Sports Law
USA Guide 2024 : USA - Nationwide
Band 1
About
Provided by Winston & Strawn LLP
Winston is one of the industry’s premier sports law practices, with a client roster reading as a who’s-who list of major U.S. players associations, sports franchises and leagues, professional and amateur athletes, financial services firms with sports-industry clients, intellectual property licensees/licensors, media companies, sports agencies and agents, governmental entities, coaches, teams, sponsors, and gaming and esports companies and leagues.
Of special note, Winston has a strong track record in taking up the fight alongside professional athletes in connection with equal rights issues in sports, from securing an historic settlement and an agreement to provide equal pay for the USWNT, to representing Nigerian Olympic Bobsledder Simidele Adeagbo in her gender equality fight, and prevailing in a landmark decision for Cal Calamia, a nonbinary amateur marathon runner, in securing their approval from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for a therapeutic use exemption in connection with Cal’s use of testosterone in their gender transition.
Our sports transactions team further elevates Winston in this space, representing financing parties and sponsors at every phase of development and financing, and handles transactions involving all types of sports and entertainment venues. They draw on deep market knowledge and ability to structure innovative transactions addressing each party’s concerns.
Chambers Review
Winston & Strawn is a highly regarded litigation practice also relied upon by big-name clients for ongoing corporate advisory services. Routinely represents premier athletes and players' associations in arbitrations, antitrust cases and personal conduct disputes. Experienced in representing media companies, government entities and sponsors. Also offers high-end advice on non-contentious matters, including employment and marketing agreements. Has capacity to handle major equal employment opportunity and discrimination matters.
Work Highlights
- Winston & Strawn represented North American Soccer League in an antitrust lawsuit against USSF and MLS in New York's Eastern District, arising from allegations of exclusionary practices violating federal antitrust laws.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Winston's sports law group is one of the best in the business."
"The team provides outstanding service and response time."
"Winston's sports law group is one of the best in the business."
"The team provides outstanding service and response time."
Notable Practitioners
Jeffrey Kessler is regarded as one of the foremost trial lawyers in the sports space, bringing outstanding expertise to labor and antitrust disputes.
"Jeff is an incredible lawyer."
"He's one of the leading lawyers in this space."
David Greenspan focuses his sports law practice primarily on contentious mandates. He is particularly well equipped to represent college athletes and leagues in antitrust litigation.
"David is a very strong litigator."
David Feher is the cochair of the firm's sports law practice. He demonstrates notable strength advising on class actions arising from antitrust claims and employment issues. He also possesses additional expertise handling eligibility disputes.
Jeanifer Parsigian routinely represents teams and players in complex antitrust matters. She is held in high regard for her strength in representing clients in class action suits.
"Jennifer is an awesome lawyer."
Jonathan Amoona is a skilled litigator with considerable experience of handling contract disputes, disciplinary actions and antitrust cases.
"Jonathan is an experienced and talented litigator."
"A fantastic well-rounded sports attorney."
Ranked Lawyers at
Winston & Strawn LLP
USA - Nationwide
Members
Provided by Winston & Strawn LLP
Adam Dale
Alan Hoffman
Head of Department
Head of Department
Jason Goldstein
Jason Hellwig
Jeanifer Parsigian
Jonathan Amoona
Sofia Arguello
Clients
Provided by Winston & Strawn LLP
Cangrejeros Baseball Club, LLC
Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA)
National Basketball Players Association (NBPA)
North American Soccer League (NASL)
Relevent Sports, LLC
Super Slam Ltd. (Madrid Open)
United States Women's National Soccer Team
WME/IMG
Industries
Provided by Winston & Strawn LLP
Sports