The benefits of sports and entertainment mediation to solve disputes are extensive.  First and foremost, in an industry that struggles to maintain the privacy of its talent, the discretion provided by mediation as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) versus litigation can’t be overstated.  Second, in an industry where getting back to business as quickly as possible is absolutely necessary, and where patrons or consumers will lose interest if negotiations are stalled too long (meaning money lost on a grand scale) mediation provides a cost-effective solution that allows both sides involved in a conflict to reach a resolution as quickly as possible—in most cases, within a matter of days or weeks.

One of the most difficult issues faced by parties in conflict within the sports and entertainment industry is the different ways each party handles business and sets rules.  A talent agent has one way of dealing with things, while the talent has another.  A studio executive has one set of concerns, while the director or talent has an entirely different set.  This is why mediation with the help of a neutral, third party mediator can be such a useful tool in solving conflicts that might arise between the different groups involved in the sports and entertainment industry—from the executives, to the league owners, to the player and talent, to the technical and assistant crew that makes sure the show happens on time and without a hitch.

A mediator with extensive legal experience in the sports and entertainment industry understands how each facet works.  He or she is able to talk through issues and reframe the conflict in a way that helps each side understand more thoroughly.  A mediator is trained in helping everyone involved see the issue from each perspective, helping them to work together to reach a satisfactory conclusion for everyone involved.  After all, without the talent, the owners or executives wouldn’t be where they are, and vice versa.  It takes working together on a mutually agreeable solution for everyone involved to be happy with the result of the mediation process.