Patterson Belknap attorneys regularly represent sports teams, associations and related entities in significant business matters critical to their operations.  We have advised on aspects of some of the most high-profile disputes and transactions in sports, including representations involving professional baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis and golf.  Our interdisciplinary team is uniquely qualified to address the diverse array of issues arising in the sports industry, including in the areas of litigation, intellectual property, corporate law, tax-exempt organizations, white collar defense and corporate investigations.  Our work in the field dates back decades and includes matters that helped to shape the business of sports today.

Matters on which Patterson Belknap attorneys have worked include representation of:

Litigation, Disputes and Investigations

A professional sports league commissioner in internal hearings that resulted in the suspension of a prominent team owner and in ensuing litigation brought by the owner against the commissioner.

A professional sports league in an investigation of and issuance of a report concerning allegations made by a member team that a rival team violated the league's anti-tampering rules.

A major sports news network as a defendant where the plaintiff argued that fantasy sports games offered on its website constituted illegal gambling.  The court dismissed the case with prejudice.

A sports association in connection with an indicted athlete’s challenge to his suspension by the association.

The seller of a northeast Major League Baseball franchise in a breach of contract litigation with an investment bank.

A fitness club chain in various litigation matters, including winning dismissal of consumer class actions challenging provisions of clubs' membership agreement and the successful defense of actions alleging copyright infringement and defamation.

A Major League Baseball franchise in litigation with an international insurance conglomerate concerning coverage for injuries suffered by a former pitcher.

A U.S. yacht club in successfully restoring to the United States the America's Cup, the oldest active trophy in international sports.

A major sports news network in antitrust litigation against a NASCAR racetrack owner.

A professional sports league commissioner in an arbitration concerning a player’s lifetime suspension.

A professional sports hall of fame in federal court in a trademark infringement dispute.

The internet enterprise of a professional sports league in a local government investigation of certain consumer practices.

An online fantasy sports company in the successful defense and settlement of a right of publicity and intellectual property infringement action brought by a professional sports players’ association.

A professional sports league in a dispute between a team owner and a local government regarding team relocation and arena contract.

Transactions and Intellectual Property

Various sports-related tax-exempt organizations as special tax counsel in securing tax-exempt bond financing for facilities construction and renovation.

A not-for-profit organization formed to further New York City’s bid to host the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in connection with intellectual property matters.

A professional sports museum in connection with various intellectual property and tax-exempt organization matters, including:

• Drafting and negotiating licensing, publishing, broadcasting, sponsorship, agency, website development and new media rights agreements.
  
  
• Trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution and enforcement.
  
  
• Counseling on issues concerning publicity and privacy rights.
  
  
• Counseling on tax-exempt matters, such as unrelated business income tax issues and charitable solicitations.

A sports museum in its agreement to house and exhibit college football’s Heisman Trophy award.

A fitness club chain in connection with various intellectual property matters, including;

• Drafting and negotiating licensing, broadcasting, sponsorship, agency, website development and new media rights agreements.
  
  
• Trademark and copyright counseling, prosecution and enforcement.
  
  
• Counseling on issues concerning publicity and privacy rights.

A professional sports league’s Retired Players Association in an internal review of certain practices engaged in by its employees.

An investor group as intellectual property counsel in its acquisition of a northeast Major League Baseball franchise, its stadium, and a share of a regional sports network.

An investor group as intellectual property counsel in its proposed acquisition of an east coast Major League Baseball franchise.

A sports sales and marketing organization as intellectual property counsel in its acquisition of a 50% interest in a NASCAR team.

An investor group as intellectual property counsel in its proposed acquisition of a National Hockey League franchise.

An affiliate of an international media conglomerate as intellectual property counsel in its acquisition of an interest in a leading action sports tour.

A Major League Baseball franchise in various licensing and other intellectual property matters.

A major U.S. professional women’s soccer league in its formation and launch.

A leading regional sports network in its broadcasting rights agreement to license professional baseball and basketball games to local television stations.

A high-profile entertainer in the acquisition of a share of a professional basketball team.

A professional basketball team’s foundation in connection with its charitable activities.

A national sports governing association in various agreements with entertainers for a major televised sporting event.

A U.S. financial institution in connection with the issuance of restricted securities upon the consummation of merger and acquisition transactions by an international news, sports and entertainment provider based in Australia.