It would seem to me that Sherman would NOT apply to the CFL for the obvious reason--the CFL is in Canada so U.S. anti-trust law doesn't apply to a Canadian sports league operating solely in Canada (unlike a few years back when there were franchises in several U.S. cities), unless . . . ??

 Anonymous -- 8/25/2007 1:36 PM  

I agree that US laws are not applicable in Canada. Although, probably would be a good thing for Vick to go to Canada and get away from some of his homeboys. Of course I'm sure as part of his probation he will probably be prohibited from associating with felons.

He would need a passport and who knows what kind of restrictions may arise in the next couple of years in order for him to get one.

Part of his sentence will probably include probation. In the plea, it states it can be up to 3 years. I'm not sure he would be allowed to travel out of the country while on probation. He may also have to complete community service as part of his sentence.

His financial records will be part of the court records. At that time we will know how much of the $66 million he has received in the last 6 years he still has. He may not need to rush into a job right away.

 Anonymous -- 8/25/2007 3:32 PM  

the Sherman Act CAN apply to foreign entities.

for example:

The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has held that the Sherman Act regulates conduct directed at foreign markets to the extent that the conduct causes injury to United States commerce by (i) reducing the competitiveness of a domestic market or (ii) making possible anticompetitive conduct directed at domestic markets.

Kruman v. Christie’s Int’l Plc, 2002 WL 398290 (2d Cir., Mar. 13, 2002)

 Jimmy H -- 8/25/2007 3:37 PM  

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, but it seems to me there must be other examples of professional sports leagues honoring each other's suspensions. The NHL and the European leagues have long had agreements in place in this regard, and I have to believe the Arena League would refuse employment to Vick just as the CFL would.

Surely Jose Offerman won't be allowed back into major league baseball if the independent league he'd been playing in ends up banning him for life? Surely that moron basketball player who choked his coach a few years back wouldn't have been allowed to just go play in the D-League?

Regardless, the Sherman Act can try to apply itself to the CFL all it wants, but there's the little matter of being able to enforce any penalties a court might set. I doubt the CFL has any assets in the U.S. that could be seized, and they're probably paying to get any of their U.S. TV carriage anyway - if it's blocked, it's not like they're losing a major revenue source.

Besides, this is all moot. Ricky Williams was able to come work in Canada because his suspension was drug-related and I don't believe - although I could be wrong - there was any criminal conviction. With a federal record, even absent the Ricky Williams rule, there's absolutely no way that Michael Vick would be allowed into Canada by the customs cops, let alone granted a work visa to play in the CFL.

 Sean Boulton -- 8/25/2007 5:55 PM  

Vick will require special Canadian government permission to enter Canada as visitor much less to be able to obtain a work permit once his conviction is entered.

The CFL limits their 40 man roster to no more than 21 foreign born players. They also have or had some sort of financial support from the NFL.

 Mark -- 8/25/2007 8:03 PM  

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