Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates, Sports Law

About

Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Skadden has one of the pre-eminent sports law practices in the country. We have successfully handled high-stakes matters for, among others, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the PGA TOUR, the United States Tennis Association and the Arena Football League, including litigation, antitrust, intellectual property, corporate, transactional, labor, insurance, player health safety, anti-doping and league governance issues. We also have represented numerous individual major league teams and their owners in general litigation, player disputes, mergers, acquisitions, stadium financings, venue leases, sponsorship agreements, corporate financings and project finance work.

Our attorneys have a thorough understanding of the legal challenges that can arise in the sports world and the best approaches for addressing those issues. We serve as a principal outside counsel to both the NBA and NHL and have been involved in nearly every major legal decision affecting these leagues for more than two decades. Additionally, we have played a principal role in many of the most high-profile disputes on behalf of professional and amateur sports organizations and teams.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sports Law - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Skadden has a highly renowned sports law practice with standout capabilities in a diverse range of contentious and noncontentious matters. The law firm offers exceptional proficiency in litigious concerns, with noteworthy experience in antitrust disputes, IP and labor-related issues. It is also knowledgeable about commercial transactions, licensing agreements and financing. The firm is not only for representing individual teams and owners, but also for acting as principal outside counsel to the NBA and NHL. It is also adept at advising on sports betting-related matters.

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Work Highlights

Skadden advised the National Hockey League (NHL) on sponsorship agreements, leasing, ticketing, events, licensing and other matters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

We needed more from them and they didn't run from that need, they called for reinforcements. Working with them has been genuinely great.

Sports Law respondent
USA

The team provides phenomenal client service and advice.

Sports Law respondent
USA

The Skadden team is always very helpful and responsive. Having a firm that understands our complexities as a corporation makes it so much easier when we are faced with litigation.

Sports Law respondent
USA

We needed more from them and they didn't run from that need, they called for reinforcements. Working with them has been genuinely great.

Sports Law respondent
USA

The team provides phenomenal client service and advice.

Sports Law respondent
USA

The Skadden team is always very helpful and responsive. Having a firm that understands our complexities as a corporation makes it so much easier when we are faced with litigation.

Sports Law respondent
USA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Anthony J. Dreyer

Band 1

Co-head of the sports law practice Anthony Dreyer is highly adept at advising on IP matters relating to the sports industry. He is held in particularly high regard among major leagues and associations, such as the NHL and NFL.

I think Anthony is great at client service, direct and efficient and a clear thinker.

Anthony listens to what our needs are and adjusts what he offers and how he offers it.

Anthony is very business-minded. He is someone we can put on calls with business people and he is able to explain things and give guidance without sounding legalistic.

Anthony is an excellent IP lawyer and we really value his judgment.

Anthony is a go-to for thorny enforcement issues. He is really good at understanding risks and convincing infringers.

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Karen Hoffman Lent

Band 1

Co-head of the firm's sports group, Karen Lent is particularly adept at representing sports associations and teams in proceedings relating to personal injury claims and antitrust disputes.

Karen is a fantastic adviser and provides phenomenal client services and advice.

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Matthew Martino

Band 4

Matthew Martino is a highly sought after sports lawyer with in-depth experience of antitrust matters. He is regularly instructed by high profile sporting associations to advise on licensing, ticketing and sponsorship matters among numerous other issues. He is able to bring a vast experience in class action cases to his clients.

Matt is very high value for money - we go to him for very targeted and expert advice. Something that takes an hour or two of his time may establish something very significant for our organization.

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Thaddeus Hartmann

Band 4

Thaddeus Hartmann is notably adept at advising clients on high-profile mergers and acquisitions in the space.

Thaddeus' way of working was excellent. He was really on top of everything throughout, and managed the topic really well, coordinating with me and keeping everyone informed.

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