Education

Ph.D., Kinesiology (Sport Management), University of Georgia
J.D., Tulane University
B.S., Political Science, Florida State University
B.S., International Affairs, Florida State University

Background

Cyntrice Thomas is a renowned academic and legal expert who combines her academic prowess with practical legal experience. Thomas specializes in sport law, particularly antitrust and labor laws within the sport industry. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and international affairs from Florida State University in 2001, a J.D. from Tulane University in 2004 and a Ph.D. in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management from the University of Georgia in 2012.

Thomas joined the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina after serving as a senior lecturer at the University of Florida, where she has taught various sport management courses since 2016. Her roles included developing new courses and serving as associate chair of the Sport Management Department. She has also held teaching positions at Jacksonville University and the University of Central Florida.

In addition to teaching, Thomas was actively involved in university administration and campus initiatives, serving on numerous committees. Her contributions to academia are further highlighted by her extensive research presentations and publications, including works on the application of antitrust law in sport.

Thomas has presented her research at various conferences, covering topics such as parental leave policies in sport organizations and FTC regulations on sport endorsements. She has received several honors, including being a nominee for the HHP Teacher of the Year and the recipient of the HHP Professional Development Award.

Awards / Honors

• HHP Graduation Recognition Ceremony Speaker, 2024
• HHP Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2021-22
• HHP Professional Development Award, 2018-19

Research Interests

• Application of law in sport industry
• Antitrust and labor law in professional and intercollegiate sport
• Patterns in judicial rulings in professional sports and governing bodies
• Student-athlete interests and rights in intercollegiate sport

Teaching

• SPTE 240 – Business Law
• SPTE 320 – Sport and the Law

Professional Affiliations

• Sport and Recreational Lawyers Association
• Sport Lawyers Association
• North American Society for Sport Management
• Sport Marketing Association
• Virginia State Bar (inactive)
• District of Columbia Bar

Book Chapters

Thomas, C., Baker III, T. A., Byon, K. K., & Qian, T. (2017). From federal baseball to American needle: An empirical examination of the treatment of professional sports leagues under antitrust law. In B. Pitts & J. Zhang (Eds.), Global sport management: Contemporary issues and inquiries. Routledge.

Research Publications

Thomas, C., Baker III, T. A., & Byon, K. K. (2013). The treatment of non-team sports under section one of the Sherman Act. Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal, 12(2), 296-314.

Baker, T. A., Maxcy, J., & Thomas, C. (2011). White v. NCAA: A chink in the NCAA armor. Journal of Legal Aspects in Sport, 21(1), 75-99. https://doi.org/10.1123/jlas.21.1.75