Industries

Soccer Law

In this section:

PROVIDING UNIQUE AND UNMATCHED ADVICE TO SOCCER/FOOTBALL CLUBS, LEAGUES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, EXECUTIVES AND PLAYERS 

Our Soccer Law Practice Group provides comprehensive services to organizations and individuals at all levels of the sport, from youth club to college soccer, to the Premier League as well as other international clubs.

We represent clubs, leagues and other organizations in a variety of complex matters affecting each aspect of their operation, including employment issues, financing and merger and acquisition matters, corporate governance, for-profit/non-profit issues, and the drafting and negotiation of wide-ranging agreements, including employment contracts, athletic facility development agreements, strategic partnership agreements, sponsorship agreements, equipment supplier contracts, leases, and operational and revenue sharing agreements.  In addition, we have represented professional soccer players in the negotiation of playing contracts and endorsement deals.

Owing to their unique experience, our partners are commonly called upon by leading media to comment on issues within the sport, including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Sports Business Journal, Sports Illustrated, the Washington Post, The Athletic, Soccer America, the Boston Globe and the London Evening Standard.

Recent Representative Matters:

  • Represented the United Soccer League Players Association in their new strategic partnership with IDA Sports, which designs cleats specifically for women’s feet. IDA Sports is now the official footwear partner for the USLPA players in the USL D1 women’s Super League.
  • Represented ownership group in negotiation of pro soccer league Expansion Franchise Agreement
  • Represented soccer club in dispute with league and sanctioning organization
  • Mediated partnership dispute between majority owners of professional soccer club
  • Represented City of Boston in stadium negotiations with National Women’s Soccer League ownership group
  • Conducted internal investigation of major university’s soccer program
  • Represented soccer league and organization in arbitration matter
  • Negotiated two initial Collective Bargaining Agreements for the United Soccer League Players Association
  • Represented professional pickleball players in contract dispute related to merger of two leagues
  • Represented soccer club in drafting and negotiation of Coach Employment Agreement
  • Conducted internal investigation for soccer club in a matter involving alleged inappropriate contact by a coach
  • Conducted feasibility study for major British pro soccer club
  • Represented soccer club in complex matter involving corporate governance, employment and trademark issues, as well as litigation
  • Represented sports executive in formation of consulting company
  • Represented college golf coach in employment matters with state university
  • Represented British soccer coach in negotiation of Head Coach Employment Agreement with American professional club
  • Represented soccer club in merger with another club
  • Represented founders in financing (Private Placement Limited Offering) for indoor soccer facility
  • Represented soccer club in corporate governance and compliance matters
  • Advised English Premier League coach regarding employment matters
  • Represented sports apparel and equipment company in executive compensation and tax matters
  • Represented sports apparel and equipment company in dispute involving restrictive covenant agreement
  • Represented soccer club in litigation matter involving restrictive covenant agreement
  • Represented soccer club in defense of lawsuit alleging employment discrimination
  • Represented soccer club in its trademark matters
  • Represented soccer club in the drafting of a standard Player Agreement
  • Represented and advised major British soccer club as to acquisition of an American pro franchise
  • Represented and advised major British soccer club as to American youth soccer plans
  • Represented pro soccer player in an arbitration vs. professional soccer club
  • Conducted investigation on behalf of a soccer league in a matter involving alleged inappropriate recruiting activities
  • Represented interests of female pro soccer player
  • Represented venerable college athletic conference in negotiation matters
  • Represented pro soccer club in negotiation of a strategic partnership with leading youth club
  • Represented youth soccer club in negotiation of a strategic partnership with another club
  • Represented soccer league in its contractual and corporate governance matters
  • Represented soccer club in an appeal matter with a sanctioning organization
  • Represented an executive in negotiation of Agreement to become Managing Director of a professional soccer league
  • Represented soccer club in indoor/outdoor playing facility lease negotiations
  • Represented various soccer clubs in the drafting of model Coaching Agreements
  • Represented various soccer clubs in their employment hiring and termination matters
  • Represented various soccer clubs in entity formation matters
  • Represented sports training academy in its general corporate matters
  • Represented college soccer coach in separation negotiations with ACC college
  • Represented soccer club in negotiation of Employment Agreement with coach
  • Represented soccer club in the drafting of employee and public facing policies
  • Represented individual investor in professional soccer team
  • Represented soccer club in acquisition of a USL League 2 team
  • Represented college soccer coach in employment matters with Ivy League university
  • Represented sports sponsorship agency in dispute with a lacrosse club
  • Draft model Sponsorship Agreement on behalf of soccer equipment company
  • Advise television network executive in respect to network’s broadcast of Premier League games