The National Football League hired Maria Sweet, age 14, to sing the National Ant

Question

The National Football League hired Maria Sweet, age 14, to sing the National Anthem at the February 2019 Super Bowl game in San Francisco, California. The arrangements were made verbally in June 2017. Maria agreed to perform and the National Football League agreed to pay her $200,000 for her performance. In July 2018, Maria was videotaped at a party saying that she hated football and that she believed that it was too violent and that children should not be allowed to play the game. As a result, the National Football League would like to cancel its contract with Maria. Explain whether or not the National Football League can cancel the contract and on what legal basis. On what legal bases might Maria cancel the contract?

Explanation / Answer

Law is a set of rules which is enforceable by the state, through courts, meant to enforce certain behaviour, as well as, regulate the relationship between the citizens and the government, as also, between one citizen and another. We are guided by a set of behaviours from a birth upto our death, all behaviours however are not governed by law but certain behaviours may be regarded as appropriate and be social conventions, not legally enforceable. Laws exist in every part of alliance in personal relationships, in professional relationships, as well as in social relationships and even Global responsibilities. Most laws, which are enforceable, are meant to provide protection and ensure that no individual suffers harm, due to negligence or deliberate intent of another.

Any contract is generally an agreement between two or more parties to perform an act, through entering into an agreement which is legally enforceable. There are certain major factors which need to be fulfilled for a contract to be considered valid and legally enforceable. One of the major factors is the existence of an agreement in writing which is the document which clearly states the reason for the contract, the consideration or benefits, including the terms and conditions applicable upon fulfillment of the promised obligation. The agreement should fulfill the Minimum requirements of a valid contract as provided by the law of contracts including the names and details of the parties, the subject matter of the contract and terms and conditions which bind it and make it imposable, void or terminable. The most significant factor is that it should be signed by both parties clearly validating acceptance by both or all parties involved, as any contract without acceptance is not enforceable and void ab initio, meaning void when it comes into existence itself. The agreement should clearly state that both the parties are legally competent to enter into the agreement, meaning they should be of a legal age should not be suffering from a mental disability, should not be bribed, coerced or threatened, or under influence of drugs or alcohol. Since Maria is a minor the contract is voidable unless it is in writing and ratified by a court, in special cases such as artists and performers. Maria can cancel the contract on the bases of her being a minor under the legal age of 18, the contract is voidable as it cannot be enforced upon a minor considered to be incompetent to enter a legally binding contract. The NFL can cancel the contract as it is verbal and not in writing nor ratified by the court which is mandatory for such contracts with minors below the legal age of 18 years. The contract is voidable as it does not fulfill the conditions essential for validating a contract of the contract being in writing, both parties being competent to contract, and in case of contract with a minor it being ratified by a court.

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