Columns - Irish Examiner

Jack Anderson

Jack Anderson is a professor of sports law and global expert in governance, and regulation. He advises sporting bodies and contributes widely to public debate – as well as being a Limerick hurling supporter.

Kobe McDonald with fans after the match 6/9/2026

Jack Anderson: If the GAA asked for legal advice on the AFL threat, here's what I'd say

Talk of a scheme whereby the movement of GAA players to the AFL could be restrained should be treated with legal caution.

Fri, 11 Sep, 2026

Jack Anderson: Sydney Swans scandal puts AFL culture under scrutiny again

As the controversy plays out, wider questions are being asked about the AFL’s culture.

Fri, 28 Aug, 2026

Jack Anderson: Player concussions nothing to snicker about with rugby lawsuits pending

The Geelong controversy shows once again that the law is no way to approach this issue.

Fri, 14 Aug, 2026

Scotland v Brazil - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group C - Miami Stadium

Jack Anderson: GAA can learn lessons from VAR controversies at World Cup

The GAA should tread carefully on the wider rollout of VAR. Where do you draw the line with its use?

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

Cork v Offaly - GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final

Jack Anderson: We cannot allow tradition to get in the way of improvement

This year should be a warning for hurling.

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026

Kerry v Donegal - GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1

Jack Anderson: The GAA's McGuinness mess: Five ways to avoid a repeat

Only in Ireland can you define paranoid as worrying that no one is out to get you.

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Jack Anderson: What the GAA can learn from AFL on TV rights and championship format

A world apart, the two associations have a lot in common.

Fri, 22 May, 2026

Shane O'Donnell and Diarmaid Byrnes 3/5/2026

Jack Anderson: Why concussion means we all need to get our head in the game

Conflating concussion in sport to a matter of public health carries with it the risk of letting individual sports off the hook.

Fri, 08 May, 2026

FC Barcelona v RCD Espanyol de Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports

Jack Anderson: Business first, sport second. Same as it ever was

AI can, at bewildering speed, help clubs collect, manage and analyse huge amounts of fan data. And the more fans you can target, the more money you can extract from them

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Tipperary v Limerick - Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship Round 1

S Jack Anderson: Championship pull as powerful abroad as it is at home

For those of us in Australia, the first thing you look for in a championship fixture is not where it takes place or even against whom, but at what time.

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026