FROM DATA TO DECISIONS: SAFEGUARDING ATHLETES IN THE AGE OF AI

Authors

Nathan Elmer, Saint Louis University School of LawFollow

Files

Description

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are transforming professional sports by enhancing player performance, injury prevention, and scouting. However, the rapid adoption of AI raises significant concerns about data privacy, ownership, and decision-making biases that affect athletes. While collective bargaining agreements in major sports leagues provide some protections, they fail to address the complexities of AI-driven data collection and processing. The United States should adopt a regulatory framework similar to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to safeguard athletes’ personal data. Implementing explicit consent requirements, addressing power imbalances, and ensuring transparency in AI decision-making would protect athletes while allowing for continued technological innovation.

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Professional Sports, Artificial Intelligence (AI), GDPR, Sports Technology, Collective Bargaining Agreements

Disciplines

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics | Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law | Law | Science and Technology Law | Sports Studies

Recommended Citation

Elmer, Nathan, "FROM DATA TO DECISIONS: SAFEGUARDING ATHLETES IN THE AGE OF AI" (2025). SLU Law Journal Online. 130.
https://scholarship.law.slu.edu/lawjournalonline/130