Sports

Services In-Depth

Transactions, Investments & Tax

Akin is a market leader in structuring complex transactions and delivering innovative capital solutions for sports clients across the globe. Our lawyers adeptly guide investors through the sports industry’s complexities, catering to a diverse range of clients that include investment funds, companies and directors. Our proficiency in M&A, restructurings and a variety of investment scenarios is underscored by our focus on debt financings, capital markets transactions and corporate governance.

Our experience also encompasses urban development and economic initiatives, where we partner with teams, leagues and governments on significant projects, including major media distribution deals. We adeptly navigate the legal intricacies of sports betting, managing transactions with operators. This knowledge extends across a wide spectrum of transactions in the sports sector, from the acquisition of major league teams to securing interests in minority sports franchises. We offer comprehensive advice on tax planning and compliance, addressing the full breadth of legal challenges to ensure fiscal efficiency and regulatory compliance in investments.

Furthermore, we provide strategic guidance to help our clients adapt to the evolving media & entertainment landscape, tackling challenges from the rise of streaming services, new media channels and cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and artificial intelligence (AI) in sports & entertainment. Our involvement in the sports sector also includes real estate and infrastructure projects, managing all aspects from land acquisition to the operational phase of sports facilities.

Our aim is to deliver strategic, results-oriented advice, meticulously tailored to align with each client’s investment objectives in the dynamic world of sports.

Lobbying & Public Policy

Our renowned lobbying & public policy practice integrates a top lobbying practice within a full-service law firm. Our bipartisan group includes former members of Congress and other lawyers and professionals with considerable government service experience. With this formidable experience, our team of experienced professionals is well-versed in navigating the complex landscape of sports policy and regulation, ensuring that our clients’ interests are effectively represented at all levels of government.

With a proven track record of success, we have established strong relationships with key decision-makers and influencers in the sports industry. This enables us to craft tailored strategies that align with our clients’ specific goals and objectives, whether it’s advocating for favorable legislation, addressing regulatory challenges or promoting an organization’s interests. We leverage our extensive network and industry insights to shape policy discussions, drive meaningful change and position our clients for success in an ever-evolving sports landscape.

Our client base encompasses a wide range of organizations and entities within the sports industry. We proudly represent major professional sports leagues, leveraging our experience to influence policy decisions that directly impact crucial areas such as player safety, labor relations and broadcasting rights.

Additionally, we possess the political acumen and extensive connections necessary to advocate for U.S. and multinational sporting associations and governing bodies, effectively addressing matters such as federal funding, athlete rights and the successful hosting of major sporting events.

Furthermore, our team is well equipped to provide invaluable assistance to sports facilities and venue operators, including stadium owners, event organizers and entertainment companies, by advocating for their interests in relation to zoning, permitting, licensing and other regulatory considerations.

Labor & Employment, Litigation & Regulatory

Akin assists sports clients confronted with consequential labor, litigation and regulatory matters that cannot be addressed with cookie-cutter strategies. Our lawyers have been repeatedly recognized for deploying creative approaches to significant and potentially problematic cases or issues. In addition, our regulatory team guides sports’ clients through their most sensitive government investigations and counsels them on their most challenging compliance issues.

Our lawyers have substantial experience advising on collective bargaining and representing professional sports teams, leagues and organizations in disputes with their players, umpires, referees, employees and independent contractors. We have conducted high-stakes internal investigations and defended claims involving significant issues such as discrimination, harassment, defamation, wrongful termination and workers’ compensation.

Notably, Akin has represented the NFL for more than 30 years, handling a range of matters of critical importance to the league and its member clubs, including several high-profile arbitrations and matters involving some of the league’s most prominent players. We have also represented sports industry clients in significant class action litigation involving issues such as player care and independent contractor status of officials.

Representative Matters

Transactions, Investments & Tax

• Advised a consortium in the tax aspects of the acquisition of an NFL team.
• Advised on the acquisition of a minority interest in an NFL team.
• Advised on potential acquisitions of an NFL team, an MLB team and an English soccer team.
• Advised on the acquisition of a leading youth sports brand.
• Advised partners with loss utilization strategies for investments in various sports franchises.
• Advised on the acquisition of multiple parcels for a new NBA team's arena and a shopping mall.
• Advised on Opportunity Zone redevelopment projects for venue adjacent to team
• Advised on the acquisition of tennis tournaments in Brazil by international investors.

Lobbying & Public Policy

• Representing the Southeastern Conference in relation to federal efforts to create uniformity in the marketplace for athletes’ monetization of their name, image and likeness. In these efforts, Akin works closely with the NCAA and other conferences and interested parties to advance legislation that would provide a federal standard to eliminate a confusing patchwork of state laws and implement safeguards for student athletes.
• Led efforts for an association of independent venues seeking government assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working with Senators John Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar, our advocacy resulted in the enactment of the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act. This $16-billion rescue program provides financial support to music venues, movie theaters, Broadway and performing arts centers and museums.
• Engaged by the NTRA to advocate for legislation that establishes federal regulations for the horseracing industry. Our efforts included lobbying Congress to establish minimum safety standards and practices for horse welfare and track maintenance. As a result, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) was enacted in 2020, authorizing a private self-regulatory organization to develop rules for horseracing.
• Played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of the Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. Working closely with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, we developed a comprehensive strategy to garner support for the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Through strategic engagement with influential members of Congress, we effectively conveyed the importance of honoring the centennial anniversary of the Negro Leagues. As a result, the legislation gained significant traction and was signed into law as H.R. 4104 (116th) on December 4, 2020, marking a historic moment in recognizing and honoring the legacy of the Negro Leagues.

Labor & Employment, Litigation & Regulatory

• Successfully defended a professional sports league in federal court to obtain summary judgment in a player’s challenge to an arbitration award upholding his suspension for violation of the league’s anti-doping policy.
• Negotiated and drafted a collective bargaining agreement for a professional sports league.
• Advised a major sports association in wage-and-hour litigation challenging the independent contractor status of its officials.
• Successfully defended a professional sports league in ERISA claims brought by former players seeking to overturn disability benefit determinations.
• Represented a prominent sports and entertainment company in an age discrimination case involving a former lawyer for the company.
• Representing teams and leagues in connection with workers compensation matters and litigation
• Obtained a dismissal of a player’s claim that his team’s medical staff had failed to provide adequate warning of his medical condition.
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a sports and entertainment company into alleged discrimination.