Sports Lawyer Robert Boland has joined Seton Hall Law (SHL) as an assistant professor and part of its Gaming, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports Law (GHamES) initiative.
Boland recently joined Shumaker as part of its sports law group.
At SHL, he will focus on developing and expanding Seton Hall’s Sports Law offerings.
“He brings a wealth of experience to this endeavor, having most recently served as the Athletics Integrity Officer at the Pennsylvania State University, where he oversaw the athletic program’s compliance with all legal and ethical standards required by law, the University, the Big Ten and the NCAA,” according to SHL. “He previously directed Ohio University’s highly ranked Sports Administration program, helped found New York University’s Masters in Sports Business program, and served as Academic Chair of NYU’s Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management. Professor Boland is eager to build on the exceptional collaborative opportunities at Seton Hall, one of the few universities that has not only a law school, but also a business school, a sports management program, a sports media center, and an outstanding athletic tradition.”
Boland said the “commitment Seton Hall as a university has made to the holistic study of sports law, sports business, and sports media is a unique one among all universities. That commitment, coupled with the range of learning opportunities Seton Hall’s own NCAA Division I athletic program provides and the nearly limitless opportunities the New York & New Jersey Metropolitan area offers, makes Seton Hall an unmatched place to teach or study sports law.”
In addition to his academic career, Professor Boland has more than 20 years of experience advising clients in matters involving sport, labor, antitrust, and criminal law and representing players in contract negotiations across a variety of sports. As a consultant, he has also served as an advisor to professional franchise purchase groups, professional teams, universities, and conferences on legal, economic, stadium, strategic and search issues. Professor Boland is also the author of two leading peer-reviewed studies on coaching contracts and legal issues in the NFL and of a forthcoming book on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) to be published by Human Kinetics.
Of all his roles, however, Professor Boland prizes being an educator above all else and describes teaching as both a calling and a privilege.
“Teaching has always been my greatest joy and passion, from the first moment I stepped into a classroom,” he said. “It’s an honor to get to try to inspire the next generation of leaders in a field I love. I strongly believe that as academics we must also connect with the real world and make that connectivity meaningful both for today and for tomorrow.”
Professor Boland has held teaching appointments at Penn State’s Law School and School of Labor & Employment Relations and was a member of the faculty at both Ohio University and NYU. His consistently excellent student evaluations speak to the dedication he brings to the classroom. Our students can look forward to Professor Boland teaching core courses in our GHamES concentration, as well elective courses in sports law, including an advanced writing course covering issues in collegiate sports. He is excited to bring his decades of practical experience into the classroom and to work with students to identify rewarding career pathways in sports law.
“A meaningful education in sports and sports law is built in equal measures on excellent classroom experiences and practical experiences that move our students and graduates toward their goals. I am excited to make a career-long commitment to our students at Seton Hall and help connect them with opportunities.”
Seton Hall is thrilled to welcome Professor Boland to the faculty. Assistant Dean Devon Corneal, who oversees the GHamES initiative notes, “From our first conversation I was convinced that Bob would make an immediate impact at Seton Hall Law. He brings so much to the table – he’s a practitioner, a manager, a curious academic, and an enthusiastic educator who cares deeply about students and their well-being. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Bob onboard, and I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
