Department profile
Foley & Lardner LLP

Sports Law

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Foley & Lardner LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Foley & Lardner LLP

Foley’s Sports & Entertainment attorneys represent the interests of professional and amateur sports organizations and related businesses with a full range of legal services designed specifically for the sports and entertainment industry.

For nearly 15 years, Chambers USA has recognized Foley as one of the top sports practices in the country. Foley’s multidisciplinary Sports & Entertainment Industry Team provides comprehensive, integrated legal counsel for the full range of commercial and regulatory issues facing organizations in the industry.

Our team is comprised of lawyers with the highest level of legal acumen, as well as numerous professionals who have held high-profile leadership positions in the sports industry. With our inside perspective and knowledge, we help clients acquire or sell sports franchises; find creative solutions for sports facility development, financing, and construction; and negotiate long-term media deals. Our clients include franchises and leagues, amateur and collegiate teams, owners, stadium operators, sponsors, promoters, developers, and sporting goods manufacturers. We also provide legal services for major championship events for the MLB, NFL, Special Olympics, and FIFA. Drawing on our historical breadth and depth of experience in sports, we are now helping clients navigate the dynamically growing esports industry.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sports Law - USA - Nationwide

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Foley & Lardner LLP has extensive expertise in corporate transactions, media rights deals and advising on the development of sports stadiums. The law firm acts for clients, including universities, leagues and teams, on contentious and non-contentious antitrust, tax, IP and labor matters. It demonstrates particular strengths in team transactions including significant franchise acquisitions, and handles high value sponsorship, media rights and licensing deals for major teams and competitions.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Foley & Lardner LLP represented the NCAA in two antitrust cases brought by student athletes challenging its eligibility rules.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are very responsive and communicative, extremely patient, but also extremely cognizant of the end game and where we want to get to as a business.

    Sports Law respondentUSA
  • Foley & Lardner's expertise and experience in the industry is its biggest strength. The team goes above and beyond, within an ever-changing industry.

    Sports Law respondentUSA
  • Foley & Lardner is always responsive and provides great service.

    Sports Law respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Jonathan L Israel
    Band 3Jonathan L Israel

    Jonathan L Israel

    Practice cochair, Jonathan Israel is particularly adroit at advising investors and organizations on investments into the industry. He is also adept at handling employment and litigation matters for sports teams.

    • Jonathan is beyond knowledgeable, he really cares about the work and is a part of our organization.

      Sports Law respondentUSA
  • Band 4Kevin Schulz
    Band 4Kevin Schulz

    Kevin Schulz

    Cochair of the sports practice, Kevin Schulz advises high profile clients on M&A and sponsorship agreements, among other matters.

Ranked Individuals at Foley & Lardner LLP (2)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Foley & Lardner LLP

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