Sports Law | USA

Covington & Burling is an extremely well-respected firm with a deep bench of practitioners advising on high-profile contentious and non-contentious mandates. Represents some of the largest sporting organizations in the country, including teams, leagues, colleges and conferences, with further experience acting for sporting bodies from the wider American continent. Also a prominent player in the e-sports sector. Noted for its expertise in media issues, financing and M&A, as well as tax-related matters. Skilled in handling industry-wide litigation including class actions.

Proskauer Rose has a strong bench of seasoned practitioners, with enviable experience in large-scale M&A, complex financing, real estate matters, media rights issues and labor and employment negotiations. Acts for an outstanding portfolio of clients, with experience advising major leagues, investors into varied sports ventures and leading sports teams. Also offers broad litigation capabilities, which includes handling employment and discrimination disputes.

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

BCLPoffers a highly capable team that maintains a strong sports law practice that is international in scope. Adeptly advises on significant antidoping mandates for antidoping agencies and sporting organizations. Respected for its work with international sporting bodies and domestic minor leagues as well as emerging sports. Other areas of expertise include naming rights, sponsorship agreements, stadium development and corporate transactions.

DLA Piper has an established practice valued for its long-standing expertise in a range of transactional and development matters. Advises an impressive portfolio of sports teams, leagues and broadcasters on a range of complex concerns, with notable expertise in stadium development, financing, employment and real estate mandates. Visible recently in major sponsorship deals and trademark disputes. Able to leverage the firm's impressive global network on cross-border mandates.

Latham & Watkins has a well-regarded sports law group that acts for a stellar client base in a variety of contentious and non-contentious matters. Has aptitude in a broad array of issues relating to the broadcasting and media space, including the acquisition of sports distribution rights. Offers notable expertise in new media and digital distribution within the sports sector. Has an impressive reputation for the diversity of its client base, including sports technology companies, major international bodies such as the IOC, and leagues and teams.

Winston & Strawn is a highly regarded litigation practice also relied upon by big-name clients for ongoing corporate advisory services. Routinely represents premier athletes and players' associations in arbitrations, antitrust cases and personal conduct disputes. Experienced in representing media companies, government entities and sponsors. Also offers high-end advice on non-contentious matters, including employment and marketing agreements. Has capacity to handle major equal employment opportunity and discrimination matters.

ArentFox Schiff is a leading force in the specialist area of naming rights and sponsorship, an area in which the firm has carved out a dominant niche. Strong track record advising on sports arena financing, construction projects and other corporate transactions. Has notable experience negotiating and drafting media rights agreements. Additionally offers counsel on the use of innovative technologies in the sports sector.

Foley & Lardner has extensive expertise in corporate transactions, media rights deals and advising on the development of sports stadiums. Acts for clients, including universities, leagues and teams, on contentious and noncontentious antitrust, tax, IP and labor mandates. Demonstrates particular strengths in team transactions including significant franchise acquisitions. Handles high-value sponsorship, media rights and licensing deals for major teams and competitions.

Herrick, Feinstein is recognized for its work with some of the most storied names in American sports, but also home to an ever-expanding client roster of teams, leagues and investors. Provides counsel on complex disputes and daily advisory needs across a number of sports. Regularly advises on multimillion-dollar financing and refinancing deals. Recent experience also includes entertainment and intellectual property transactions.

Katten has a strong team with an enviable client base of top teams in basketball and baseball, in addition to numerous other sports. Also acts for buyer groups, unions and developers in sports matters. Represents a number of key players in the market with respect to sporting arena developments, media rights deals, financing and broadcasting. Also assists clients on regulatory matters such as compliance with league regulations.

O’Melveny & Myers has a wealth of experience structuring deals for established sports clients. Noted expertise in team and company M&A, league sponsorship and stadium development. A growing esports practice, advising on the acquisition of esports entities, tournament hosting negotiations, and sponsorship. Capable of handling cross-border ventures, including deals involving broadcasting rights and licensing agreements. The firm is also equipped to advise on investigations for teams and organizations.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison has a broad offering which demonstrates strength in a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Highly sought after for its expertise in investigations and high-profile disputes, particularly in relation to concussion. Also capable of handling M&A transactions as well as matters relating to licensing agreements and sponsorship deals. Sought out by a diverse client base made up of international sporting bodies, private corporations and individuals.

Arnold & Porter offers strong capabilities in representing leagues, teams and associations in contentious issues. The firm provides noteworthy strength in handling antitrust matters, and is further equipped to handle complex IP, patent and copyright disputes. The team also leverages additional skill to advise players in appellate matters.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has a respected practice that boasts notable strength in both litigation and arbitration proceedings relating to the sports industry. Has noteworthy strength in handling transactional matters whereby the team advises investors and sports companies in high value M&A and financings. Also brings expertise to corporate matters, media rights issues and stadium developments. Maintains a diverse client roster made up of leagues, associations, athletes and media groups.

The Global Sports Advocates team is renowned throughout the market for its strength in advising athletes in complex sports disputes. The group has handled a vast range of matters including breach of contract and IP disputes. The practitioners demonstrate considerable strength in assisting clients facing allegations of antidoping rule violations. The team is adept at handling both domestic and international issues.

Holland & Knight services clients with a multidisciplinary team with experience in both contentious and noncontentious matters. The team offers noteworthy strength in handling employment contract agreements. The firm also represents teams and players in business disputes and sensitive investigations. Its members are adept in advising businesses seeking to form partnerships and establish sponsorships with sports leagues. The members are also equipped to advise on transactional matters, such as mergers and acquisitions.

Mintz's sports practice is held in high regard throughout the market. The team advises a vast range of clients including teams, leagues and athletes, among others. The group provides counsel on a broad spectrum of matters including sponsorship, regulatory and licensing issues. The practitioners are adept at handling transactions, although they demonstrate further strength in representing clients in litigation. Mintz' team has further strength in the esports space.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius' team boasts notable strength in handling transactional matters, including financings and acquisitions. The group's clients include leagues, investors and universities. The practitioners are also adept at handling IP-related issues. It is a well-rounded practice that has further experience of handling employment and sponsorship work.

Sidley Austin has a strong team that has excellent transactional and corporate capabilities. Acting for teams, leagues and investors, the firm advises on complex cross-border M&A as well as on financings and joint ventures. The team also offers further prowess in representing governments and universities in facility matters, including naming rights and stadium development.

Sullivan & Cromwell provides broad multidisciplinary expertise to service teams, leagues, owners and investors. It leverages transactional and corporate abilities to assist on M&A and joint ventures. The firm is also adept in handling litigation matters and investigations. Offering additional skill in real estate matters, the firm represents stadium developments and financings.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges' sports practice is held in high regard throughout the market. The practitioners have considerable experience in handling commercial disputes on behalf of athletes and players' associations. The team also provides counsel on investigations of alleged misconduct. Its attorneys have further strength in assisting clients with significant transactions. The firm is also adept at representing clients in antitrust litigation.