VILLANOVA, PA — Three students from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law clinched first place at the 17th Annual International Baseball Arbitration Competition, hosted by Tulane University. The competition, held in New Orleans, saw Alex Schaff, David Brake, and Alyssa Rodarte, members of Villanova’s Sports Law Negotiation Team, outperform 40 teams from across the country.
The triumphant trio comprised two third-year law students, Schaff and Brake, and second-year student Rodarte. Schaff additionally claimed the competition’s Oral Advocacy Award for her remarkable argumentative skills.
The International Baseball Arbitration Competition is a unique event that simulates a Major League Baseball (MLB) salary arbitration argument. It offers students a realistic glimpse into the complex world of sports law and the intricacies of contract negotiations in professional sports.
During the competition, teams prepare and present arguments for both the player and team sides, using actual arbitration-eligible MLB players as case studies. The competition’s judging panel includes industry professionals and insiders such as front office executives, player agents, and media.
The competition format consisted of three matchups against different schools on the first day, with teams given several days to prepare. The second day was more intense, with advancing teams given just 30 minutes to prepare for the quarterfinals and subsequent rounds.
Villanova had a strong presence at the event, entering two teams into the competition. Alongside the winning team, the second Villanova trio, comprising second-year law students Carl Capizzi, Zach Cioffi, and George Pla, reached the semifinals, where they faced their Villanova peers. This achievement continues Villanova’s impressive track record at the competition, having advanced to the semifinals or better four times in the past five years.
The Sports Law Negotiation Team is a credited program within the Charles Widger School of Law, which sponsors arbitration/negotiation teams across various sports including baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and hockey. The program’s success can be attributed to rigorous tryouts held before the fall semester, leading to the selection of competitive teams that participate in various competitions nationwide and globally.
Andrew Brandt, Executive Director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law and Professor of Practice, advises the program. The recent victory at the International Baseball Arbitration Competition is a testament to the quality of legal education and training provided by Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of sports law.
This achievement not only highlights the students’ exceptional negotiation skills but also highlights Villanova’s commitment to practical, hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for a dynamic and competitive legal landscape. As the world of professional sports continues to grow in complexity and scale, the skills honed by Villanova’s Sports Law Negotiation Team will undoubtedly serve them well in their future careers.
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