Practice Areas & Industries: Carlton Fields, P.A.

Practice Group Overview

Carlton Fields attorneys know sports. Our attorneys draw on in-depth industry experience. The sports practice includes:

• A former general counsel for Minor League Baseball/former Major League baseball player
• A former officer and general counsel of a major sports organization
• A former athlete agent for the NFL
• Former collegiate football and baseball players
• A former collegiate coach
• The current president of a professional sports league

Our sports practitioners regularly advise clients in the sale and acquisition of professional sports franchises, the construction of stadiums and arenas, the governance of sports leagues, the licensing of sports properties, and the resolution of disputes.

LEGAL SERVICES & EXPERIENCE

Carlton Fields' experienced attorneys provide skilled representation to address all of the legal needs of our sports industry clients. Attorneys assist clients in the following areas of law:

• Corporate, domestic, and international tax
• Wealth and asset preservation
• Labor and employment
• Real estate
• Finance
• Litigation, arbitration, mediation, and dispute resolution
• Zoning and land use

Attorneys have represented clients in a wide variety of sports-related matters, including:

• Sports franchise sales and acquisitions
• Stadium and arena construction
• League formation and governance
• Stadium leasing and management
• Franchise relocation and territorial rights
• Ownership structuring
• Licensing, merchandizing, and protecting sports properties
• Public offerings for sale of securities
• Player contracts, endorsements, and sponsorships
• Marketing and promotions
• Concessions and business operations
• Naming rights and advertising
• Television, radio, and media rights

REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS/INDUSTRIES

• Professional athletes
• Professional and amateur clubs
• Professional and amateur leagues
• Sports venues
• Owners
• Coaches
• Colleges and universities
• Marketing and promotional companies and agencies

SELECT REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Advised on governance matters regarding Minor League Baseball league
• Represented both major and minor league clients in transactional matters including franchise acquisitions and disposition
• Prosecuted a franchise relocation application with sports authorities
• Resolved territorial rights issues
• Negotiated licensing and merchandising agreements
• Drafted league constitutions and by-laws
• Structured, drafted, and negotiated agreements for development, construction, management, lease, and use of sports facilities and venues
• Represented clients before governmental authorities to secure facility rights and incentives
• Drafted and negotiated agreements with governmental, regulatory, and supervisory agencies and bodies
• Represented Major and Minor League franchise and leagues in regulatory and operational matters