Practice Areas & Industries: Holland & Knight LLP

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Holland & Knight's Sports Law Practice brings to the business of sports the firm's significant experience in the areas of corporate and transactional matters; finance; government; federal, state and local tax; real estate; education and many other areas of the law. Lawyers in our multifaceted Sports Law Practice Group have a thorough understanding of the sports industry. Together with their understanding of the priorities and concerns of all private and public parties, they effectively plan, structure, negotiate and document transactions, anticipate issues, and provide creative strategies and advice.

Services Available

We provide special counseling and have a demonstrated record of achievement in:

• public and private finance, development, management, lease and taxation of facilities
• franchise acquisition, management and finance, as well as league matters
• merchandising, licensing and broadcasting
• defense and prosecution of litigation matters involving such collegiate athletics, antitrust claims in the ski industry, and thoroughbred racing, among others

Additionally, our attorneys have:

• structured, drafted and negotiated agreements for the development, management and use of sports facilities
• represented teams in securing government incentives for sports facilities
• represented teams and governments in the public financing of sports facilities
• represented teams in the private financing of sports facilities
• represented teams in connection with credit facilities
• represented purchasers and sellers of professional sports franchises and interests in franchises
• represented teams in connection with all state and local tax aspects of facility ownership, development, financing and operations, including deferral of state sales taxes on facility equipment purchases
• provided consultation to colleges and universities on various collegiate sports issues, including improvements and refinements to athletics compliance manuals and programs
• served as in-house counsel to a major league baseball team
• negotiated broadcast, merchandise and licensing agreements with and/or on behalf of professional teams and leagues
• obtained beverage alcohol licenses for sports facilities

Sports Facilities Financing
Holland & Knight represents local governments, private entities and teams concerning the development, construction and use of sports facilities, including tax-exempt financing, tax-increment financing, ancillary development, corporate sponsorships and naming rights, infrastructure development adjacent to the facility, and lease or use agreement negotiations.

Collegiate Sports
Collegiate sports is as complex and sophisticated as the more traditional areas of the law. Holland & Knight offers comprehensive services in both education and sports law to assist in this area. We have significant experience in conference realignment issues and related litigation, and, when required, have advised our university clients on NCAA issues.