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, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates has a highly renowned sports law practice with standout capabilities in a diverse range of contentious and non-contentious 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 law 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, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates successfully represented Columbia University in obtaining a dismissal of an antitrust class action regarding athletic scholarships.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They are very strategic, thoughtful and really impressive overall.

Sports Law respondent
USA

Skadden provides invaluable expertise that guides us towards decisions in the face of our most unique, high-leverage problems. It is deeply familiar with our business so understands the tradeoffs and consequences of its advice.

Sports Law respondent
USA

I appreciate the team's quick turnaround and pragmatic feedback, as well as their efficiency and speed.

Sports Law respondent
USA

I am very confident in the legal acumen of the Skadden team and know they do an excellent job of handling complex matters.

Sports Law respondent
USA

They are very strategic, thoughtful and really impressive overall.

Sports Law respondent
USA

I appreciate the team's quick turnaround and pragmatic feedback, as well as their efficiency and speed.

Sports Law respondent
USA

I am very confident in the legal acumen of the Skadden team and know they do an excellent job of handling complex matters.

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.

Anthony is the most versatile lawyer in the sports business. He is able to advise on all manner of sports issues and has impeccable legal instincts.

He is an excellent lawyer, extremely thorough and professional, with a great demeanor and high-level client service.

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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 always responsive and provides excellent insight and advice.

Karen is a wonderful litigator; she really has her finger on the pulse of where the law is heading in the industry and what the moving issues are.

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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.

Matthew is knowledgeable and experienced within the sports landscape, and a strong teammate in navigating complex issues.

He provides savvy and useful advice that factors enterprise risk along a broad strategic spectrum.

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