With gambling always a major issue in the sports industry and the Raiders contemplating a move to sin city, Las Vegas would seem to be the perfect destination for the annual Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Industries.
And then there’s some stellar panels, which are detailed below.
If interested in attending the conference, which is being held October 5 — 7 and is being lovingly called “Hitting the Jackpot,” follow the following link: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/entertainment_sports.htm
Here are some of the more interesting panels:
On October 5:
Public and Private Partnerships in the Entertainment and Sports Industries
Co-Sponsored by the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
All too often partnerships between teams, businesses, and public entities result in blurred lines of liability. Our roster of experts will examine the pitfalls and challenges of these relationships, including public versus private financing of sports stadiums, assembling and hosting music festivals, and providing sponsors with the best possible exposure for brands. Join us for a discussion of best practices and other hot topics in public and private partnerships.
Speakers: Timothy Epstein, Partner, Duggan Bertsch, LLP Richard Brand, Managing Partner, Arent Fox, LLP Maacah Scott, Arizona Diamondbacks
On October 6:
Buying and Selling Sports Teams and Entertainment Businesses
Co-Sponsored by the ABA Young Lawyers Division Entertainment and Sports Industry Committee and the ABA Section of Antitrust Law
Record-setting prices continue to make headlines as the value of sports franchises and entertainment businesses dramatically increase. But what makes them attractive investments? How can common pitfalls and roadblocks be avoided? Industry experts and insiders will discuss best practices to implement when buying and selling as well as recent noteworthy acquisitions.
Speakers: Andrew Brandt, Sports Analyst and Director of Moorad Center for Sports Law, Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law (moderator) Ahron Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, Arizona Coyotes Jared Bartie, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers, LLP Joel Karansky, Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, WME-IMG
Upping Your Mindfulness Game: Taking Competent Lawyering to the Next Level
ADR in Sports: It Fits Like a [Baseball] Glove Co-Sponsored by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution and ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Arbitration and mediation, unlike litigation, are built upon compromise and collaboration. Put another way: Teamwork. The application of ADR mechanisms is thus a natural fit for an industry which depends on teamwork. Our group of esteemed ADR experts will discuss challenges and pitfalls in their experiences in the field, including salary and disciplinary arbitrations, complex mediations between global sports properties, and more!
Speakers: Lance Tanaka, Vice President, American Arbitration Association Jeffrey Benz, JAMS, Versus Advocates PC, 4 New Square Barristers Barbara Reeves, Mediator & Arbitrator, JAMS John Sands, Mediator & Arbitrator, Sands ADR Cameron Myler, Court of Arbitration for Sport and Clinical Assistant Professor, New York University
On October 7:
Sports and Entertainment General Counsels
What are the key legal issues facing in-house legal departments in the sports and entertainment industries? How are those issues similar and different to each other and to other industries? Join our expert panel of General Counsels for an insider’s look at the current legal landscape of the sports and entertainment industries.
Speakers: Lucinda McRoberts, General Counsel, USA Swimming Hunter Campbell, General Counsel, UFC Heather Liberman, General Counsel, SXSW
Hot Trademark and Advertising Issues in the Entertainment and Sports Industries
Co-Sponsored by the ABA Intellectual Property Law Section Leaders of the Intellectual Property and Advertising
Lawyers will examine and discuss the latest cases and hottest issues in the entertainment and sports industries including the Slants case, the Redskins case and all of the latest developments in social media advertising including the FTC’s regulation of brands, agencies and influencers.
Speakers: Staci Riordan, Partner, Nixon Peabody (moderator) Robert Newman, Partner, Winston & Strawn, LLP Steven J. Wadyka Jr., Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig Joel G. MacMull, Associate, Archer Law Firm John Connell, Partner, Archer Law Firm
Disrupting the Sports Industry: A Conversation with Jeffrey Kessler
Co-Sponsored by the ABA Section of Antitrust Law
Join us for an intimate discussion of current legal issues in sports with one of the most high-profile attorneys in sports law, Jeffrey Kessler. From NFL free agency, player discipline, and Deflategate to challenging the amateur model of college sports, Kessler will offer his insider’s view of some of the biggest legal challenges facing today’s sports industry and his forecast for future development.
Speakers: Eboni Williams, Co-Host of The FOX News Specialists, Fox News Channel (moderator) Jeffrey Kessler, Co-Executive Chairman, Chair of the Antitrust/Competition Practice, and Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP
