The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Council of Presidents has hired Gregg E. Clifton to represent the MAAC as its legal counsel. In his new position, Clifton will be responsible for handling all MAAC legal matters, advising the Council on governance and NCAA issues, and providing the league with guidance on contractual and related business law matters.
“Gregg Clifton is an accomplished attorney, well recognized in sports law for his experience in a wide range of important topics including broadcasting, venue contracts, and personnel matters,” notes MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor. “The MAAC is fortunate to have him join us as legal counsel.”
Clifton is a Principal in the Phoenix, Arizona, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He is co-leader of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Practice Group and serves as one of the editors of the firm’s sports law blog. Clifton has extensive experience in the collegiate and professional sports world. He has advised numerous professional franchises on general labor and employment issues, including Title III ADA regulatory compliance and wage and hour issues. He serves as lead counsel for several Major League Baseball teams in their salary arbitration matters and has represented NCAA and NAIA collegiate clients regarding rules compliance, investigatory matters and in disciplinary hearings. In addition, he has handled Title IX investigations and compliance issues for NCAA and NAIA member institutions.
Clifton has also worked extensively in the area of agent regulation and enforcement in professional and college sports and regularly provides counsel on issues relating to NCAA and NAIA amateurism issues and athlete eligibility questions. He has also served as an expert witness in matters involving sports agents work and responsibilities, as well as athlete compensation issues.
Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, he spent six years as Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Team Sports for Gaylord Sports Management. He also served as President of the Athlete and Entertainment Division for famed sports attorney Bob Woolf’s firm, Woolf Associates, in Boston. Clifton began his career as an Associate at Jackson Lewis where he focused his practice on traditional labor law. He continues to counsel clients in the areas of collective bargaining negotiations, representation cases, arbitrations and National Labor Relations Board matters.
Clifton frequently serves as an expert speaker to law schools, including Harvard University, Boston College, Hofstra University and Arizona State University, and bar associations regarding sports law issues, including agent regulation and salary arbitration. He is also often cited as an expert source in national news media, such as Legal Issues in Collegiate Athletics and the Journal of NCAA Compliance, for his commentary and opinion on legal issues in sports.
