Sports

Paul, Weiss is one of the nation’s leading firms for the sports industry’s highest-stakes legal matters, from multibillion-dollar acquisitions of professional franchises, to landmark disputes involving player health and safety issues, and reputation-threatening investigations.

We advise key stakeholders across the sports industry, serving as a link between U.S. and international sports leagues, governing bodies, teams and their owners; private equity investors; broadcasters; marketing agencies; and gaming entities in their most significant transactions and most threatening legal matters. The firm’s deep relationships across the sports landscape, combined with our lawyers’ comprehensive understanding of the industry’s unique dynamics, enable us to bring the right parties together to execute transformational deals, and resolve investigations and high-stakes disputes effectively. We are the NFL’s go-to counsel in its most important matters, further underscoring our trusted status within the industry. Our solutions-oriented, multidisciplinary approach and track record on behalf of our sports clients in landmark matters have earned our Sports Group recognition year after year as an industry leader in Law360, The American Lawyer and other publications.

We have worked on matters involving major U.S. and international sports organizations, leagues and governing bodies including FIFA, MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL, Premier League, UFC, USSF and WWE, among others. Within these leagues, we have worked on behalf of or across from some of the most recognizable teams in sports, including Angel City FC, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Bruins, Brooklyn Nets, Buffalo Bills, Chelsea FC, Chicago Cubs, Denver Broncos, Florida Panthers, LA Clippers, LA Dodgers, Manchester United, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Vikings, New York Yankees, Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Football Team. We have also advised the NCAA and a number of universities in sports-related investigations and litigation.

Acquisitions and Transactions: Our transaction-focused lawyers are among the most experienced in the world in sports deals, including team acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, ownership transfers, complex sports-related financings and securitizations of sports media receivables; major real estate transactions involving stadium rights; digital and other media opportunities; and major restructurings. We also handle purely intellectual property-related issues and disputes, including the acquisition, protection and monetization of sports-related IP and content; naming rights; and endorsement, sponsorship and licensing deals.

Litigation and Regulatory Defense: Our litigators are among the industry’s go-to counsel for critical, complex litigations, including matters related to antitrust; player health and safety; fan and player conduct; employment; contract and licensing disputes; intellectual property; securities; and white collar and regulatory challenges. We assist clients in safely navigating government probes, compliance and risk management concerns, and handle their most complex and demanding lawsuits, class actions and investigations. Our team is well-positioned to litigate these matters through to the highest courts in the country, ensuring comprehensive and effective legal representation.