Joining a professional sports league, however, does eliminate that. It is, in fact, part of CBAs and the players agree to it.
Thats fair. I admit, I dont know the specifics of the CBA. I'd imagine its a conversation of what the player is comfortable being released. Upper/lower etc. Id be glad to read about it though.
Edit: Heres some info,
Disclosure of Medical Information.
Clubs, the League, and the NHLPA may use, disclose and redisclose a Player's Medical Information for the purposes set forth in this Section 34.3, the SPC, and the Authorizations as reasonably required for professional sports operations and related to the Player's employment a san NHL hockey Player (or, as appropriate, Players' employment as NHL hockey Players).
Except with respect to uses, disclosures and redisclosures of Medical Information that are permitted under the CBA, the SPC, and the Authorizations, the Clubs, the NHLPA and the League shall not use, disclose or redisclose any Medical Information relating to a Player (unless stripped of all individual Player-identifying information) without the express, prior, written consent of the Player or as required by law.
For public relations purposes a Club, the League, and/or the NHLPA may disclose the following information: (A) for injuries sustained during the course of a Player's employment as a hockey Player with the Club, including, but not limited to, travel with his team or on business requested by the Club: (I) the nature of a Player's injury, (II) the prognosis and the anticipated length of recovery from the injury, and (III) the treatment and surgical procedures undertaken or anticipated in regard to the injury; and(B) for any other medical and/or health condition that prevents a Player from rendering services to his Club: (I) the fact that a medical and/or179ARTICLE 34 34.3-34.3health condition is preventing the Player from rendering services to the Club, and (II) the anticipated length of the Player's absence from the Club