Athlete Advisory

Sklar Kirsh’s Athlete Advisory Group focuses on the specific multi-disciplinary legal and strategic needs of professional athletes and their business teams. Our Corporate practice assists athletes with endorsement and NIL agreements (including deals with equity compensation structures), media and content transactions, representation and management agreements, equity investments, venture and private equity opportunities, joint ventures, business formations, licensing arrangements, and other commercial matters. Within our Real Estate practice, we advise athletes and their families on acquisitions and dispositions of residential and investment properties, leasing arrangements, development projects, and financing transactions. In addition, our Litigation practice provides athletes with practical strategies to prevent and resolve business disputes and other matters and, when necessary, aggressively litigates those matters to judgment. Across all practices, we coordinate with an athlete’s broader advisory team to help clients protect their careers, evaluate opportunities thoughtfully, and build brand value and generational wealth. Beyond our athlete-focused work, our corporate practice also advises brands and businesses on sponsorship arrangements with athletes, sports teams, leagues, and venues. We also serve as corporate counsel to sports leagues and advise on the full spectrum of legal issues arising in connection with venue operations.

Represented Vladmir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays in connection with an investment into a startup streetwear clothing and accessories brand.
Represented to 4-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg and the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim Academy as outside general counsel. The academy, which operates in Southern California focuses on water safety and instruction.
Represented one of the world’s most iconic skateboarders for over a decade as general corporate and licensing counsel.
Represented over 20 professional athletes (in NFL and MLB) in the negotiation of agreements monetizing a percentage of their player contract and endorsement income in exchange for upfront lump-sum payments, including the first of its kind public offering of the securitized assets.
Represented consortium of professional athletes in its investment in a sailing league team.
Represented NFL superstar in the negotiation of an endorsement and investment deal with a consumer goods brand.
Represented NBA superstar in connection with fraud claims brought against a former business manager.
Represented multiple NFL players in securing IRS characterization of certain income as capital gains, resulting in seven-figure tax savings for the clients.
Represented numerous professional athletes in endorsement deals, including deals involving equity grants in exchange for services.
Represented multiple professional athletes in connection with third-party extortion matters.
Represented multiple professional athletes in connection with the formation of businesses and joint ventures.