William King, Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance for the Southeastern Conference, has been named as the new General Counsel for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), reporting directly to CEO Sarah Hirshland. King will assume his role on October 15, 2025 and will relocate to Colorado Springs, Colo.
As General Counsel, King will serve as a key member of the USOPC’s executive leadership team, providing legal, governance, and compliance oversight across the organization and its affiliated entities. In this capacity, he will guide the USOPC’s legal strategy, ensure integrity and compliance across the Olympic and Paralympic Movement in the U.S., and serve as Corporate Secretary to the USOPC Board of Directors.
“Since joining the conference, William has been a key colleague and important asset to both our office and our membership,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “He has provided strong leadership during a pivotal period of change in college athletics and has made a meaningful impact on the national stage. Exceptional talent naturally draws attention, and I am confident he will advance the mission of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee with the same dedication and effectiveness that he has provided to the SEC.”
“William brings unparalleled legal expertise and a deep appreciation for the role sport plays in shaping lives and communities,” said USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland. “As we continue to evolve the USOPC to deliver the best possible athlete experience and uphold the highest standards of integrity, William’s steady leadership and proven record navigating complex governance challenges will strengthen our ability to serve Team USA and the Olympic and Paralympic Movement.”
King joined the SEC in 2015 and has managed complex litigation, government relations, compliance and infractions, sports gambling integrity, and governance matters on behalf of the conference.
Previously, King was a founding partner at Lightfoot, Franklin & White, where he built a nationally recognized practice in college sports law, representing institutions, coaches, and student-athletes in high-profile NCAA matters.
King earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Washington & Lee University and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif.
