We represent a wide range of clients, including sports leagues and governing bodies, team owners, content creators, digital media platforms, live content distributors, arenas and facilities, and sports tech companies, assisting with the following:

• League formation, governance, and team relations. 
• Administrative, regulatory, and compliance.
• Operations and management agreements.
• General commercial, corporate, and financing matters.
• Government relations and ethics.
• Employment matters. 
• Labor relations.
• Tax and benefits.
• Insurance.
• Enforcement inquiries and internal investigations.
• Facilities, environmental, energy, and sustainability. 
• Real estate, land use, and zoning.
• Litigation and dispute resolution.
• Cross-platform media rights and content licensing.
• Name, image, and likeness (NIL) compliance and licensing.
• Branding, promotion, and sponsorship.
• Trademark, brand enforcement, and portfolio management.

Perkins Coie counsels parties on all sides of major league sports investments and supports the day-to-day work of every successful franchise. We have a strong history of representing parties throughout the lifecycle of their investments and understand the unique dynamics of these transactions. Experienced in facilitating complex partnerships, we have helped structure and reorganize professional sports teams and coordinate public-private collaborations. We help clients confidently manage transactions, access strategic investments, and establish legal frameworks to ensure long-term success and a legacy in the sports industry.

• Acquisitions and divestitures.
• Joint ventures.
• Fund creation and investment.  
• Family office representation.
• Entity formation and governance.
• Commercial contracts.

Perkins Coie serves clients seeking to maximize audience reach and monetization opportunities for premium content. Leveraging emerging digital and traditional distribution models, we assist clients with novel licensing, business model, and compliance needs. We offer advice on structuring, negotiating, and operationalizing high-value sports media rights as well as provide product counseling for the latest digital offerings.

• Content production, distribution, and partnerships.
• Product counsel and compliance.
• Sports betting and fantasy sports.
• Sports tech portfolio management, protection, and commercialization.

Perkins Coie is leading the way in using innovative technologies to redefine the fan experience for sports and entertainment venues. Our approach is centered on enhancements driven by data insights, cutting edge technology, cybersecurity and developing infrastructure. Our lawyers manage both physical and digital advancements, ensuring that sports venues and surrounding entertainment districts not only meet current standards but anticipate future needs of the community. We are committed to creating safer, more efficient, and engaging environments that forge new connections with fans and set our clients apart in a competitive, connected market. 

• Data collection and privacy compliance.
• New tech platforms for fan engagement. 
• Contactless ticketing, payment tech, and e-commerce. 
• In-venue artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
• Biometric identity management and security.
• Venue construction and redevelopment.
• Environment, energy and sustainability initiatives.

Perkins Coie’s proactive strategies not only identify and mitigate risks but also involve crafting tailored policies, controls, and training programs. We draw on our significant experience in investigations related to a broad range of misconduct, including traditional white-collar issues like corruption, which is increasingly pertinent in the sports world, as well as issues such as sexual harassment and abuse. We preemptively address potential disputes and provide experienced, tailored litigation support.

• Anti-corruption training and ethics programs. 
• Risk assessments.
• Anti-bribery compliance.
• Sanctions prevention.
• Anti-money laundering compliance. 
• Anti-doping policies and investigations.
• Misconduct and abuse of power.

Perkins Coie provides comprehensive counseling to universities, colleges and their partners in numerous evolving legal issues. We support university sports clients as they adapt to the changing compliance and commercialization models for athletes' NIL rights. We also enable clients to effectively address internal investigations, facilities-related matters, commercial transactions, employment matters, and more. 

• Contract negotiation and management. 
• Multimedia rights, media, and content agreements.
• Investigations and compliance.
• Name, image, likeness compliance.