Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP and Grand Prix Entertainment, Inc., a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment company, announced today that the law firm has been retained to assist Grand Prix Entertainment in the formation of a soon to be announced sports and entertainment venture.
Sheppard Mullin Partner Kelly C. Crabb will lead a team of labor, corporate and antitrust lawyers.
Grand Prix Entertainment was recently granted the United States Exclusive Sanction and License Rights to own, operate and globally broadcast professional, and the now Olympic, sport of Union Rugby Sevens, by USA Rugby (USAR), the United States official governing body for the sport of Union Rugby. USAR is a member of both the Rugby World Cup’s International Rugby Board and the United States Olympic Committee.
“We are excited to have enlisted the power and global resources of Sheppard Mullin with Kelly Crabb at the helm of our efforts,” said Grand Prix Entertainment’s Chairman William Tatham. “Kelly brings significant advisory experience in global sports through his extensive work with the Beijing and Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committees and will oversee all the critical legal milestones related to our soon to be announced venture with USA Rugby.”
Crabb said “Grand Prix Rugby contacted me based on my experience with high profile events like the Beijing Olympics. They also liked the fact that the firm has a strong and well-recognized sports practice.”
Crabb added that the firm will be creating the legal foundation for the league.
“This means that we will draft the constitutional and other foundation documents for the league,” Crabb said. “Of course, we will be advising the client with respect to protecting its intellectual property and in giving advice related to licensing. We will also be helping out with all types of agreements (including, for example, player agreements, etc.)”
