Sports and Entertainment

The attorneys in Ogletree Deakins’ Sports and Entertainment Industry Group have a deep understanding of the unique and dynamic nature of the sports and entertainment sectors. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing practical, timely advice on a wide range of legal issues specific to these industries. By partnering closely with our clients, we ensure that our support is tailored to meet the unique demands of each situation, keeping clients in the game and on the stage.

Sports

In the sports arena, our attorneys have experience with teams in professional sports leagues and their minor league affiliates, including Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League. Our attorneys also have experience representing employers in track and field, Formula 1 racing, professional soccer, mixed martial arts, and university and college sports teams and athletic departments. They have applied their experience across employment law, labor matters, immigration, employee benefits, and executive compensation. Our attorneys’ work has included assisting clients in the following areas, among others:

Post-acquisition work on benefit plans and executive compensation
Collegiate compliance
High-profile tort claims, including claims based on athletic conduct and claims by patrons
Advice and counsel on ADA issues arising from stadium access, as well as other ADA Title III compliance issues relating to employees and venues
Crisis management advice and counsel on misconduct and termination of players, coaches, and staff
Diversity, workplace violence, sexual harassment, and civility training
Litigation defense
Visas for athletes to participate in sporting events both domestically and internationally, as well as green cards and family filings for athletes
Resolution of employment and termination issues for athletes and staff in foreign jurisdictions
Professional sports leagues annual workplace training requirements
Coaching contract advice and counsel
Wage and hour matters, including FLSA exempt status determinations and strategic modifications of compensation for key employee subgroups (e.g., season ticket and sales personnel)
Separation of sports industry executives
Drug testing policy review
Signage and sponsorship contracts
ERISA compliance
NCAA investigation defense
Training and education on NCAA and NAIA regulation compliance
Title IX training to colleges and universities

Entertainment

In the entertainment industry, our attorneys have worked with major media conglomerates, production companies, international movie theater chains, radio stations, theme parks, theater groups, the cast and crew of television shows, casinos, high-profile celebrities and comedians, and other media entities. Issues our attorneys have handled include, but are not limited to:

Litigation defense, including class actions
General advice and counsel
ADA advice and counsel on issues relating to park and ride access, as well as other ADA Title III compliance issues relating to employees and park venues
Investigations
Contract negotiation
Visas for performers and actors to attend events domestically and internationally
Green cards and family filings for entertainers
Employment and separation agreements in entertainment ventures
Employee training for ambassadors, supervisors, employees, cast and crews
Injury waivers
Traditional labor issues, including collective bargaining and union avoidance training