The latest Chambers & Partners rankings are out, and not surprisingly there are a lot of familiar names among the law firms and practitioners at the top of the sports law category.
Foley & Lardner LLP was asked to write the introduction, and promptly hit upon the theme for the practice area — growth
“It is hard to deny that there is a vast amount of growth taking place in the sports industry,” the firm wrote in its opening volley. “As the economy has improved, so have revenue opportunities. With an estimated value of more than $600 billion, it is clear that big money is calling the shots. The rapid growth is affecting all aspects of the industry, including franchise acquisitions and sales, stadium and arena development, media deals and related technology, compliance, labor and employment, and collegiate sports issues.”
Among those firms securing the highest recognition with Chambers was Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates. That firm has represented many high-profile clients, such as the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, NCAA, and PGA Tour as well as professional golfer Rory McIlroy, who was in a lawsuit brought by Oakley concerning his high-profile endorsement with Nike.
Chambers went on to highlight practitioners Shepard Goldfein, who has represented the NHL; Jeffrey Mishkin, who has represented five of the major sports leagues in litigation related to sports gambling in New Jersey; Thomas Gowan, who has represented a client involving recent team sales; and Anthony Dreyer, who has represented McIlroy.
Other firms recognized as leaders in the practice area included DLA Piper LLP, the aforementioned Foley & Lardner LLP, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Winston & Strawn LLP, Bryan Cave LLP, and Herrick, Feinstein LLP.
DLA Piper LLP, meanwhile, stands out for its work in the field of stadium financing, as well as media rights, intellectual property and other general commercial sports work.
Held out for individual praise was:
Mark Whitaker, a financing specialist, who “has worked on a number of recent stadium deals, including on behalf of the San Francisco 49ers in relation to their new home.”
Peter White, who “was the lead lawyer for Goldman Sachs and US Bank in their $975 million stadium deal with the Minnesota Vikings.”
Charles Baker, who “recently represented Abu Dhabi United Group in its acquisition of New York City FC for $100 million.”
Foley & Lardner LLP secured its place because of its substantial work with Major League Baseball as well as its more recent work with Empire State Development “on the redevelopment and financing strategy relating to New York State’s only football team, the Buffalo Bills.”
Two attorneys earned special mention — Mary Braza for her work with MLB as well as Palace Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Detroit Pistons, and Irwin Raij, who recently represented Guggenheim Baseball Management in media rights issues concerning its new network, SportsNet LA.
Another star in the sports law circles is O’Melveny & Myers LLP, which has deep expertise in media and broadcast rights as well as transactional matters. Driving the sports law practice, according to Chambers, is attorney Joseph Calabrese, who “is commended for his pragmatism when it comes to sports entertainment matters, with sources commenting also on his deep experience.”
Since entering the sports law field with the arrival of veteran sports law attorney Jeffrey Kessler, Winston & Strawn LLP has been more than making up for lost time as evidenced by its inclusion in the Chambers rankings. The firm specializes in representing league players’ associations in labor and employment matters, and has even moved into collegiate athletics with the representation of student athletes.
While Kessler, who has a “preeminent reputation” according to Chambers, is the face of the sports law practice, David Feher has also earned recognition for his “extensive experience in a range of sports matters.”
Bryan Cave LLP has also been recognized by Chambers for its “multifaceted sports practice offering market-leading expertise in doping issues, and experience in stadium financing and other media issues.”
Heading up the practice area is Richard Young, who “is widely respected by sources for his expertise in handling doping issues.” Earning recognition for the firm’s work in broadcast agreements, stadium financing, and sponsorship rights is the sports law attorney Steven Smith.
Last, but certainly not least, is Herrick, Feinstein LLP, which offers expertise in a wide range of “sport-related matters, including stadium deals, media rights agreements and transactions.”
Leading the sports law practice are partners Irwin Kishner and Dan Etna, who have helped serve a variety of clients, including YES Network, Legends Hospitality, InterMedia Partners, Joseph Tacopina, and Staten Island Yankees.
Besides law firms, Chambers also recognizes individual practitioners. Along those earning accolades was Gregory Curtner of Schiff Hardin LLP. He has “particular expertise in student athletics, thanks to his longstanding work with the NCAA,” according to Chambers. “He has represented it in a number of suits relating to compensation for the use of athletes’ likenesses.”
