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:
- Investigation of a major university’s soccer program (at university’s request)
- Arbitration respecting a contract dispute between a player and a club
- Advise parents and players as to college soccer recruiting issues
- Conduct negotiations respecting a professional soccer league’s initial Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Advise a leading British club re: acquisition of an American pro franchise
- Advise a leading British club re: youth academy and American market matters
- Advise former financial industry executive seeking to purchase an international club
- Represent player in negotiation of player-agent agreement
- Represent college soccer coach in Separation Agreement matters (ACC university)
- Advise club respecting Board and corporate governance matters
- Advise television network executive in respect to network’s broadcast of Premier League games
- Advise club respecting Board transition and employment-related matters
- Represent college soccer coach in employment and disciplinary matters (Ivy League university)
- Advise prospective non-executive director of British club
- Draft updated version of pro soccer league Standard Player Agreement
- Conduct COVID-19 Return to Play negotiations in professional league
- Draft Return to Play Guidelines in youth league
- Advise on Return to Play Guidelines in state soccer association
- Investigation of a club vs. club ethics complaint (at League’s request)
- Investigation of alleged coach inappropriate social media activity (at club’s request)
- Draft model Coaching Contracts and Employment Agreements on behalf of clubs
- Mediate dispute between owners of a professional club
- Represent club in acquisition of an USL franchise
- Represent clubs in merger/acquisition transactions
- Represent clubs in disputes with other clubs and/or leagues
- Represent clubs in employment and separation matters
- Draft model Sponsorship Agreement on behalf of soccer equipment company
Represented stadium and Boston bid group in securing City of Boston as a World Cup ’94 host site.
Represented leading youth club in Athletic Facility Development Agreement with a college.
Represented American pro club in a complex for-profit/non-profit transaction.
Represented leading youth club in drafting and negotiation of Employment Agreements for key employees.
Represented professional players in contract and endorsement negotiations.
Counseled leading youth club in merger and acquisition transaction.
Advised Barclay’s Premier League club and leading sports sponsorship company in the negotiation and drafting of a Representation and Revenue Sharing Agreement respecting a corporate shirt sponsorship.
Represented leading youth club in lease negotiations securing an indoor facility.
Represented leading youth club in drafting and negotiation of International Partnership Agreement with leading British pro club.
Represented leading youth club in drafting and negotiation of International Partnership Agreement with Serie A club.
Represented American pro club in complex management transaction with leading youth club.
Counseled leading youth club in financing transaction in connection with field development project.
Created alternative Players’ Association concept to help end litigation between Major League Soccer players and owners.
Drafted model Coaches Agreement for leading youth club.
Counseled leading youth club on social media issues.
Represented leading youth club in Strategic Partnership Agreement with other youth club.
Represented leading youth club in negotiation of equipment supply Agreements with manufacturers and suppliers.
Represented leading youth club in Operational and Revenue Sharing Agreement with equipment supplier.
Represented domestic professional club in drafting and negotiation of Strategic Partnership Agreement with leading youth club.
Represented Development Academy club in transaction acquiring a license to operate a Premier Development League franchise.
Represented a leading British professional club in project to acquire a franchise in an American professional league.
Represented an individual investor regarding his equity investment in a domestic professional club.
Represented a Soccer Academy in the negotiation and drafting of a Director of Coaching Agreement with a club.
