The Sports Lawyers Association, the leading organization of professionals dedicated to the practicing and teaching of sports law in the United States, and one of the leading sports law professional organizations worldwide, has announced the lineup for its 42nd annual conference.
The conference, which will take place May 12—14 at the JW Marriott LA Live in Los Angeles, will feature leading experts and practitioners spanning all aspects of the industry, domestically and internationally.
The conference highlights include: 25 panels and breakout sessions featuring expert analysis and debate of contemporary issues facing the sports industry, a presentation honoring the 2016 Philanthropy Initiative recipient, and the announcement of the Law Student Writing Competition winners.
In addition, there will be an international breakfast featuring a presentation by a high-ranking official from the General Administration for Sport of the People’s Republic of China.
“This year’s conference will be one of the SLA’s best ever in terms of interactive discussions among leading experts about the most important and current national and international sports law, business, and ethical issues,” said SLA President Matthew Mitten, who is also the director of the National Sports Law Institute and the LL.M. in Sports Law program for foreign lawyers at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, WI. “It offers an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your professional knowledge and to meet new sports industry colleagues, who will become your friends over time. I look forward to seeing you in LA!”
SLA Conference Chair Robert A. Hacker added that the association provides something that is rare in the legal community: access.
“Where else can a law student, a young lawyer, or even a seasoned veteran of the business have access to the biggest players in the sports law world?” he said. “Part of what the SLA brings to the legal profession is collegial sharing in the best possible way.”
Highlighted panels include:
Executive Directors Forum—invited panelists include: Tony Clark, Executive Director, MLBPA; Donald M. Fehr, Executive Director, NHLPA; Michele Roberts, Executive Director, NBPA; DeMaurice F. Smith, Executive Director, NFLPA
General Counsel Forum—invited panelists include: Adolpho A. Birch III, Vice President of Labor Policy and Government Affairs, NFL; William Daily, Deputy Commissioner, NHL; Daniel Halem, Chief Legal Counsel, MLB; Richard W. Buchanan, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, NBA
The Future of Sports TV—invited panelists include: Chris Bevilacqua, Founder, Bevilacqua Helfant Ventures; Phillip Gharabegian, Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Cable Networks; Brett T. Goodman, Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, NBC Sports Group
The Future of the NCAA—invited panelists include: Lynn Holzman, Commissioner, West Coast Conference; Oliver F. Luck, Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, NCAA; Larry Scott, Commissioner, Pac‐12 Conference; Len J. Elmore, Basketball Analyst for ESPN and CBS Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports: Games of Chance or Games of Skill?
Court of Arbitration for Sport Overview, Olympic Games Ad Hoc Division and Practice (including CAS Secretary General Matthieu Reeb)
FIFA and Other Scandals: The Evolving Ethical Obligations of U.S. Lawyers
Off‐Field Athlete Conduct Issues: Sexual & Domestic Violence (Panel Moderator: Jane McManus, Journalist, ESPN)
Using Athlete Names, Images, and Likenesses: Legal Battles over the Right of Publicity
Women’s Emerging Sports Leagues: Continued Growth of eSports
Chinese Sports Law Developments (featuring Chinese lawyers from private practice and IMG)
International Games Bidding and Hosting (featuring, among others, Susan Ahern, General Counsel, World Rugby)
Major International Events: Bidding and Hosting
The 2016 SLA Conference Committee is chaired by Hacker (Fox Sports) with vice‐chairs Jeff Benz (4 New Square (Barristers) and Versus Advocates) and Mary Kay Braza (Foley & Lardner, LLP). Conference registration, a complete agenda, hotel information, and other details are available at www.sportslaw.org. (Agenda is subject to change.)
The Sports Lawyers Association (http://sportslaw.org/) is a nonprofit, international professional organization whose common goal is the understanding, advancement, and ethical practice of sports law. There are approximately 1,800 current members: practicing lawyers, in‐house counsel, law educators, law students, and other professionals with an interest in law relating to professional and amateur sports spanning the breadth of the entire sports industry.
