The Duane Morris Sports Law Group is a dynamic and experienced team dedicated to providing comprehensive legal services across all levels of the sports industry, from professional leagues, teams and athletes to early- and growth-stage companies, sports-focused venture capital and private equity firms. As one of the top law firms in this industry, we understand the unique challenges and complexities facing athletes, teams, coaches, leagues, companies and private capital in this fast-paced and highly regulated sector.
Our attorneys bring clients deep knowledge and broad experience in all aspects of sports law, including entity structuring, stadium financing, litigation, contract negotiations, intellectual property, labor and employment issues, sponsorship agreements, broadcasting and media rights, and compliance issues. Our team is distinct in that it includes a number of former professional and collegiate athletes, with decades of hands-on experience in the industry. Additionally, our attorneys boast a wide range of experience in representing founders and early- and growth-stage sports companies as well as private capital firms in matters including in entity formation, forming Special Purpose Vehicles, advising on structure and exit strategy, and equity agreements. We are proud to offer top-tier representation for clients at every stage of their careers and businesses, from grassroots youth leagues, portfolio companies and early-growth startups to the most prestigious professional teams and leagues.
Duane Morris represents clients that are engaged in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, golf, auto racing, baseball, boxing, esports, hockey, soccer, tennis, racket sports, skiing and skating, among others.
Our Sports Law Group has represented a range of clients including, but not limited to:
- Professional sports leagues, executives and officials
- Professional sports teams, owners and coaches
- Athletes, including Olympic gold medalists, at both collegiate and professional levels with respect to their athletic endeavors, as well as their off-the-field/court business ventures
- Early- and growth-stage companies providing products and/or services to the sports industry
- Venture capital, private equity and portfolio companies
- Sports agencies
- University athletic departments
- Sports equipment manufacturers
- Sports venues, clubs and resorts
- Sports and recreation associations
- Merchandisers
- Health and wellness brands
Key Areas of Experience
Labor and Employment: We represent clients in labor and employment matters, including collective bargaining and executive agreements as well as in investment and fund formation for minority and majority stakes in professional leagues and teams.
Stadium Financing and Construction: We advise clients on complex stadium and arena financings, including multisource bond and credit structures for major professional sports teams. Our experience includes structuring, league approvals, construction, refinancing, and related ownership and leasing arrangements.
Contract Negotiation and Drafting: Our attorneys represent athletes, teams and other industry stakeholders in high-stakes contract negotiations, including player contracts, sponsorship agreements, endorsement deals and media rights.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation: Our attorneys bring aggressive but practical litigation and arbitration services, including on antitrust matters, international arbitration, commercial and contract disputes, intellectual property issues, employment matters, and injury claims.
Intellectual Property: We protect the rights of organizations and athletes in their licensing arrangements regarding trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property, including merchandise, broadcasting rights and digital content.
Compliance and Governance: Duane Morris sports attorneys counsel on compliance with the NCAA, professional league regulations, Olympic governing bodies, doping controls and other sports governing bodies, as well as advising on emerging issues such as name, image and likeness (NIL) regulations and athlete eligibility.
Risk Management and Safety: We assist our clients in implementing best practices in risk management, including safety protocols, insurance and dispute prevention strategies in both professional and youth sports settings.
Endorsements and Sponsorships: Guiding athletes, coaches and organizations in structuring lucrative sponsorships and endorsement deals while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Early- and Growth-Stage Companies: Representing early- and growth-stage companies in structuring their entities in tax-efficient and -friendly manners, and advising on all aspects of a company's life cycle, including for companies within a private equity or venture capital firm's portfolio.
Areas of Service
Professional Sports
In the world of professional sports, we work with athletes, teams, agents and sponsors to address a broad range of issues. Our firm has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting stadium financing deals, player contracts, team ownership deals, collective bargaining agreements, sponsorship deals, endorsement contracts, and executive compensation and employment contracts. We similarly are well-versed in representing clients through complex litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution processes, handling everything including bet-the-company antitrust lawsuits, vendor-contract disputes, ownership disputes, salary disputes, image rights protection, trademark and copyright protection, and player safety concerns. Our attorneys also serve as trusted advisors for team owners and league officials on governance and regulatory issues. We have also conducted high-profile independent internal investigations in the sports industry.
Collegiate Sports
Our Sports Law Group provides cutting-edge legal counsel to collegiate athletic departments, universities, coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders. With the evolving landscape of NCAA rules, NIL regulations and evolving conference realignments, our team of experienced attorneys help our clients navigate these shifting dynamics. The Duane Morris Sports Law Group stays up to date on this evolving space that changes on a near-daily basis. Our team is equipped with the industry knowledge to handle issues related to eligibility, academic performance, recruitment, compliance with Title IX, student-athlete contracts and regulatory matters. We also issue alerts on the rapid changes to the collegiate sport landscape in our Duane Morris Sports Law Blog.
