Domestic Violence In Sports Essay

Webb (2012) found that in the United States close to twenty- five percent of women will experience physical violence by their current or former husbands or boyfriends during their lifetime. He continues to say that intimate partner violence is the single major cause of injury to women and up to 50% of all femicide cases result from a domestic violence incident (Webb, 2012). There is an argument that athletes are more inclined to be a perpetrator of domestic violence when compared to the general population (Webb, 2012). Police reports during January 1989 and November 1994 show that 56% of current and former professional football players were accused of violent behavior toward women (Webb, 2012). In order to play in the National Football
The commissioner has the authority to do so as each player agrees to abstain from any act on and/or off the field that is unfavorable to the sport (Webb, 2012). However, the giving the commissioner this power is a conflict of interest because he has a duty to please the sponsors, the fan, at even possibly some players and the teams (if they have a close relationship). An example of the commissioner’s favoritism is Ben Roethlisberger. Ben has been accused of sexual assault twice as a Steeler, the first in 2008 and the second in 2010 (Perez & Gazette-Journal, 2012). The commissioner responded by suspending Ben for six games, but he was able to convince the commissioner that he changed his life (Perez & Gazette-Journal, 2012). Ben was allowed to return to field only suspended from four games instead of six (Perez & Gazette-Journal, 2012). Some of the disciplinary actions imposed may include: suspension from games, a fine, termination of the contract, releasing the player and the player being banned from the NFL (Webb, 2012). Furthermore, even if the individual team determines the disciplinary action for a player, the commissioner has the authority to refer the plan to the Executive