Legal Implications of the Gibbs Hiring: Joe Gibbs was hired yesterday to coach the Washington Redskins, a team he left in 1992. Since that time, Gibbs has become a very successful NASCAR owner and is the CEO of Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs has said he plans to continue owning the team, but this could possibly be affected by NFL rules limiting financial involvement in other sports properties. USA Today and the Washington Post have stories.



This raises a very interesting legal question. How much can the NFL limit the ability of one of its owners to own a stake in another sports property? There seem to be definite liberty of contract, and possibly even antitrust issues at stake. It does not appear to be a problem in this case, since Gibbs's sons own 98% of the racing team, but it could arise with a future owner.

Posted in: