Ray: The Life of Sugar Ray Robinson, America’s Greatest Boxer and the First Celebrity Athlete (2007)
Abstract: A biographical study of the boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. That life serves as a prism to view modern-day athletes and the business of sport.
Kenneth L. Shropshire and T. Boyd, Basketball Jones: America Above the Rim (2000)
Teaching
Past Courses
LGST101 - Law and Social Values
This course presents law as an evolving social institution, with special emphasis on the legal regulation of business in the context of social values. It considers basic concepts of law and legal process, in the U.S. and other legal systems, and introduces the fundamentals of rigorous legal analysis. An in-depth examination of contract law is included.
LGST204 - Real Estate Law
See Real Estate, REAL 204
LGST206 - Negotiations
This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills.
LGST207 - The Sports Industry: Business and Legal Aspects
This course examines various business disciplines as they apply to the sports industry. The course provides the student with an overview of the business of the intercollegiate, Olympic and professional sports enterprises. In addition, the course investigates the business related issues encountered by managers of sports organizations and covers how business principles can be applied to effectively address these issues.
LGST218 - Diversity and the Law
The goal of this course is to study the role the law has played, and continues to play, in addressing the problems of racial discrimination in the United States. Contemporary issues such as racial profiling, affirmative action, and diversity will all be covered in their social and legal context. The basis for discussion will be assigned texts, articles, editorials and cases. In addition, interactive videos will also be used to aid class discussion. Course requirements will include a term paper and class case presentations.
LGST228 - Sports Law
This course focuses on the areas of association, contract, constitutional, labor, antitrust, and agency law as they apply to the sports industry. This course exposes the student to many of the legal issues facing stakeholders in sport organizations. Special attention is given to the regulation of professional sports leagues promoting competitive balance, as well as antitrust law and labor-management relations dealing with the organization structure of sports leagues. The course also takes an inside look at previous and newly formed collective bargaining agreements and the use of Salary Cap or lack thereof in professional sports leagues. The development of effective communication skills will be emphasized through class presentations, written assignments, and quizzes; leadership and interpersonal communications will be cultivated through small group projects and meetings, and critical thinking and problem solving skills will be fostered through the careful study of case law impacting the sports industry in a variety of facets.
LGST299 - Seminar in Law and Society
A study of the nature, functions, and limits of law as an agency of societal policy. Each semester an area of substantive law is studied for the purpose of examining the relationship between legal norms developed and developing in the area and societal problems and needs.
LGST804 - Real Estate Law
See Real Estate, REAL 804
LGST806 - Negotiations
This course examines the art and science of negotiation, with additional emphasis on conflict resolution. Students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one-issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills. Cross-listed with MGMT 691/OPIM 691. ,Format: Lecture, class discussion, simulation/role play, and video demonstrations. Materials: Textbook and course pack.
LGST809 - Sports Business Management
This course examines various business disciplines as they apply to the sports industry. The course provides the student with an overview of the business of the intercollegiate, Olympic and professional sports enterprises. In addition, the course investigates the business related issues encountered by managers of sports organizations and covers how business principles can be applied to effectively address these issues. This course is crosslisted with MGMT815.
MGMT291 - Negotiations
This course includes not only conflict resolution but techniques which help manage and even encourage the valuable aspects of conflict. The central issues of this course deal with understanding the behavior of individuals, groups, and organizations in conflict management situations. The purpose of this course is to understand the theory and processes of negotiations as it is practiced ina variety of settings. The course is designed to be relevant to the broad specturm of problems that are faced by the manager and professional including management of multinationals, ethical issues, and alternative dispute resolutions. Cross listed w/ LGST 206 and OIDD 291.
MGMT353 - Wharton Field Challenge
http://fap.wharton.upenn.edu/353 Students Info.htm
MGMT691 - Negotiations
This course examines the art and science of negotiation. This course develops managerial skills by combining lectures with practice, using exercises where students negotiate with each other. Over the course of the semester, students will engage in a number of simulated negotiations ranging from simple one issue transactions to multi-party joint ventures. Through these exercises and associated readings, students explore the basic theoretical models of bargaining and have an opportunity to test and improve their negotiation skills. Cross-listed with LGST 806 and OIDD 691.
OIDD291 - Negotiations
Negotiation is the art and the science of creating good agreements between two or more parties. This course develops managerial negotiation skills by mixing lectures and practice, using cases and exercises in which students negotiate with each other. The cases cover a wide range of problems and settings: one-shot deals between individuals, repeated negotiations, negotiations over several issues, and negotiations among several parties (both within and between organizations). Class participation and case studies account for half the course grade. Students will also write about a negotiation experience outside of class.
REAL204 - Real Estate Law
This course examines the fundamentals of real estate finance and development from a legal and managerial perspective. The course serves as a foundation course for real estate majors and provides an introduction to real estate for other students. It attempts to develop skills in using legal concepts in a real estate transactional setting. The course will be of interest to students contemplating careers in accounting, real estate development, real estate finance, city planning, or banking. The main topics covered may include the following: land acquisition, finance; choice of entity; tax aspects; management (leasing, environmental); disposition of real property (sale of mortgaged property, foreclosures, wraparound mortgages, sale-leasebacks); and recent legal developments.
