Steven B. Smith

Practice Areas

Known as the go-to sports law attorney, Steve has spent more than three decades representing clients across the Olympic movement, naming rights agreements, sponsorship and licensing agreements, television and media contracts, and stadium operations. He previously led the sports and entertainment practice at an Am Law 100 firm.

From sports leagues and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to major sports networks and corporate sponsors, Steve is the lawyer people want on their team.

Olympic Movement and National Governing Bodies (NGBs)

Steve is widely recognized as one of the leading attorneys in the Olympic Movement, representing more than 45 NGBs, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and eight International Sports Federations. His work includes handling arbitrations involving athlete eligibility and compliance with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, sponsorships and licensing agreements, event agreements, television and other media deals, protection of intellectual property, general issues of corporate law, and advising on a wide range of policies, including corporate governance, athlete safety/SafeSport, transgender issues, conflict of interest, and employment matters.

Naming Rights Agreements

With a total value of $3.6 billion in agreements, Steve advises and negotiates on behalf of corporate sponsors and sports properties. The representative deals include SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), Las Vegas Stadium, Progressive Field (Cleveland), Oracle Arena (Oakland), Gesa Field (Washington State University), Ameriquest Field (Arlington, TX), Qwest Field (Seattle), the 02 (London), Honda Center (Anaheim), Bank of America Stadium (North Carolina), Qwest Arena (Boise), and TD Ameritrade Park (Omaha). Throughout the U.S. and London, Steve has had a hand in creating some of the world’s most iconic entertainment landmarks.

Sponsorship and Licensing Agreements

Sponsors are the engine that keeps the sports world moving, and Steve is the one they rely on to navigate the deals that make it all possible. Sponsorship and licensing agreements are complex and nuanced, and Steve has assisted major corporations such as VISA, USG, SoFi, and Progressive with navigating these matters. He has even represented Ameriquest in its sponsorship of one of the biggest sporting events in the country – the Super Bowl halftime show. Furthermore, Steve has negotiated several deals involving Olympics teams, including USA Swimming’s partnership with AT&T, BMW, and Marriot; and U.S. Speedskating’s partnership with Verizon and Colbert Nation. These completed agreements, in total, are valued at an excess of $5.5 billion.

Television and Media Contracts

Steve has negotiated agreements on behalf of his clients with all of the major networks, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, and OLN/Versus. He advises and negotiates in all aspects of television and media rights agreements. In 2019, he completed negotiations on behalf of the Mountain West Conference for television deals with CBS and Fox, which reportedly exceeded $270 million in value. He has also advised clients on a number of agreements involving transmission of events via streaming and other digital media. Together, these deals emphasize Steve’s role in shaping modern sports media.

Stadium Operations

A key focus in Steve’s practice includes advising clients on the full spectrum of stadium and venue operations. These high‑stakes, high‑visibility matters are critical to the success of major sports organizations and entertainment facilities. His work spans negotiating and drafting agreements involving ticketing systems, concessions and food‑service partnerships, pouring rights, premium seating, advertising and sponsorship integration, and broadcasting and television operations.

Professional Sports Leagues and Teams

Sports leagues and teams are the backbone of the sports industry, and Steve represents several of them. He represents the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the Big West Conference, the Big Sky Conference, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Sunshine State Conference and several professional baseball leagues. He regularly advises clients on athlete eligibility matters, agreements for use of athlete images, team selection, sponsorships and licensing agreements, event agreements, television and other media deals, protection of intellectual property, and general issues of corporate law. Steve’s longstanding relationships with major sports organizations makes him a trusted advisor on the most complex matters in the industry.

Across every aspect of the sports industry, Steve brings clarity, strategic insight, and seasoned judgment. His decades of leadership and results continue to set the standard for excellence in sports law.