Emerging Leagues and Sports
Duane Morris LLP is at the forefront of advising clients involved in emerging sports and new sports leagues. As the landscape of professional sports continues to evolve, we assist entrepreneurs, investors and organizations in navigating the legal complexities of launching and growing new leagues and sports entities. Whether it's a niche sport gaining traction or a completely new competition model, our team provides strategic counsel on league formation, governance, intellectual property protection, media rights, sponsorship deals and player agreements. We work closely with clients to comply with relevant regulations and to create a solid foundation for long-term success, all while addressing the unique challenges of establishing and promoting emerging sports. With a keen understanding of market dynamics and a track record of handling innovative legal issues, our Sports Law Group is well-positioned to help clients capitalize on opportunities in new and developing sports markets.
Private Equity and Venture Capital in the Sports Industry
Our sports attorneys have significant experience advising private equity and venture capital firms in structuring investments and deploying capital within the sports industry. We assist investors in navigating the complex regulatory, financial and operational landscapes of the sports sector so that that their investments are well-structured and aligned with their strategic goals. Whether focusing on acquiring professional teams, investing in sports technology startups, or funding media and sponsorship ventures, our team provides comprehensive counsel to maximize value and minimize risk. From due diligence and transaction structuring to negotiation and regulatory compliance, we help our clients identify and capitalize on lucrative opportunities while protecting their investments. Our attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of sports financing, including sports media rights, sponsorship agreements and the evolving role of digital platforms in the industry.
Early- and Growth-Stage Companies
At Duane Morris we understand the rapid pace of innovation in early-stage sports technology companies from wearables and performance analytics to fan engagement platforms and digital content solutions. Our team works closely with entrepreneurs, investors and emerging companies to navigate the unique legal challenges associated with the commercialization of sports technology and manufacturers. We provide counsel on entity formation and structuring, equity agreements, intellectual property protection, data privacy and security, licensing agreements, venture funding and regulatory compliance. Additionally, we advise on strategic partnerships—including collaborations with professional teams, leagues and sponsors—to help accelerate growth and expand market reach. Our team of industry professionals have handled every type of deal that emerging and maturing companies undertake as they create new business models and technologies, and we provide strategic counsel on exit strategy.
Sports and Recreation Litigation
For decades, our attorneys have been at the forefront of work for the sports and recreation sector, including skiing and snow sports, golf, bicycling and other outdoor industries. During this time, we have helped revitalize and define one of the most pressing issues to the sports industry: the doctrine of primary assumption of risk. Our attorneys helped establish the doctrine of primary assumption of risk defense on a case-by-case basis through the trial courts and appellate courts. We have represented resort and course owners and operators, ski resort and golf course owners, and sports equipment manufacturers in connection with products liability defense, breach of contract actions, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases, employment and wrongful termination actions, the Americans with Disabilities Act and environmental litigation. We also represent clients before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. Our attorneys help clients by weighing the risks of litigation against the importance of maintaining a reputation for not settling when there is little or no liability exposure.
Youth Sports
We understand the importance of fostering a positive environment for young athletes by protecting their rights, protecting fair play and navigating the often complex landscape of youth sports governance. In this highly segmented growth market, the Duane Morris Sports Law Group also advises private equity and venture capital firms focused on investments in the youth sports sector. We understand the growing opportunities and challenges in this space, ranging from sports academies and leagues to sports technology companies and youth-focused media platforms. Our team works closely with investors to structure deals that enhance the growth and sustainability of youth sports organizations while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders.
Whether structuring investments in sports facilities, player development programs or digital platforms aimed at increasing youth participation and assisting families in the hectic world of youth sports, we provide strategic counsel throughout the life cycle of the investment. Our lawyers are adept at navigating the complexities of sponsorship arrangements, partnership structures and community engagement, aligning investments with clients’ financial goals and social responsibilities. Through our experience, we help investors unlock the potential of the youth sports market while protecting the young athletes and organizations involved.
Sports Focus
At Duane Morris LLP, our Sports Law Group stands ready to guide our clients through the evolving landscape of sports law. Whether representing maturing companies in the sports technology space or top professional athletes, our lawyers bring an unparalleled level of dedication, experience, and strategic insight to every matter.
For More Information
For more information, please contact AJ Rudowitz, Bryan Shapiro or any of the group members referenced in the Attorney Listing.