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

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.