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| Global growth in the popularity and visibility of sports has created a high-profile, multibillion dollar industry. Such growth has been accompanied by an increase in the complexity and importance of the legal issues facing the industry. Sparks Willson provides a full range of legal services to a diverse client base, including athletes, coaches, executives, national governing bodies of sport, professional sports teams and leagues, sports venues, college conferences, health clubs, nonprofit sports organizations, and sports officials. Our sports group works with other attorneys in the firm as needed for employment law, corporate law, real estate, litigation, intellectual property, and tax and estate planning. |
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Sponsorships
Our attorneys represent sports entities by protecting their intellectual property rights and leveraging such rights to create maximum sponsorship value. Because we have extensive experience with sports sponsorship and licensing agreements, we can help any client negotiate the intricacies of sports sponsorship contracts to maximize benefits and minimize potential pitfalls. |
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Athlete, Coach and Executive Representation
We recognize that each client is unique, with different objectives and goals, and we strive to understand each client in depth. With this understanding, we represent individuals in a wide range of legal issues, including contract negotiations, employment matters, sponsorship and endorsement procurement, NCAA rules infractions and compliance matters, litigation and sports arbitration, tax and estate planning, and charity and nonprofit foundation matters. |
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Employment
Our attorneys work proactively with clients to help them navigate the often-misunderstood world of employment law. We provide training, guidance, negotiation, and litigation services with regard to employment agreements, terminations, discrimination and harassment claims, compensation, employee handbooks, unemployment compensation, trade secret protection, independent contractor agreements, compliance with state and federal laws, and audits. |
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Governance
Our business background provides us with solid experience on the numerous corporate governance issues affecting sports entities and their various constituents. We work to ensure that our clients are structured properly to achieve long term strategic goals that satisfy all stakeholders. In addition to advising clients on the proper structure of a business, our attorneys also counsel executives on sensitive internal matters and investigations. |
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NCAA Compliance
Working within the NCAA Principle of Rules Compliance, our attorneys work closely with clients to avoid violations and minimize sanctions. Our experience enables us to guide NCAA member institutions, conferences, and coaches through the NCAA infractions process in a confidential and timely manner. |
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Tax and Estate Planning
We maintain an extensive and sophisticated tax department that allows our clients to structure contracts to permit maximum tax advantages. In addition, our attorneys offer clients a complete spectrum of estate planning and business succession services. |
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