REAL804 - Real Estate Law
This course examines the fundamentals of real estate finance and development from a legal perspective. The course serves as a foundation course for real estate majors and provides an introduction to real estate for other students. It attempts to develop skills in using legal concepts in a real estate transactional setting. The course will be of interest to students contemplating careers in accounting, real estate development, real estate finance, city planning, or banking. The main topics covered may include the following: land acquisition, finance; choice of entity; tax aspects; management (leasing, environmental); disposition of real property (sale of mortgaged property, foreclosures, wraparound mortgages, sale-leasebacks); and recent legal developments. Format: Although some of the material is presented by lecture, the instructor expects considerable class participation. Cross- listed with LGST 804.
Awards and Honors
Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award (2010)
Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award (2011)
Undergraduate Excellence in Teaching Award (2017)
University of Pennsylvania Martin Luther King Jr. Community Involvement Faculty Award (2017)
100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America
- Friars Senior Society Faculty Award, 2012
In the News
- Royal Bafokeng Nation one of World Cup’s best stories to tell, Sports Business Journal - 05/24/2010
- How Tiger Woods Can Survive the Scandal, Time - 12/03/2009
- Strong PR could help Vick comeback, Marketplace Public Radio - 07/27/2009
Knowledge @ Wharton
- How to Reform College Sports to Prioritize Learning, Knowledge @ Wharton - 11/16/2017
- How Starbucks Can Stick with ‘Race Together’ — and Get It Right, Knowledge @ Wharton - 03/27/2015
- Poor Sports: Is There a New Low in Owners’ and Players’ Behavior?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 02/24/2015
- At Risk: Are Unpaid College Athletes Exploited While Others Reap Millions?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 03/19/2014
- Fantex: Is Buying Shares in Athletes Risky Business?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 12/04/2013
- The Beautiful, Expensive Game: European Soccer a Lure for Gulf Investment, Knowledge @ Wharton - 08/21/2012
- The NY Jets’ Mike Tannenbaum and SAP’s Bill McDermott: Creating Leaders On and Off the Field, Knowledge @ Wharton - 11/22/2011
- Will Sponsors of the London Olympics Reap Rewards — or Controversy?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 07/26/2011
- As New Owner of NBC Universal, Can Comcast Merge the Corporate with the Creative?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 05/25/2011
- From Soccer to the Super Bowl: Measuring How and Where Fans ‘Consume’ Sports, Knowledge @ Wharton - 02/02/2011
- Tackling the Concussion Issue: Can the NFL Protect Both Its Players and Its Product?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 11/10/2010
- Big Game(s): College Basketball’s Full-court Money Press, Knowledge @ Wharton - 03/31/2010
- Brazil’s Gold: How Rio Won Its Olympic Bid, Knowledge @ Wharton - 03/03/2010
- Comcast and NBC Universal: The Rise of a Content King?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 10/14/2009
- The Financial Crisis Reaches a New Arena: Professional Sports, Knowledge @ Wharton - 12/10/2008
- Doing a Sports Deal? Get Personal, Knowledge @ Wharton - 05/28/2008
- Navigating Olympic Sponsorship: Marketing Your Brand without Alienating the World, Knowledge @ Wharton - 04/16/2008
- Baseball, Steroids and Business Ethics: How Breaches of Trust Can Change the Game, Knowledge @ Wharton - 02/20/2008
- Next Moves in a Global Economy: Podcasts from the 2007 Wharton Economic Summit, Knowledge @ Wharton - 05/23/2007
- Scouting for the Best Athletes (or Analysts): Character vs. Performance, Knowledge @ Wharton - 05/02/2007
- The Legacy of Sugar Ray Robinson: Boxer, Celebrity and Businessman, Knowledge @ Wharton - 03/07/2007
- Brand It Like Beckham: Can the Soccer Star Sustain the Hype?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 01/24/2007
- Star Blight: The Perils of Celebrity Endorsements, Knowledge @ Wharton - 09/06/2006
- Has Major League Baseball Hit a Foul in Its Recent Skirmish with Online Fantasy Leagues?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 06/14/2006
- From Pro Footballer to Businessman: You’re a Rookie All Over Again, Knowledge @ Wharton - 10/05/2005
- The Business of Sports, Knowledge @ Wharton - 08/25/2004
- CEOs Are Ridiculed for Huge Salaries: Why Aren’t Athletes and Entertainers?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 11/19/2003
- David Beckham and the Selling of European Football, Knowledge @ Wharton - 08/13/2003
- Has the Kingdom of Disney Lost its Magic?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 09/11/2002
- An Above-the-Rim Look at Basketball, Knowledge @ Wharton - 06/06/2001
- Corporate Sponsorships of Stadiums and Other Institutions Don’t Always Pay Off, Knowledge @ Wharton - 05/09/2001
- Will Minorities Rise to Top Positions in the Business of Sports?, Knowledge @ Wharton - 09/01/1999
Activity
Latest Research
In the News
How to Reform College Sports to Prioritize LearningWharton’s Ken Shropshire and Collin D. Williams Jr. discuss ways to fix a prevailing problem in college sports -- the amount of time it eats away from academics.
Knowledge @ Wharton - 2017/11/16