Legal Challenges of Player Transfer Contracts in Professional Sports: Focusing on Emerging Conditions in the Global Sports Market

The globalization of professional sports has profoundly transformed the legal landscape of player transfer contracts, introducing novel challenges and complexities. This study systematically examines the legal issues arising from international player transfers, with particular emphasis on the evolving dynamics of global sports markets. Employing a mixed-methods approach, we analyzed 120 transfer contracts from major football and basketball leagues between 2015 and 2024, utilizing advanced statistical techniques such as Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Multivariate Regression Analysis to identify key legal risk factors and their interrelations. Results reveal that regulatory discrepancies, third-party ownership, and cross-border dispute resolution are the most significant legal challenges, often exacerbated by recent market disruptions and digitalization trends. The findings underscore the urgent need for harmonized international regulations and proactive risk management strategies by clubs, agents, and governing bodies. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to foster transparency, fairness, and legal certainty in the rapidly evolving global sports marketplace.