The Practice of Sports Law

Given the ego of individual players, do you spend considerable time dealing with non-law issues?

It’s not so much about individual players’ egos but rather the level of trust athletes need in order to seek help with certain matters. For example, we handle various business-related issues and educate players and their families about different aspects of business. We also assist in connecting them with service providers for needs ranging from domestic help, like hiring a nanny or chef, to auto brokers and other common services in the sports space. Additionally, we work with many players to help them understand how things operate in professional sports and address unique challenges that public figures face—challenges that athletes and their families may not have experience with due to the distinct nature of the industry. While this does require significant time, it’s beneficial for our business. Every time we refer a professional athlete to a service provider, it builds trust and fosters gratitude from both the player and the provider. This often leads to strong business connections and future referrals back to our firm. It’s also important to remember that most professional athletes' career spans are short. They will spend more time outside the athletic realm than within it. Our goal is to help our athlete clients maximize their time in the spotlight by building solid business connections and making the most of the unique opportunities they have. This way, they can transition to success outside of sports when the time comes. It’s always rewarding to work with clients who were once professional athletes and are now thriving in other areas of their lives, seeing that maturation process pay off significantly.

What percentage of owners have to approve a collective bargaining agreement and the Players association?

The percentage of team owners required to approve a collective bargaining agreement in professional sports leagues typically varies depending on the league’s specific governance rules. For example, a new CBA requires approval by at least three-fourths (75%) of the team owners in the NFL, (24 out of 32 teams). Other leagues have their own voting thresholds: MLB requires 23 out of 30 owners, NBA requires 20 out of 30 owners, NHL requires 21 out of 31 owners, and MLS requires 18 out of 27 owners. On the players’ side, the Players Association typically conducts a vote among its members, and a majority approval (over 50%) is needed to ratify the agreement.