Big news for both legal and athletic circles—Rutgers Athletics and Rutgers Law School are teaming up on a pretty bold externship program. Law students will get to dive right in, working alongside the athletics department on legal, compliance, and policy work.
It’s a real chance to see what goes on behind the scenes in college sports law. We’re talking about things like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, NCAA compliance, contracts, and governance issues.
Students can expect to get their hands dirty with actual cases and projects. Rutgers says this is part of their push for academic excellence and professional development—something they seem to take seriously.
Expanding Legal Education Through Sports
Rutgers Law School wants to broaden access to legal education. By joining forces with Rutgers Athletics, they’re opening up a new path for students interested in sports law or even managing pro teams one day.
Dean Johanna Bond points out that Rutgers Law already has a solid track record in sports law. This externship, she says, just builds on that foundation.
Hands-On Experience in College Sports Law
This externship isn’t just about sitting in a classroom. Students will work right alongside Senior Associate Athletic Director of Revenue and Contract Management, Chris Chung.
- Digging into NCAA rules, conference regulations, and state NIL laws
- Looking over contracts and sponsorship deals
- Helping with compliance and drafting policies
- Drafting and checking employment docs
- Working on scholarship agreements
- Pitching in on risk management and governance projects
It’s a lot, but honestly, it’s the kind of experience you just can’t get from a textbook.
A Unique Learning Opportunity
Chris Chung says this externship stands out because students will actually help with the daily legal work inside the athletics department. It’s not just a win for the students—having more legal minds around helps the department too.
Preparing the Next Generation of Sports Attorneys
This is about mentoring future sports lawyers. Students who go through this program will have a leg up when it comes to understanding how law, governance, and athletics all connect.
Launch and Future Prospects
The externship kicks off in fall 2026. Rutgers sees this as a big step in boosting legal education and helping students get ready for their careers.
It’ll be interesting to see how many students jump at the chance to work in sports law. There’s a good bet this program will draw a pretty diverse crowd.
Strengthening Rutgers’ Academic and Professional Community
This collaboration between Rutgers Athletics and Rutgers Law School is a pretty great example of how schools can shake things up for their students. They’re blending hands-on experience with classroom learning in a way that feels fresh and, honestly, overdue.
Rutgers is pushing legal education in a new direction. This externship program isn’t just for the lucky students who get in—it’s got ripple effects for the whole Rutgers community.
Want more details? Check out the official announcement.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
