反垄断法视野下职业体育联盟的性质考察——基于《谢尔曼法》的司法实践

An Antitrust Analysis of Professional Sports League——Based on Sherman Act Judicial Experience

美国是一个职业体育非常发达的国家,同时,它又是一个反垄断法较为完备,司法经验较为丰富的国家。美国职业体育的发展一直以来都受到反垄断法的调整,尤其是《谢尔曼法》一直伴随着职业体育的反垄断进程。在美国反垄断法对职业体育进行调整的过程中,对作为职业体育市场基础性结构的职业体育联盟性质的认定是至关重要的,这直接影响到许多反垄断案件的判决结论。采用文献资料调研、对比分析、逻辑分析、例证等方法,就Cop-perweld案前后美国各法院在相关案例中对职业体育联盟是单一实体还是企业联营的性质认定做初步探讨;对职业体育联盟单一实体和企业联营两种理论的证据进行了分析,并根据Copperweld原则对职业联盟的性质进行认定;从反垄断法与经济效率的角度考察我国建立职业体育联盟的理性选择,并就存在的反垄断法风险和规避途径进行分析。

United States is one of the most developed countries in professional sports industry,and its antitrust laws judicial experience is rich.American professional sports is always be adjusted by the antitrust laws,particularly the Sherman Act has been accompanied by the antitrust process in professional sports.The nature of professional sports leagues is a critical issue in the process of professional sports antitrust.This issue has immediate impact on numerous sports cases.This paper,using the method of literature review,comparative analysis and logic analysis,discusses that the U.S.courts relevant legal views on professional sports leagues is a single entity or joint venture,and provides a brief evidence on two theories,Hereafter,the nature of professional leagues were identified in accordance with the Copperweld.Finally,this paper discusses the Chinese rational choice of establishing professional sports leagues,and explores antitrust risks and avoiding approach.