Sports Law

The sports industry is big business. Outside the lines, these businesses face the same challenges confronting industries globally – regulatory uncertainties, reputational threats in the courtroom, data privacy worries, new and disruptive technologies and the complexities of largescale financial transactions.

For years we’ve supported major players in this rapidly evolving space. Our cross-practice teams advise some of the most influential sports business leaders in the world, as well as the disruptors reshaping the sports experience.

• When the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for states to decide whether to legalize sports wagering, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and PGA TOUR turned to Orrick. The objective was simple: encourage the passage of legal, safe sports betting legislation to stamp out the illegal sports betting market, while ensuring states build in protections that safeguard the integrity of sports that are at the center of the nation’s cultural identity. Today, sports betting is legal and safe in Illinois, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, and beyond because of Orrick’s work.

• The NCAA relies on our trial lawyers for progressive and emerging legal solutions in courtrooms across the United States. In representing the NCAA in player health and safety matters as national trial counsel, we are fighting for the future of college sports.

• In an ever-evolving industry, our transactional lawyers help sports businesses grow stronger financially. Our M&A team has advised FIA, the world governing body for motor sports, in the acquisition of Formula 1’s parent, and Alltricks in its majority acquisition by Decathalon S.A., one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the world. Our Technology Companies Group advises pioneering Esports companies such as Cloud9 and Play VS in their financing rounds.

• We advise on real estate and public financing for sports venues around the world.

  • Del Mar Racetrack
  • Fukuoka Dome, home of Japanese professional baseball team the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
  • Georgia Dome
  • Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings
  • Honda Center, formerly the Arrowhead Pond
  • Laredo Civic Center, home of the Laredo Bucks
  • Los Angeles Convention and Exhibition Center
  • Matthew Wright Arena, formerly McArthur Court Arena
  • Memorial Stadium at UC Berkeley
  • Oracle Arena, formerly Oakland Coliseum
  • Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres
  • Raley Field, home of the Sacramento Rivercats
  • Rose Bowl
  • SAVEMART Center at Fresno State University
  • Stade Vélodrome de Marseille, home of French soccer club Olympique de Marseille
  • Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Kings
  • Texas A&M University Kyle Field
  • US Bank Stadium, home of the Minnesota Vikings
  • Viejas Arena, formerly Cox Arena at San Diego State University