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
Team
![headshot of team member Donell L. Gibson, Jr.](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbXNCIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--3dfe280e616c8f9cb4c18f35c2e55857ab89e33f/Gibson%20head%20-%20resized%20for%20website.jpg)
![headshot of team member Sean M. O'Brien](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBdDBOIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--22edf4754784bf67b2a0aa31abbfc548ee5a0f93/O'Brien%20Headshot%20Web.png)
Partner | Team Co-Leader - Electronically Stored Information
![headshot of team member Joseph W. Schafer](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBcHdPIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--ca2d176c43e6d2d9713eec1883f072b63e84ac29/Schafer%20Headshot%20Web.png)
Senior Associate | Team Co-Leader - Cannabis
![headshot of team member Richard M. Scherer, Jr.](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBdEFEIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--c9d02ab380a7015d112d03f1980a90898f616eae/Shearer%20Head%20%20USE%20THIS%20ONE.jpg)
Partner | Team Leader - Business & Commercial Litigation
![headshot of team member Scott E. Thompson](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBcDRFIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--2c656f6b477b40b3bc7810df19399a68efcce882/Thompson%20Head%20Crop.jpg)
Partner | Team Co-Leader - Intellectual Property
![headshot of team member Jameson E. Tibbs](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBa3dKIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--7d0854f25cfaf47afe3b77fc082e98d4bd619a12/Tibbs_Jamesson-head.jpg)
Associate | Team Leader, Artificial Intelligence
![headshot of team member Benjamin T. White](https://www.lippes.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBaU1FIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--8b0546574af525c49fbbfd9f096d30bb974f6f9d/White%20Head%20Resize.jpg)
Partner | Team Leader - Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality
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