Course Description
The typical business structure of professional sports is unlike any other industry. From the filing status of the leagues, their relationship with member franchises and associations, antitrust issues, to the many licensing agreements at play, there is much to consider for attorneys interested in practicing in this area.In this program, sports lawyer and former professional umpire, Brandon Leopoldus, will unravel the many complexities surrounding this area of the law, drawing on the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB as examples. Topics covered include:
- Organization of sports leagues under 501(c)(6)
- Collective bargaining issues
- Interplay between leagues and franchises
- Antitrust issues & cases
- Licensing and merchandising issues
- Exclusive sponsorships
- Operation of the game
- Trend of league legal status away from nonprofit
- Takeaways for the sports lawyer
Length: 1hr 1min
Member Reviews
- Stanley B.
Meet the Lecturer(s)
Brandon Leopoldus is a California-based attorney for people and companies in the public eye and in the sports and entertainment space. Mr. Leopoldus’ sports practice has included representing more than three-dozen individuals working in high level, Olympic, and professional sports including Olympians, professional/retired athletes, and sports officials. Some of his highlights have included representing a two-time NFL All-Pro with his off-field endeavors, protecting and enforcing the intellectual property rights of an 8-year NBA veteran, negotiating a purchase of a sports officiating assigning business, developing the structure of a training facility for a Major League Baseball All-Star, and advising numerous top-tier collegiate athletes entering the draft. As a recognized leader in sports law, Mr. Leopoldus is a featured speaker and panelist across the country including video Continuing Legal Education presentations, guest lectures at numerous law schools, and panels at the Sports Lawyers Association’s (SLA) Annual Conference. Mr. Leopoldus is a featured contributor to Referee Magazine and Legal Ink Magazine and has been featured in Sellebrity Magazine and Ready Magazine and has been widely acclaimed for his LinkedIn Video Series focused on sports law topics. In 2014, Mr. Leopoldus was recognized as the SLA’s Regional Captain of the Year, and in 2015 and 2016 he was named the SLA’s Co-Regional Captain of the Year. In recent months, Leopoldus has been engrossed in the laws, regulations, and legal ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic including strategies for clients to succeed in the emerging COVID economy. Mr. Leopoldus is a member of the California Bar Association, the Sports Lawyers Association, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, a Partner in the Sports and Entertainment Society, and has a few additional business interests. Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Leopoldus spent many years in Minor League Baseball as an umpire. Leopoldus enjoys spending time with his friends and family, including his incredibly smart dog, Harvey – named after Hall of Fame umpire Doug Harvey.
