Sports Law

Barnes & Thornburg’s Sports Law practice is well-equipped to cover all elements of the modern sports ecosystem, representing major players in both professional sports and collegiate athletics. Our nationwide roster of clients features professional teams, leagues, universities, motorsports organizations, sponsors, emerging sports properties and live event operators. Our attorneys bring deep, long-standing experience across the sports industry, providing practical, creative, and nimble counsel to all types of sports organizations allowing them to thrive in an ever-changing business environment.

Our Sports Law experience spans all legal disciplines, including advising clients in such areas as corporate governance, commercial and technology transactions, regulatory matters, media rights and other intellectual property, employment issues, sponsorship arrangements, and dispute resolution.  

Professional Sports

Professional sports is a fast-moving industry which demands counsel with real depth and precision. The attorneys on Barnes & Thornburg’s Professional Sports team offer clients deep experience across the full spectrum of professional sports law — from commercial transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance to IP and stadium development.

Our team has earned the trust of the industry’s most influential organizations, ranging from professional sports leagues and governing organizations to entrepreneurs and start-up ventures. Our work spans the business of sports, as evidenced by having represented the NFL, the NBA, over 50 teams throughout the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, as well as emerging professional leagues and their teams (such as LOVB, NWSL, the WNBA, Bassmasters and Major League Cricket).

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Collegiate Athletics

In today’s shifting world of college athletics, House implementation creates risks and opportunities that require vision across the entire legal landscape, from NIL and IP rights to employment risks, Title IX compliance and more. Universities need experienced, responsive, and nimble counsel to stay legally compliant and competitive with their peers. 

Our attorneys have advised universities across the country on all manner of issues in athletics compliance and best practices.

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Motorsports 

Motorsports operates at high speed — and so do we. Whether securing sponsorships, protecting IP or resolving disputes, our attorneys bring a business-first approach that helps clients accelerate their initiatives with confidence. We represent racing teams, sponsors, and venues on sponsorship agreements, intellectual property protection, regulatory considerations, employment matters, and dispute resolution arising in a global racing environment. 

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