Irwin Kishner

Irwin Kishner is co-chair of the firm’s Sports Law Group. He has acted as lead counsel on innumerable matters in the sports industry advising the most important factions in the sports world on legal, strategic and operational issues.

Irwin has been at the helm of some of the most novel and highly valued deals entered into by a panoply of sports legends –from professional teams, leagues, owners, broadcasters, media companies, concession companies, financial institutions, investment banks, private equity funds, bond insurers, marketing companies, players and other industry participants.

He has advised on high-profile team acquisitions and dispositions; media contracts; internet and intellectual property rights; joint ventures; credit facilities; sales of interests in professional sports teams; financings representing both lenders as well as teams; advertising, concession, stadium operations and sponsorship contracts; wagering matters; naming rights agreements; franchise and league structuring; PSLs; and executive compensation and employment arrangements. His representations include sports dynasties such as MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS, teams, as well as college and minor league teams and international sports including surfing, parkour, thoroughbred racing, soccer, e-sports and formula one racing.

He has extensive experience handling large-scale transactions in the sports space representing a spectrum of sports dynasties. He has acted as primary counsel on several prominent team acquisitions and dispositions in all of the major sports leagues; cable television and radio contracts; internet and intellectual property rights; joint ventures; credit facilities; advertising and sponsorship contracts; development and naming rights agreements; franchise transfers and financings; major event and tournament promotions; and seat license agreements for stadiums and arenas. He has acted as lead counsel in all aspects of fourteen major stadium transactions. He also represents financial institutions and bond insurers in stadium finance matters and loans to teams and team owners.

He serves on the board of several sports organizations. He frequently lectures on issues in the sports world and has spoken at several Law Schools, Universities and on industry panel. He has provided his professional insight in an array of broadcast interviews and is frequently quoted in national and international media.