Sports Law

Stakeholders in the sports industry rely on Greenberg Traurig’s Sports Law Practice for pragmatic, creative, and integrated legal advice to help navigate the complex landscape of international sports. Our diverse clientele includes teams, professional sports leagues, colleges and universities, media giants, stadium developers, government agencies, financial institutions, corporate investors, athletes, and private equity funds. Working with a wide array of industry players, we have a deep understanding of the goals and objectives of participants in the sports sector, allowing us to counsel clients on their investments and projects in this highly competitive marketplace.

Our Sports Law Practice is a powerhouse on the world stage, representing clients in virtually every corner of the industry. We tackle tough business challenges and disputes with a dynamic, interdisciplinary approach. With our wealth of experience and global platform – from Europe and the Middle East to the Americas and Asia Pacific – we offer local, national, and international reach and insight.

Our Multidisciplinary Practice

Our Sports Law team draws on myriad areas of experience to support clients and provide industry-focused advice, while also offering global reach and relationships with key in the sports sector.

Construction

We represent sports clients in virtually all aspects of venue development and Construction, from initial conception and project delivery planning to design development and construction documentation. Our group possesses robust experience with contract negotiation, bid preparation, project management, project close-out, and resolution of construction disputes in various legal forums.

Entertainment & Media

Our award-winning, international Entertainment & Media Practice features lawyers who focus on representing sports teams, leagues, and athletes, as well as sports broadcasting and content. After decades of working in this field, we have established credibility while enhancing critical access to key players in the entertainment and sports industries. Our team provides clients with the business-oriented and dedicated counsel needed to thrive in today’s global multimedia entertainment marketplace.

Intellectual Property & Technology

Our sophisticated Intellectual Property & Technology team has significant experience representing both sports teams and sponsors in high-profile sponsorship and naming rights deals. We provide strategic counsel on specialized technologies and the complex dynamics of worldwide distribution. We work closely with rights holders on licensing their IP for use in sporting events such as motorsports, cricket, football, soccer, basketball, athletics, and cycling.

Dispute Resolution

We have robust Litigation experience related to the construction and maintenance of sports facilities, on behalf of and against product vendors, on issues concerning concessions and parking, as well as in disputes between facility owners and individual sports franchises and entertainment groups. Additionally, we have represented individual athletes in high-profile litigation and are trusted advisors to professional and amateur leagues as well as franchises in big-ticket disputes.

Labor & Employment

Our Labor & Employment and Immigration & Compliance practices collaborate closely on matters related to the global transfer of employees, staff, coaches, athletes, and other sports professionals. Additionally, our team is experienced in critical labor issues within the sports sector, such as collective bargaining agreements.

Mergers & Acquisitions

We guide clients through every stage of complex domestic and cross‑border transactions—including Mergers & Acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and control‑shifting deals. Our team handles everything from strategic combinations and takeover defense to recapitalizations. We also advise on the purchase and sale of sports teams, franchises, and related assets, as well as collaborations, privatizations, and a wide range of commercial arrangements across the sports industry.

Finance

From sports facilities and entertainment venues to the transportation projects that serve them, our lawyers advise on an array of financings associated with sports projects and programs. These matters typically require financing flexibility and maximum debt capacity. Our Public Finance & Infrastructure and Project & Infrastructure Finance teams apply innovative approaches to the public and private financing of sports facilities, as well as league-wide and sports team financings.

Private Equity

We support sports‑sector clients across the full lifecycle of Private Equity transactions. Our work includes forming and structuring investment funds, assessing and negotiating acquisitions, securing financing, and navigating exit strategies. We also provide ongoing transactional guidance and general corporate support tailored to the unique needs of investors and strategic partners in the sports market.

Real Estate

We represent sports clients in major Real Estate matters including stadium development and construction. We also have deep experience handling real estate transactions in the sports sector, including projects and developments involving relevant government agencies, public authorities, and public utilities. Our team advises on mixed-use developments adjacent to sports stadiums and arenas and provides related strategic legal guidance on real estate, zoning, financing, and public-private partnerships. We help clients navigate complex regulatory and commercial challenges to create vibrant, multifunctional spaces that complement sports and entertainment venues.

Venue Management

We advise clients involved in the management and operation of sports venues and offer experience in areas such as real estate, finance, construction, and regulatory compliance. Our lawyers are well-versed in negotiating and drafting agreements related to sponsorships, concessions, leasing, and event hosting, and provide guidance on intellectual property rights, labor and employment issues, and dispute resolution. We equip venue managers with the tools to operate efficiently in a competitive market while maximizing their venue’s value and reputation.

Major & Minor Leagues

We have broad experience advising clients involved in both minor and major league sports, providing strategic counsel on team acquisitions and sales, league governance, and compliance with league regulations, helping to ensure clients can navigate the complexities of sports law with confidence. We negotiate and draft player contracts, sponsorship agreements, and media rights deals, helping clients maximize their commercial potential and foster strong relationships with key industry stakeholders Whether they are aiming to enhance their competitive edge in major leagues or drive growth and community engagement in minor leagues, we assist clients every step of the way.

College Athletics & Venues

We advise colleges and universities across the United States and internationally on the distinctive regulatory and operational challenges of collegiate sports. Our team possesses a deep understanding of NCAA regulations and compliance issues, providing clients with strategic counsel on matters ranging from athlete eligibility and scholarship agreements to Title IX compliance and governance.

With the rapidly evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, we are at the forefront of advising institutions on NIL-related policies, helping colleges and universities develop and implement compliant frameworks that support student-athletes in maximizing their opportunities while safeguarding institutional integrity. We guide clients through complex NIL regulations, contract negotiations, and risk management considerations, helping to ensure a practical and proactive approach to NIL issues. We also assist with the development and management of athletic facilities, providing experience in real estate transactions, construction contracts, and financing arrangements. Our Entertainment & Media team further advises on sponsorship and broadcasting agreements, helping educational institutions optimize revenue streams while maintaining the integrity and reputation of their athletic programs.

Sports Governance

Greenberg Traurig has substantial experience advising governmental entities and Sports Governing Bodies (SGBs) on the complex regulatory aspects of sports governance. We know how to navigate the unique challenges faced by SGBs, offering strategic counsel on the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks that help ensure compliance, integrity, and effective governance within the sports industry. From drafting robust regulatory requirements to providing guidance on governance structures and policies, we help clients address the evolving legal and organizational needs of the global sports landscape and bring a deep understanding of the intersection between law, policy, and sports administration.

Sports Facilities & Entertainment Venues

Our Sports Facilities and Entertainment Venues Practice features a global team of lawyers experienced in the development, construction, financing, leasing, and operation of sports facilities, entertainment venues, and related districts, including advising on some of the largest stadium projects in the world. Our multidisciplinary team includes lawyers from our Real Estate, Finance, Tax, Construction, Entertainment & Media, Environmental, Litigation, and Government Contracts Practices. Collectively, the team provides holistic, business-focused counsel on these complex, high-profile projects.