Entertainment, Sports & Media

Strategic counsel at the intersection of law, business, and culture

The worlds of entertainment, sports, and media operate in a dynamic and constantly evolving landscape. Legal challenges in these interconnected sectors often require innovative, cross-functional solutions. Our Entertainment, Sports, and Media Service Group is uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive, forward-thinking legal counsel that safeguards our clients’ interests while capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Entertainment and Media

The entertainment and media industries are rife with legal complexities, including intellectual property, privacy/publicity rights, contracts, labor and employment negotiations, and crisis/reputation management needs. Our attorneys represent a diverse range of high-profile clientele, including artists, actors, musicians, comedians/improvisers, athletes, authors, influencers, content creators, gamers, models, producers, directors, writers, photographers, broadcasters/publishers, event venues, publicity firms, and more.

We offer extensive legal services, including:

• Contracts and Agreements: Drafting and negotiating agreements including the licensing of original works, sponsorships, and celebrity product and service endorsements.
• Complex Corporate Transactions: Including mergers and acquisitions, formations, and joint ventures involving talent and media entities.
• Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguarding copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and related licensing.
• Crisis and Reputation Management: Protecting our clients’ privacy and publicity rights and addressing claims of defamation, tortious interference, intrusion, and the improper disclosure of private facts.
• Media and Advertising Counsel: Providing business counsel and mitigating defamation and commercial disparagement liability, as well as free speech implications.
• Pre-Broadcast/Publication Counsel: Ensuring legal compliance for newsgathering, publications, and on-air broadcasts.

We also assist with legal challenges related to censorship, political speech liability, and the evolving landscape of online content and e-commerce. Our goal is to minimize litigation risks while protecting our clients' creative and commercial interests.

Sports

The sports industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation, from the rapid expansion of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights to groundbreaking developments in professional and collegiate athletics. Our attorneys provide sophisticated legal counsel to athletes, teams, governing bodies, and other sports organizations at all levels, ensuring compliance, protection, and strategic growth in a highly competitive environment.

Our sports-related services include:

• NIL Strategy: Advising collegiate and professional athletes and organizations entering the sports landscape on NIL opportunities, endorsement deals, branding, and compliance with NCAA and state regulations.
• Professional Athlete Representation and Career Management: Structuring and analyzing agent agreements, endorsement contracts, licensing deals, and career transition strategies tailored for longevity and success.
• Intellectual Property and Personal Brand Protection: Assisting athletes and sports-related businesses in creating and safeguarding their personal brand through trademarks, copyrights, and licensing.
• Contract Negotiation and Dispute Resolution: Advocating for athletes and organizations in contract negotiations, sponsorship disputes, and employment matters with a focus on protecting short- and long-term interests.
• Risk Management and Governance: Advising companies to ensure compliance with rules, industry regulations, and state and federal laws.
• Future Planning: Providing estate planning, wealth management, and asset protection strategies to help athletes safeguard their legacy beyond sports.

Comprehensive Legal Support for a Changing Landscape

The lines between entertainment, sports, and media continue to blur, creating new opportunities and legal challenges that require an integrated approach.  Our team’s multidisciplinary practice ensures that our clients are equipped to navigate the complexities of these industries with confidence. From A-list entertainers and elite athletes to emerging creators and global brands, we leverage our deep industry knowledge and legal acumen to anticipate challenges, minimize risks, and drive strategic success. By blending legal proficiency with a keen understanding of market trends, we empower our clients to seize opportunities, innovate with confidence, and achieve lasting impact in their respective fields.