(VALPARAISO, IN) -- United States speedskater Shani Davis has received the arbitrator's ruling in his grievance against US Speedskating, filed before the last Winter Olympic Games. The matter in question was Mr. Davis' declining to display on his uniform some logos of a US Speedskating sponsor.

Mr. Davis has been awarded compensation equal to approximately four months of the training stipend provided in the Athlete's Agreement with USS. Mr. Davis was found to have violated his Athlete's Agreement with US Speedskating (USS), which USS terminated after the violation occurred.

Mr. Davis was represented in this proceeding by the Valpo Sports Law Clinic (www.sportslawclinic.org), a pro bono service of Valparaiso University School of Law, which serves amateur athletes on the basis of need. Arbitrator Stephen B. Smith of Holme Roberts and Owen was agreed on by Mr. Davis and USS and the cost of his services is being shared equally.

The US Speedskating Athlete's Agreement allows individual athletes to sign contracts with personal sponsors and to wear their logos if USS is without similar agreements. If USS subsequently obtains sponsorhip, the athlete is then required to discontinue wearing his/her individual sponsor's logo. Mr. Davis wore both his and USS sponsor logos, USS terminated his Athlete's Agreement and sides went to arbitration.

Mr. Davis signed a sponsorship agreement with a financial company, and USS later reached a similar agreement with a communications firm. Mr. Davis declined to wear that firm's large logo on the left leg of his uniform but did wear a smaller version and those of all other USS sponsors. Mr. Davis also continued to wear his individual sponsor's logo.

Director of the Valpo Sports Law Clinic is Michael Straubel, Associate Professor at Valparaiso University School of Law. Media Relations Consultant is Tom Shaer, President of Tom Shaer Media, Chicago.