Our Practice

As trusted advisors to key stakeholders across the sports industry, Paul, Weiss serves as an essential 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 successfully resolve investigations and high-stakes disputes with unmatched effectiveness. We are the NFL’s go-to counsel in its most important matters, further underscoring our trusted status within the industry. This solutions-oriented, multidisciplinary approach, and our track record of successful outcomes for 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 the sports industry’s go-to counsel for its most critical litigations, whatever the subject area, 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 uniquely well-positioned to litigate these matters through to the highest courts in the country, ensuring comprehensive and effective legal representation.