Areas of Focus
Morgan Lewis helps global sports investors, financiers, and owners navigate complex legal terrain and effectively execute sophisticated deals across the sports industry. We advise on key financial arrangements and ROI imperatives that comply with league rules and industry norms.
- Mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, and various funding initiatives
- Private investments, stadium builds, and income-based financings
- Business deals for sponsors, TV rights, and brand assets
- Financial restructurings and bankruptcy advice
- Resolution of litigation specific to the sports world
- Tax planning and regulatory compliance
We serve sports media, sponsor, and retail clients, including those involved in the expanding women’s sports markets, in navigating global brand expansion, socially conscious partnerships, sports betting collaborations, evolving NIL policies, media rights, and responsible AI practices.
- Sponsorships, media rights, player endorsements, and event-hosting contracts
- Event licenses, venue agreements, and event management and safety
- Sponsorship deals, merchandising agreements, and licensing arrangements
- IP counsel, including trademark registration, copyright protection, and licensing
- Employment contracts, workplace policies, and labor and sports governance law compliance
Unleashing the power of women's sports is a revolution in athletic achievement and economic growth. We provide unparalleled legal representation to athletes, organizations, and investors across this dynamic global market.
- Pioneering equal pay agreements and innovative revenue models
- Facilitating international transfers and league establishments
- Navigating unique legal challenges faced by female athletes
- Crafting bespoke sponsorship deals for athletes and the women's sports industry
- Developing strategies to amplify media presence and fan engagement
Our lawyers help clients in the US college sports arena to negotiate the legal and regulatory terrain of NIL initiatives, conference realignment, athlete compensation, media evolution, Title IX, Gen AI integration, and shifting revenue streams.
- NIL and influencer contracts
- Student athlete employment and dispute resolution
- Title IX, including affirmative action in scholarships
- Business and entity structuring for conferences, athletes, and other constituents
- Student-athlete NIL and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and unionization
Our team provides strategic legal counsel to professional leagues, teams, and players across the global sports industry. We help clients through complex legal challenges ranging from private equity investments to media rights with a focus on ensuring success.
- Ownership structuring, facilities financing, and private investment strategies
- Intellectual property protection, licensing, and marketing solutions
- Regulatory compliance and advocacy across gaming, cybersecurity, and privacy domains
- High-stakes dispute resolution and litigation support
- Workplace culture initiatives and crisis management
- NIL and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Ownership and usage of private aircraft
We help mitigate “ambush” marketing and illegal broadcasting, advising on athlete safety, NIL rights, league realignments, and patent and other dispute resolution. Our services help empower clients to leverage major sporting events while managing potential scrutiny from related governing bodies.
- M&A, joint ventures, venue naming rights, real estate, sponsorships, and vendor relations
- Stadium and team financing, including venue development, public/private financing, restructurings, and cross-border investments
- Media and streaming rights such as broadcasting deals, data protection, licensing, and cybersecurity
- Labor relations, compensation plans, inclusion programs, workplace solutions, crisis management, and dispute resolution
- IP counsel, including trademark protection and patent and other commercial litigation
By advising on the delicate balance between blending performance with inclusiveness, Morgan Lewis supports client success beyond the scoreboard. We help sports organizations around the world thrive across the changing landscape of new and evolving employment-related cultural norms and best practices.
- Holistic cultural transformation strategies tailored for sports organizations
- Proactive risk management to safeguard reputation and foster positivity
- Customized training programs designed to enhance inclusion
- Crisis management and sensitive investigative guidance
- Designing performance-driven cultural initiatives with measurable benchmarks
