Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality

Lippes Mathias’ multidisciplinary Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality Practice Team not only has the legal expertise to assist clients in these industries but also practical real-world experience.

Led by Benjamin White, former Assistant General Counsel for a sports and entertainment industry leader, and comprised of attorneys who have extensive experience representing clients in professional, collegiate, and amateur sports organizations, the team has represented:

Member teams of the National Football League;
Member teams of the National Hockey League;
Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and other professional sports leagues;
Minor League Hockey Teams (including, member teams of the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, and Southern Professional Hockey League);
Member teams of the National Lacrosse League;
Member teams of the Arena Football League and National Arena League
Thoroughbred racing stables;
Numerous arena and stadium operators;
Sporting goods manufacturers;
Sponsors;
Promoters; and
Developers

Our team is comprised of attorneys from the firm’s Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Real Estate, Employment, Litigation, Intellectual Property, Not-For-Profit, and Immigration Practice Teams.

Lippes Mathias’ attorneys assist clients in the sports, entertainment, and hospitality industries with:

Acquisition and divestiture of professional sports organizations;
Acquisition and divestiture of restaurant and hotel properties;
Professional sports teams investments (both equity and debt transactions);
Investments in stadiums, arenas, and other sports complexes;
Sponsorship agreements (both for brand sponsors and teams and venue operators)
Naming rights agreements
Stadium and arena license agreements
NCAA compliance matters and representation of athletes in connection with their Name, Image, and Likeness;
NCAA student eligibility
Formation of restaurant, entertainment, and other hospitality properties
License agreements
Application for and compliance with state and federal alcoholic beverage licensing
Facility and other special use agreements
Promoter agreements and brand and social media influencer contracts
Athlete and talent immigration matters
Defense of sports, entertainment, and hospitality companies in litigation matters
Drafting contests/sweepstakes rules