Our Practice
Our Sports and Entertainment practice is dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of our clients in the sports and entertainment industries.
We represent our sports clients in contract negotiation and drafting, tax consultation and estate planning, litigation and dispute resolution, intellectual property protection and assistance with business and finance transactions.
We also provide representation to public and private colleges and universities on amateur athletic issues. Our skilled attorneys understand the issues colleges and universities face and have the resources, skills and experience to assist them in a broad range of services in the collegiate sports arena such as NCAA rules compliance and infractions, NCAA governance issues, conference rules compliance, Title IX and gender equity issues, Title VII and coaches compensation issues, procedural due process issues, drug testing programs, athlete eligibility requirements, collegiate licensing and intellectual property protection and exploitation and employee benefits and tax issues.
In the entertainment arena, we provide legal and business services to clients involved in all aspects of the entertainment industry, including negotiating and drafting contracts, structuring and forming business entities, devising business solutions, obtaining motion picture financing, drafting distribution agreements, and counseling clients regarding copyright and trademark protection and exploitation, merchandising, publishing, movie production and internet and new media ventures. We represent entertainers in various areas of the entertainment industry such as music, film and television production, literary publishing, dance and theater.
Our Attorneys
The Sports and Entertainment practice utilizes the multidisciplinary capabilities and in-depth working knowledge of Snell & Wilmer attorneys to assist our clients, which includes attorneys experienced in corporate and transactional, estate planning, licensing, labor, litigation, antitrust, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property and tax and estate planning matters. By being able to readily draw upon the resources of the entire firm, we are able to provide clients with a comprehensive understanding of solutions and opportunities that exist in all aspects of this industry.
Our Clients
Our clients include athletes and entertainers, media personalities, writers, studios, public and private colleges and universities and sports-related ownership groups and businesses.
Our Experience
Our representation has included:
- Representation of professional football players, professional baseball players and other athletes in contract negotiations, endorsements and estate planning
- Representation of NCAA member institutions in infraction and compliance matters
- Representation of college coaches in contract and NCAA matters
- Sponsorship, marketing and licensing arrangements
- Television, radio, internet and other media agreements and relationships
- Interpretation of governing documents such as association, conference, league and sanctioning body legislation by-laws and rules
- Litigation and dispute resolution, including antitrust issues
- General contract and business affairs of teams, leagues, professional athletes, entertainers, conferences and other sports and entertainment industry participants
