By Claire Polizzi, J.D. Candidate at Marquette University Law School, Sports Law Certificate Candidate.
At the National Sports Law Institute’s 36th Annual Conference on October 17th, 2025, Michael Lenard received the 2025 Master of the Game Award, becoming its 50th recipient. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the sports industry and who display the highest level of professionalism in their field. The award was first presented in 1992 to legendary Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire. Other past honorees include Martin Greenberg, founder of the National Sports Law Institute, and Allan “Bud” Selig, Commissioner Emeritus of Major League Baseball.
A Wisconsin native, Lenard was honored in his home state at Marquette University Law School. He is currently the President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), the governing board of the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A former Olympian, he competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Games as a member of the United States men’s handball team and was later named the sport’s 1985 Male Athlete of the Year.
Lenard’s influence in sports extends beyond his time as an athlete. He has served in key leadership roles within the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), including as Vice President, and as a member of the Board of Directors for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games Organizing Committee. His dedication to the Olympic movement earned him the Olympic Torch award in 2017, the USOPC’s highest honor.
In addition to his Olympic service, Lenard built a distinguished legal career in international law and business. He has held senior positions with international and domestic private equity firms, practiced law as a partner at a global law firm, and served on the National Sports Law Institute’s Board of Advisors.
Lenard was honored with this award for his four decades of significant contributions to Olympic sports both in and outside the United States. Lenard’s colleagues and friends spoke at the ceremony about his global impact and personal integrity. The award presentation was led by Professor Matthew Mitten of Marquette University Law School.
The first tribute came from Matthieu Reeb, Direct General of CAS. Reeb praised Lenard’s lifelong commitment to ensuring that athletes’ interests are protected. He highlighted Lenard’s extensive service across numerous committees within the USPOC and his leadership as chair for multiple ad hoc CAS divisions. Reeb commended Lenard’s curiosity about different traditions and cultures as he travels around the world for ICAS meetings and the Olympic games. He described Lenard’s passion for sport and his desire to promote the interests of athletes at large through his work in the Olympic movement.
Dean emphasized Lenard’s motivation as he was not the most naturally gifted athlete, but was determined to be bigger, faster, and stronger, embodying the Olympic spirit. He noted Lenard’s intelligence both on and off the field and how he was the perfect teammate who made everyone around him perform better. Dean shared personal stories demonstrating Lenard’s loyalty and selflessness, including skipping his own Torch Award ceremony to attend a friend’s wedding and personally arranging for an Olympic flag to be delivered to Rob Dean’s funeral. Dean said he is blessed to have Lenard as a lifelong friend and teammate.
Professor Mitten then read additional tributes from two of Lenard’s peers who were unable to attend the event.
Mike Plant, President and CEO of Development for the Atlanta Braves, praised Lenard’s lifelong standard of excellence that has had a positive impact worldwide. Plant described his admiration for Lenard’s intelligence, passion, and commitment to helping the Olympic movement thrive. He acknowledged Lenard’s personal and professional sacrifices that have been made for the Olympic movement, praising Lenard for his decades of service and lifelong friendship.
Another message came from Rick Schlesinger, President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers, who first met Lenard nearly forty years ago while working as a first-year associate in Los Angeles. Schlesinger recalled Lenard’s mentorship early in his legal career. He also recognized that Lenard never wavered in his love for Olympic sports. Schlesinger wrote that Lenard “embodies professionalism, compassion, integrity, and dedication that is the hallmark of past recipients of Master of the Game Award.”
Professor Mitten then offered his own reflection, describing his fifteen-year friendship with Lenard. He recalled working with him on arbitration panels, including during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He praised Lenard for being the “guiding light” in ad hoc proceedings, ensuring the panel asked the right questions to reach fair outcomes. Mitten touched on Lenard’s character, stating that even after losing his home in the Los Angeles wildfires, his integrity never wavered. Mitten praised Lenard for his passion and commitment to the Olympic movement, describing it as extraordinary.
Professors Paul Anderson and Mitten formally presented the Master of the Game Award to Lenard, who delivered a humble acceptance speech. He thanked the presenters and those who shared tributes, joking that he appreciated their kind words and that they chose not to roast him.
Lenard reflected on his career, acknowledging that he is proud of his athletic achievements and the hard work and dedication it took to get there. He spoke to sacrifices, both the known and unknown, that he had to make. Lenard recognized that being an Olympian is a rare and special accomplishment, and he carries an obligation to give back to the Olympic movement. Lenard found it incomprehensible that his name is among past honorees that were his childhood heroes, such as Coach McGuire.
Lenard highlighted specific reasons why it was meaningful for him to receive this award. First, expressing special gratitude for receiving the honor from the National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University Law School, located in his hometown. Growing up in Milwaukee, Lenard was a fan of the Marquette basketball team, making it meaningful to accept the award there. Lenard then reflected on the past honorees, noting that they exemplify the highest levels of professionalism. He spoke to the award giving him reassurance and validation of his work for the Olympic movement. He concluded by calling the award an “incredible and unexpected honor” that he accepted with humility and appreciation.
