Sam Ehrlich Awarded for Outstanding Sports and Entertainment Paper
Sam Ehrlich
Sam Ehrlich, an associate professor of legal studies in business at Boise State University, has been honored with the Outstanding Sports and Entertainment Paper Award presented by the Academy of Legal Studies in Business. He shares this accolade with co-authors Professor Neal Ternes of Northern Illinois University and Amanda Siegrist of Coastal Carolina University.
Their research paper, titled “STUNTing on Title IX: Legal Concerns on the NCAA’s Adoption of Competitive Cheerleading,” investigates the implications of introducing more women’s sports at the collegiate level—addressing potential benefits like increased representation and equity in sports.
However, it also raises critical questions: Do the motivations behind these changes matter as much as the benefits they bring?
As the NCAA moves toward officially recognizing cheerleading as a sport under Title IX, Ehrlich emphasizes the need to examine the broader context of this transition. The paper does not inherently oppose the recognition of cheerleading; rather, it prompts a deeper exploration of the financial and ethical ramifications within college sports.
“Think critically about decisions that are being made in college sports,” Ehrlich advises. “There’s a lot of underlying history, a lot of conflict, and there are pros and cons to everything that’s going on.”
The Influence of Varsity Spirit
The paper discusses Varsity Spirit, a leading company in the cheerleading industry known for its substantial financial investments and various lawsuits. Their influence plays a crucial role in advocating for cheerleading’s status as a collegiate sport.
Legal changes, including the Supreme Court’s decision in NCAA v. Alston and state legislation regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL), provide significant financial incentives for companies like Varsity Spirit to monopolize the newly expanded market. Cheerleading’s diverse attributes—such as music, choreography, and competitions—afford Varsity Spirit various revenue-generating avenues beyond just the athletes.
Ehrlich’s research sheds light on why the push for acknowledgment may not be as focused on equity as it appears.
The Changing Landscape of College Sports
The landscape of college athletics is undergoing profound transformations, including changes to NIL, conference realignment, athlete compensation, and governance, which continue to reshape the environment.
For Ehrlich, this uncertainty creates an engaging research opportunity. “I’m not involved in the ground floor, but I talk to attorneys, coaches, and athletic directors all the time,” he explains. “It’s very much a symbiotic relationship, and it’s a really good way for me to bring a lot of presence to Boise State. When people see me quoted in a New York Times article as ‘professor at Boise State,’ it has significantly boosted my research profile.”
After a successful year, Ehrlich reflects on his future aspirations: “I want to be right here.”
By Morgan Reah
