Overview
This role provides legal support for the Pro League, partnering with business and operational teams on commercial partnerships, marketing and intellectual property matters, league operations, and sporting matters. Reporting to the Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, the Senior Counsel drafts and negotiates a broad range of commercial and operational agreements while offering practical guidance to support business objectives and manage risk.
Responsibilities
Commercial Contracts & Business Operations
- Structure, draft, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including sponsorships, facility and venue agreements, procurement contracts, marketing and promotional agreements, ticketing agreements, technology licenses, and service agreements.
- Counsel internal teams on contractual rights, obligations, interpretations, and potential risks.
- Partner with business and operations teams to provide practical, commercially minded legal guidance through transactions and/or events to completion.
- Manage and coordinate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or additional support is required.
Marketing, Intellectual Property & Consumer Matters
- Advise internal business and creative teams on advertising, marketing, and consumer-facing initiatives and materials, including sweepstakes, contests, and giveaways; privacy/publicity/IP disclosures; data collection/processing/usage rules; and pre-publication review of promotional and creative materials.
- Support the protection and appropriate use of league, team, athlete, partner, and third-party intellectual property.
League Operations
- Oversee legal aspects of data privacy and security initiatives.
- Review, draft, negotiate, and interpret technology agreements.
- Assist in developing, refining, and interpreting league-wide policies, guidelines, templates, and other documents to promote consistency across teams.
- Navigate league requirements, approval processes, and governance structures; counsel internal teams regarding rights, obligations, and risks.
- Support general corporate matters, special projects, and emerging legal or business priorities as needed.
Sporting
- Draft, review, and negotiate athlete, coach, and other sporting staff agreements as requested.
Requirements
- Strong commercial contract drafting and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of legal issues relevant to professional sports teams and leagues.
- Strong business judgment and ability to balance legal risk with organizational objectives.
- Familiarity with privacy and data security laws and regulations (preferred).
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proactive, responsive, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Education & Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school required.
- Active and in-good-standing license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required; New York licensure preferred.
- 5+ years of relevant legal experience; experience at a national law firm preferred.
- Legal experience working for, or on behalf of, a professional sports team or league required.
Compensation & Benefits
- Pay Range: 160,000 - 170,000 USD per year
Location
- Remote – New York City metro preferred but not required.
- Occasional travel to events and business-related meetings.
- Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required based on business and event needs.
- Hybrid work environment; communicate through in-person, video, phone, and written channels.