Our clients include professional and amateur teams and athletes, municipalities and governmental entities, university athletic departments, owners, investors, coaches, equipment and apparel manufacturers, and other businesses and associations where sports play an integral role. These clients include pro teams—from MLB and MLS to the NFL, NHL, and NBA—as well as businesses and organizations across the spectrum of size, mission, location, and sport, both individual and team.
Exceptional Range
Our experience from practically every angle of sports-related business gives us the 360-degree perspective needed to deliver forward-thinking legal and business counsel that drives winning performance, including in the practice areas below.
STADIUM AND VENUE FINANCING AND DEVELOPMENT
Ballard Spahr has vast experience in sports and event facility financing and how legal, business, regulatory, and development considerations play into forming the capital stack. We navigate the complex regulations that govern taxable financings and tax-exempt governmental bond transactions, including through the use of special districts.
Our attorneys work with team and stadium owners on site selection and acquisition, land use entitlements, and contracting involved in the financing, development, and construction of sports and entertainment facilities, including mixed-use complexes and major university sports complexes as part of campuses.
TRADEMARKS AND OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Team and league logos are among the most valuable intellectual property in markets worldwide in today’s sports-loving society. Ballard Spahr IP attorneys advise on protecting lucrative team and individual intellectual property. They use their deep knowledge to provide forward-looking guidance on licensing and merchandising, naming rights, special promotions, copyright, and right-of-publicity issues, including for broadcast. When our clients’ IP rights are infringed upon or challenged, we bring our considerable litigation and negotiation skills to bear to achieve the best result.
SPORTS TRANSACTIONS
We handle a wide array of team and individual sports transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions of sports teams, franchises, ownership interests, and properties. We have negotiated and closed agreements on joint ventures, establishment of new sports entities, and development and distribution of sports-related products. Our clients range from major and minor league teams to individual and group owners of professional sports teams and facilities.
ATHLETE ISSUES AND REPRESENTATION
We represent professional athletes and coaches on issues involving contract negotiations, team and individual endorsements and sponsorships, tax and estate planning, public appearances, the establishment of nonprofit foundations, and the ownership and management of business ventures. We advise amateur athletes and university athletic departments on issues of eligibility and compliance with the NCAA and other governing bodies, including the ever-changing name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape. We monitor developments and recognize trends in order to provide the most up-to-date, strategically informed counsel available.
WORKFORCE, COMPENSATION, AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Labor and Employment
We help sports team employers successfully manage their workforces to optimize productivity and employee loyalty in today’s challenging employment environment. We advise on policies and regulatory compliance, provide training that helps avoid issues, and defend against claims should they arise. Our labor attorneys guide teams and organizations on salary caps, collective bargaining agreements, and other labor issues, including negotiations and disputes.
Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
We represent teams in designing and negotiating employee benefits and executive employment agreements, including tax issues and retirement plans. We also represent clients on the benefits aspects of sports-related M&A transactions.
NONPROFIT SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS
Ballard Spahr’s Exempt Organizations Group advises sports-related nonprofit organizations and associations on formation, governance, and operations. We have deep experience providing tailored legal and business counsel to organizations on attaining and preserving tax-exempt status, as well as advising nonprofits on transactions such as mergers, partnerships, and joint ventures. We assist with planned charitable giving, including the formation and oversight of private foundations and donor-advised funds.
LITIGATION, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND PREVENTATIVE COUNSELING
Ballard Spahr ranks among the nation’s “most feared” and “intimidating” firms for litigation, according to leading legal industry research reports. Our litigators are powerful trial advocates. Just as importantly, they are skilled negotiators who excel at preventive counseling and fully recognize the value of achieving a win for the client outside the courtroom. Our experience covers an expansive range: from season ticketholder class actions and defamation to contract disputes and investment and ownership claims. We advise on risk management and other policies that help reduce the likelihood of disagreements and liability.
