Ethical Considerations in Sport Management

Today’s Lecture Critical Thinking – A Review Critical Thinking – A Review Values Values Ethical Theories/Maxims Ethical Theories/Maxims Ethics and the Law Ethics and the Law Ethics and Decision Making Ethics and Decision Making Ethics in Today’s Sports World Ethics in Today’s Sports World Ethics and Sport Managers Ethics and Sport Managers Assignment Question Assignment Question

Critical Thinking – A Review 1. Systematic evaluation of arguments 2. Rational Approach 3. Movement toward improved decisions/opinions/judgements “Critical thinkers care more about getting it right than being right”

Critical Thinking – So What? Critical thinking is based on values. You must simultaneously have conscious reflection of personal values and recognition of conflicting values. What is a Value?

Values A value is a deeply held idea of what is desirable, something worth having or believing. Values motivate us. So, what is Ethical Behaviour? This is the action that we take that is based upon our values.

Ethical Theories evaluating the morality of actions or inaction on the basis of results or consequences (results- oriented approach) Rules, values, policies and beliefs that are assumed to be correct by the majority of people; demonstrates respect for individual human beings

Gather the Facts for a Decision Is the action acceptable? 1. Utility – Does it optimize benefits? 2. Rights – Does it respect the rights of those involved? 3. Justice – Is the action fair? No to all No to one or two Yes to All Are there any overriding factors ? Action is Unethical Action is Ethical No Yes

Ethical Maxims to Guide Decision Making The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would want done to yourself” The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would want done to yourself” The Utilitarian Principle: “Greatest good for the greatest number of people” The Utilitarian Principle: “Greatest good for the greatest number of people” Kant’s Categorical Imperative: “Action taken under circumstances could be a universal law or rule of behaviour” Kant’s Categorical Imperative: “Action taken under circumstances could be a universal law or rule of behaviour”

Ethical Maxims (continued) The Professional Ethic: “Take actions that would be viewed as proper by a disinterested panel of professional colleagues” The Professional Ethic: “Take actions that would be viewed as proper by a disinterested panel of professional colleagues” The Television Test: “Would I feel comfortable explaining on TV why I took this action?” The Television Test: “Would I feel comfortable explaining on TV why I took this action?”

The Law The law represents a “body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority and having binding legal force.” authority and having binding legal force.” The law is an accumulation of rules and The law is an accumulation of rules and regulations that govern our behaviour. Many people think that what is legal is ethical. But this is not always the case…..

Henderson (1982) Quadrant IIQuadrant I Quadrant IIQuadrant I Quadrant IVQuadrant III Quadrant IVQuadrant III Ethical Unethical Illegal Legal

Ethics versus Morals According to Parks and Quarterman: Ethics are theoretically based whereas morals are of a more practical nature. For example, “Do not steal” is a moral, but what if your family is starving and the only way to eat is to steal a loaf of brad. This is an ethical issue.

Decision Making When making decisions, sport managers must consider: What is best for the company What is best for the company What is “good business” What is “good business” Ethics Ethics Values Values The Law The Law

A 7 step process to Ethical Decision Making 1. Acknowledge that dilemma is ethically laden 2. Generate Alternatives 3. Evaluate Alternatives 4. Select Ideal Alternative 5. Intention (what is the intent?) 6. Actual Decision 7. Evaluate the Actual Decision

Ethical Situations in Sport Fighting in hockey Fighting in hockey Drugs in sports - Using substances that are illegal, but not banned in the specific sport (eg steroids in baseball, marijuana in snowboarding, drug testing in tennis) Drugs in sports - Using substances that are illegal, but not banned in the specific sport (eg steroids in baseball, marijuana in snowboarding, drug testing in tennis) MLB umpire’s call in (near) perfect game MLB umpire’s call in (near) perfect game Allowing competitors to wear religious garb while competing (eg turbans, hijabs [veils]) Allowing competitors to wear religious garb while competing (eg turbans, hijabs [veils])

Ethical Situations for Sport Managers Managers in sport organizations are given tickets to pass along to suppliers as a manner to say ‘thank you’. Even after all suppliers have been given tickets, there are still a number left over. Is it unethical to give the extra tickets to family/friends? Managers in sport organizations are given tickets to pass along to suppliers as a manner to say ‘thank you’. Even after all suppliers have been given tickets, there are still a number left over. Is it unethical to give the extra tickets to family/friends? Does your answer change if you knew that if you gave the tickets back, the seats would go unfilled – i.e. the tickets would not be sold? Does your answer change if you knew that if you gave the tickets back, the seats would go unfilled – i.e. the tickets would not be sold?

Ethical Situations for Sport Managers (continued) At budget evaluation time, managers must check their expenses to ensure that they have not gone over budget. Sometimes although the budget balances, managers may go over in some areas and under in others. In order to ensure everything balances, some managers will list expenses under a different category (as opposed to the category they belong in). Is this ethical behaviour? At budget evaluation time, managers must check their expenses to ensure that they have not gone over budget. Sometimes although the budget balances, managers may go over in some areas and under in others. In order to ensure everything balances, some managers will list expenses under a different category (as opposed to the category they belong in). Is this ethical behaviour?

Assignment Question To be provided in class