George Haywood L’27 was selected as the recipient of the 2026 Carol Blanck ’70 and Robert Tannenhauser ‘66 Communication and Media Law Student Research Paper Award. The prize is awarded to a law student who demonstrates excellence in the law and journalism.
Haywood’s paper, “Eat It, Then Beat It: How Major League Eating Has Avoided Liability in an Inherently Dangerous and Highly Publicized Sport”, was selected by Professor Roy Gutterman L’00 for the award.
Synopsis:
The paper explores the robust free speech protections in the United States within the context of media and mass communication, using professional sports and entertainment leagues as a lens for analysis. With a particular focus on Major League Eating, an organization that generates upwards of one billion annual impressions, the paper examines why broadcasters have rarely faced legal liability when viewers are injured attempting to replicate conduct seen on television.
Courts have consistently declined to hold broadcasters responsible for so-called “copycat” injuries, a pattern grounded in First Amendment protections for depictions of conduct. Major League Eating exemplifies how American media law creates space for compelling, boundary-pushing entertainment to reach mass audiences without the chilling effect of broadcaster liability. The research analyzes both the constitutional and policy rationales that support this framework, arguing that these protections reflect a deliberate and principled commitment to free expression. This commitment allows organizations like Major League Eating to thrive and connect with fans across the country and the world.
University Professor Peter Blanck established the award in honor of Carol Blanck ’70 and Robert Tannenhauser ’66, with the award program administered by Gutterman. With the growing need for well-qualified communication law and policy professionals, this award supports law students who write or deliver original research regarding any topic related to mass communication and society by demonstrating excellence in law and journalism.
