The Jurisprudence of the Digital field: Addressing Algorithmic Bias and the Legal Literacy Gap in the Evolution of Indian Sports Law

The contemporary sporting landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift, transitioning from a purely physical contest to a data-driven digital ecosystem. This research paper explores the evolution of sports law through the lens of artificial intelligence (AI), data governance, and the emerging statutory framework in India. At the heart of this transformation is the ‘digital field’; a conceptual and legal space where biometric data, performance analytics, and algorithmic decision-making convergence occur. The analysis evaluates the National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), 2025 and the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, assessing their efficacy in protecting athlete rights and providing access to justice. By identifying critical gaps in current regulations particularly regarding implicit coercion in data collection and the lack of specialized expertise in the newly established National Sports Tribunal (NST) this paper proposes a co-ownership model of data sovereignty. It argues that while India has moved from a non-binding executive code to a statutory regime, systematic reforms are required to address the power asymmetries between athletes and sporting institution. The report further examines the ethical dimension of AI-driven scouting, the dual loyalty trap forced by team physicians, and the environmental sustainability of the digital infrastructure supporting modern sports. The research identifies critical failures, such as the narrowing of RTI access under Section 14(2) of the NSGA, 2025 and the static composition of adjudicatory bodies that lack sport specific technological expertise. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a ‘co-ownership model’ of data sovereignty and the enactment of an Athlete Bill of Rights. This ensures that India’s 2036 Olympic bid is supported by a legal framework that protects athletes as empowered stakeholders rather than mere data points.