New South Wales Rugby League Limited & Ors v Phillip Adamson

The applicants, New South Wales Rugby League Limited and others, sought special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia. The respondents were Phillip Adamson and others. The dispute concerned restrictions imposed within professional team sport.

The primary legal issue before the Court was to determine the principles governing the standard of proof required of sporting bodies when establishing the reasonableness of restrictions. This was particularly relevant where such restrictions impacted the freedom of choice of prospective employers, were involuntary and non-contractual, and had not been in force for a significant period. The applicants also sought to correct an error in their affidavit.

Counsel for the applicants argued that the need for organisers of professional team sport to achieve evenness of competition and a fair sharing of talent was a significant factor in the context of voluntary restraints. The Court was invited to consider the historical tension between sporting organisers and professional players in this regard. The ultimate question of reasonableness was central to the appeal.