Basketball Refs Learn to Play Defense

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - April 7, 2016 - PRLog -- As the school and college basketball seasons come to a close, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials prepares to hold its Annual Meeting later this month in Orlando. Popularly known as "IAABO," the nation's largest basketball referees' organization will host local Board officers from some 38 states and several foreign countries to prepare for another season in the Association's 94^th year of operation.

Basketball referees, like all officials, have seen their legal responsibilities increase in the wake of assaults during games, recent rules changes targeting trash talking; and new state laws governing sports-related concussions. While referees' legal duties have multiplied; referees still have legal rights - to be free from violent attacks from players, coaches and spectators; and to be allowed to perform their function of calling the game without interference from persons who refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

With this in mind, IAABO counsel Al Goldberger, a former three-sport official, and the author of "Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide" will speak to the Association's board officers on "Defending Your Officials: A Practical Guide for IAABO Boards." The presentation is part of the IAABO Annual Meeting, to be held at the Wyndham Orlando Resort from April 21-24, 2016.

---------------------------

ABOUT ALAN GOLDBERGER

Alan Goldberger is a New Jersey attorney whose practice focuses on sports, business and administrative law, sports and athletic risk management, and related litigation. Based in Florham Park, Morris County, New Jersey, Goldberger is a member of the NJ, NY and MD bars.  He counsels clients nationwide in sports industry risk management and liability defense, business-related disputes, administrative hearings and contractual relations. He is the author of "Sports Officiating: A Legal Guide," the recognized authority on the "law" for referees, umpires and other officials. He officiated college and high school basketball and baseball; and high school football for more than 30 years.

Al is a frequent speaker to groups of officials, assigners and conference coordinators, coaches, sports program administrators, attorneys and others involved in sports. His work has been featured in numerous national publications, including Referee Magazine, Athletic Business Magazine, Sports Business Daily, NJBIZ, and numerous newspaper, radio and television appearances including CBS This Morning, The New York Times, USA Today, The New Jersey Law Journal, the New York Times' feature "Room For Debate," Fox News' "Fox & Friends," ESPN "Outside the Lines," ABC News' "Good Morning America," MS-NBC "Weekend with Alex Witt," CNN's "New Day," NBC News' "Today Show," and the A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast Series.

A past-president of IAABO's 1000-member North Jersey Board of Approved Basketball Officials, Goldberger officiated football, basketball and baseball for more than 30 years.

For further information, please visit www.RefLaw.com.