Professional Sports Exemption

The Professional Sports Exemption is a legal provision that allows professional athletes to be excluded from certain employment laws, such as minimum wage or working hours regulations. This exemption recognizes the unique nature of professional sports, where athletes are often paid large sums and their work involves specific regulations and agreements. Essentially, it means that many laws that protect regular workers do not fully apply to athletes, acknowledging the distinct, high-profile, and negotiated nature of their employment contracts.