Combat Sports Law

This summer the Nevada State Athletic Commission is looking to overhaul its regulatory scheme with significant new combat sports regulations.  Among these include reforms allowing the NSAC to oversee promoter anti-doping contracts along with formal adoption of stricter (and consistent) anti doping penalties.

Another noteworthy change will close the door on the blood-doping and IV loophole that arguably exists in Nevada.

Nevada’s current legislation is not clear on whether IV use is prohibited and arguably it is not.  This loophole is wide enough to potentially allow blood doping as Nevada’s regulations don’t currently expressly adopt WADA prohibited methods.  I have previously brought this loophole to the NSAC’s attention and, whether in response to my inquiries or of their own accord, the Nevada’s new regulations will clearly outlaw IV use and blood doping by expressly adopting WADA prohibited methods.

The proposed rule changes expressly refer to prohibited ‘methods‘ in several sections with the overhauled section 467.850(f) specifically reading as follows

With the exception of stimulants listed in section S-5 and S- 6 of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List, which are to be prohibited at all times, any prohibited substance or method drug identified on the most current edition of the Prohibited List published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”), which is hereby adopted by reference. The most current edition of the Prohibited List may be obtained, free of charge, at the Internet address http://www.wada-ama.org. WADA’s definitions, prohibited lists, prohibited methodologies and tolerance levels will be used in interpreting violations of NAC 467.850 et.seq.