California Sports Equipment Regulated for Safety by CSAC

A top-rated trial attorney in the state of California and co-founder of the national law firm Michelman & Robinson, LLP, Sanford Michelman has won numerous lawsuits, from class actions to government cases. In addition, Sanford Michelman has considerable experience within the sports industry. Sanford Michelman played a significant role in licensing sports participation through an appointment to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Administered by California's Department of Consumer Affairs, CSAC is dedicated to enhancing health and safety in the public sphere. A semiautonomous board, CSAC makes regulatory decisions regarding amateur and professional sports, including kickboxing, boxing, and mixed martial arts.

Regulations from CSAC range from rules of the game to lists of acceptable equipment for sports meets. For example, the commission issued a list of boxing gloves that meet required specifications for use at professional and amateur boxing meets. California's lead athletic inspector Mark Relyea and executive officer Andy Foster oversaw the extensive research and examination process for approval of the gloves.

California State Athletic Commission - Protecting California Athletes

With nearly two decades of legal experience, Sanford Michelman is the co-founder and Chairman of Michelman & Robinson, LLP. In addition to managing a law firm, Sanford Michelman served on the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for six years, from 1999 to 2005. 

Part of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the California State Athletic Commission oversees and regulates competitive sporting events, including professional mixed martial arts, amateur and professional kickboxing, and amateur and professional boxing. To ensure that events are handled as safely as possible, the CSAC is guided by eight different stated goals, from operational efficiency and effectiveness to health and safety, among others. In addition to processing applications and ensuring athletes, coaches, and promoters meet CSAC standards, the organization enforces the Professional Boxers Bill of Rights.

Created as a result of the Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996 and the Muhammad Ali Reform Act of 2000, the Professional Boxers Bill of Rights is primarily concerned with the health and well-being of the athletes. The thirteen points of the Bill of Rights define the guidelines that the CSAC enforces and that all athletes and others must follow. The document also ensures that the athletes have complete access to information about their opponents, the distribution of the award purse, and their contracts. Additionally, it covers the steps an athlete may take to appeal his or her suspension.