Lacrosse Coaching Conflict of Interest

by Anonymous
(US)

In your professional opinion, is it a conflict of interest for a high school head coach to also own a pro shop catering to the same sport he/she is coaching?

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Answer

Great question. In my opinion it is not. Let's face it. There are a limited number of interested experts in the field. Many Lacrosse (as well as other sports) coaches and leagues are run and managed by folks who also have a shop or some business interest related to the sport. So no I don't think that alone is a conflict of interest.

Where I have seen problems is when an owner of those shops requires kids to purchase gear or anything from them. If they are mandating that all gear be purchased from their store then that is a conflict of interest. That is not to say they can't offer gear to the kids as a service. They may even be able to offer a discount as a result of volume sales that benefit both the program and the kids. Those are good things for everyone, but when they are saying you have to buy your gear from me, then that can become a problem.
And yes that in my opinion is a conflict of interest.

Hope that helps,

Jamey