By JJ Gobin
This year’s Harvard Sports Law Symposium brought together some of the most accomplished attorneys, executives, and alumni shaping the business of sports. Across four panels, speakers explored the evolving roles of private equity, athlete representatives, alumni experience, and in-house legal teams within the dynamic landscape of sports law.
Here are the key takeaways from each panel:
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Panel 1: Private Equity in Sports
Moderated by Christopher Deubert, this panel featured Russell Hedman (Hogan Lovells), Irwin Raij (Sidley Austin), Yared Alula (TMRW Sports), and Jason Krochak (Proskauer Rose). Together, they examined the rapid growth of private equity (PE) in professional and collegiate athletics.
Panelists noted how sports organizations have matured into a distinct and attractive asset class, driven by rising valuations, increased demand from high-net-worth investors, and expanded investment beyond media rights into adjacent real estate and stadium-related opportunities. Raij emphasized the experiential advantage PE brings, particularly in stadium development, having overseen multiple projects himself. Once driven by passion, team acquisitions are now increasingly about long-term asset value and economic growth.
The conversation addressed how PE has succeeded in filling gaps where there are fewer traditional buyers, but raised concerns about its alignment with league values and public trust. With PE firms having different incentives than traditional owners, panelists emphasized the importance of regulatory safeguards like minimum hold periods and limitations on forced liquidity.
Legal mechanisms such as tag-along and drag-along rights were highlighted as vital structuring tools for minority investments. Krochak and Alula discussed the challenges PE faces in recapturing liquidity, noting that stakes are often held without returns for extended periods. The NFL’s evolving ownership rules, such as reducing the controlling threshold from 75% to 30%, were seen as steps toward expanding investment while still managing control.
Investment in women’s sports was noted as a particularly promising area, with Russell Hedman observing it as a “less dogmatic” investment environment. Alula and others agreed that newer leagues offer more flexibility for creative ownership structures.
Panel 2: HLS Alumni in Sports Law
Moderated by Professor Peter Carfagna, this panel featured Allie Chinsky (Atlanta Hawks), Jimmy McEntee and Sam Spurrell (Hogan Lovells), Michael McGregor (Paul Weiss), Jimmie Strong (The Advisory Incorporated), and David White (former Peace Corps Deputy Director).
Panelists discussed how among the wide range of legal practices that sports law covers, contract drafting remains foundational. Whether working at a firm or in-house, lawyers must understand their client’s mindset to provide effective counsel.
Alumni reflected on the importance of staying open to new opportunities while being strategic about long-term goals. Relationships across the industry were seen as essential, with Spurrell noting how interconnected the sports world can be. Panelists warned against needlessly aggressive dealmaking tactics, advocating for trust and collaboration in their processes.
Several panelists discussed the increasing importance of athlete branding, particularly for younger players. Strong emphasized that athletes are now brands, and that lawyers must help clients navigate partnerships that reflect their values. David White added that talent is increasingly challenging traditional models, pushing for greater ownership and creative control over their product.
Stories shared included helping a high school athlete secure a local water sponsorship and encouraging young clients to invest early in 401(k)s or venture opportunities. The main takeaway about representation is it requires care, creativity, and an understanding of an athlete’s holistic journey.
Panel 3: Representing the Professional Athlete
Kim Miale (Roc Nation Sports), Erin Kane (Excel Sports Management), Nic Mayne (Nixon Peabody), and Joe Rosen (ICON Sports) expanded on athlete representation in this panel exploring legal strategies, relationship-building, and industry challenges in the field.
Panelists shared non-linear career paths—from litigation and corporate M&A to international sports dealmaking. Among all sports, early representation was a recurring theme: players are now being signed as young as 13 or 14, particularly in hockey and baseball. Evaluating talent and potential at such early stages is becoming a necessary skill.
Miale highlighted the dual benefits of being both general counsel and an agent, enabling her to provide broader legal guidance. Kane, reflecting on Caitlin Clark’s brand strategy, noted that being selective and intentional with sponsorships is key to long-term success.
Panelists also discussed NIL as a licensing issue that affects athletes across all levels. Mayne pointed out that many young athletes don’t fully understand the contracts they sign—with some inking dozens of NIL deals with little clarity on their implications.
On the business side, Rosen detailed the limited earning potential in early-stage baseball contracts and the patience required by agents. Social media and engagement metrics were identified as key factors in sponsorship success, with panelists noting the balance between authenticity and brand alignment.
A recurring theme was the value of client compatibility. Kane and Rosen emphasized that the best clients are those who share similar values and maintain strong personal character. The session ended with reflections on risk: bad contract terms, client injuries, or unanticipated deal fallout were all cited as sources of concern.
Panel 4: Inside the Legal Department: Team Counsel Perspectives
The final panel included Jeff Gewirtz (BSE Global), Jim Cobery (Kraft Group), Ed Weiss (Fenway Sports Group), and James Parker (Boston Celtics), offering a rare look into the responsibilities of team legal departments.
Panelists shared how their careers in sports often came unexpectedly. Parker, for instance, transitioned from M&A work at Goodwin and Bingham to his current role after a serendipitous meeting involving the Celtics’ assistant GM.
All agreed that general counsel roles are fundamentally generalist, requiring flexibility and broad legal fluency. Whether dealing with team sales, international sponsorships, or FIFA regulatory issues, the nature of the work is constantly shifting. Parket even noted that being in the midst of a team sale has brought his M&A background back to the forefront.
Cobery emphasized how different teams require different legal strategies. The Kraft Group’s work with both the Patriots and Revolution involves navigating evolving media rights, international markets, and increasingly complex data privacy concerns. Weiss described how shifting revenue models and the end of regional broadcasting could alter how leagues like MLB operate.
The panel also addressed hiring. Given the fast-paced nature of in-house legal departments, entry-level training can be limited. Cobery underscored the value of growing talent through internships, gradually increasing responsibility over time. The goal, he said, is to help young lawyers discover where they want to take their careers—whether that’s within the organization, with a league, or at a law firm.
Across each panel, the symposium highlighted how sports law demands not only technical legal skill, but also adaptability, creativity, and a deep understanding of both people and markets. As the business of sports continues to evolve, so too will the roles of the lawyers who shape it.
JJ Gobin is the Vice President of the Sports Law Symposium for the Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law at HLS.
