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[hckynut]

On 9/16/2014 NoelSeven said:

JOHN, even the Hockey League has a morals clause. See below.

THE MORALS CLAUSE IN SPORTS:

http://www.legalspeaks.com/2014/09/ray-rice-fans-and-supporters-need-a-reality-check/

As for former NFL player Ray Rice, his employment contract, as with all NFL contracts, had a morals clause. NFL contracts and most endorsement company contracts have what is termed a “morals clause”. These morals clauses allow a team, company or sports league to terminate a player’s contract for criminal activity or behavior or conduct that is unbefitting to an athlete or the team’s brands.

Morals clauses are general in nature and may cover a large range of incidents. In legal terms, they may be referred to as a “catch – all” category. Morals clauses are found also in the NBA, Major League Baseball (“MLB”) and National Hockey League (“NHL”). These clauses are in the leagues’ constitutions and in the players individual contracts giving power to a team or Commissioner to fine, suspend or terminate a player whose behavior or conduct does not conform to standards of morality, is in violation of criminal laws or is otherwise detrimental to the team or league.

Many sports players are also terminated from endorsement contracts due to a morals clause as in the case of Tiger Woods for his infidelity to his now ex-wife due to the famous mistresses scandal. It was a personal matter that was not criminal but yet the morals clause caused him to lose his many multi-million dollar endorsements at that time. Other athletes lost lucrative endorsement contracts due to a morals clause such as Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant and Olympic Gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps for admitting to marijuana use. And in the case of morals clauses, there are many behaviors that may cause a termination that do not result in a criminal conviction such as arrests for drunk driving, drug use, domestic scandals and public fights. Generally speaking, a morals clause is always in the best interest of the employer, team, company or franchise. They are always subjective in the eyes of the entity enforcing the clause and give them absolute discretion to enforce them.

Hi NoelSeven,

I know that all Major League Sports have a "morals clause in them". Some media people do not even consider the National Hockey League(NHL)as a Major League Sport, but the do see Golf as one.

Morals to me can be as subjective as "p*o*r*n where many have said "I can't describe it, but I will know it when I see it". I do not see domestic violence as a "moral issue", I see it as a crime, and to me should be punished as such. That, in my opinion, should be done by the legal system. From there it is up to the employer to decide about the morality and if it violates any part of their "morals contract". But this should have absolutely nothing to do with breaking the law and/or what the legal system is doing.

Too many, in my opinion, are on a tirade against the NFL and seem to have left Rice long forgotten. Every time I watch the news there is more about the NFL than Mr. Rice. I realize this other player is now "in the limelight" and Rice is a used to be story by the media.

For myself I am more concerned about these men, or woman, breaking the law by committing domestic violence on their partners or their SO. To me this has nothing to do with them being a football player or a hockey player, but being a human being/citizen of the United States and subject to the laws of the land.

Sports are not the only professions that are guided by an employer having a binding contract with their employees. What other type of employment have you seen or heard about similar to the outcry against the NFL for an employee violating a "morals clause" in their contract? I would be surprised if anyone representing the TV media not having a contract that includes a "morals clause" in it, more specifically the ones that are the "face of a network or channel".

I don't remember hearing or seeing anything close to what is being said and written about the NFL and what they should do about some of their employees under contract.

Long enough on this one. Gonna check out a couple other posts and call it a night.