Chief Legal Officer | New York Jets
Andrew Lee
Chief Legal Officer | New York Jets
Legal team size: Three
Major legal advisers/ external counsel: Foley & Lardner; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe; DLA Piper
What are the projects that you are most proud of working on over the past 12 months?
The process of searching for and hiring the new head coach and general manager (and their respective staffs) for the New York Jets.
Based on your experiences in the past year, are there any trends in the legal or business world that you are keeping an eye on that you think other in-house lawyers should be mindful of?
Those that come to mind are artificial intelligence, which is raising many issues relating to intellectual property, cybersecurity, ethics and other things, as well as data privacy, which is particularly important in the sports business world, especially so with growing international popularity of various sports, because of varying data privacy laws around the world.
What are the key things you prioritise to get the most out of your team?
We emphasise timeliness, creative thinking, quality of work, effective communication, and taking accountability. The legal department needs to manage risk, but in a way that does not create friction to an extent that hinders the ability of the business teams to execute and drive revenue.
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Andy Lee is in his second season as the chief legal officer of the New York Jets, after having previously served as the Club’s general counsel from 2005 to 2010, when he was instrumental in the establishment and development of MetLife Stadium and the Jets’ headquarters and training facility in Florham Park, NJ. In the intervening years, Andy served as a trusted advisor and outside counsel to the organisation. Andy brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organisation. In his role, Andy oversees all legal aspects of the team, including those relating to sponsorships, licensing, facility development, events, digital media, production and broadcasting agreements, employment-related matters, disputes, and compliance. His strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in navigating complex legal landscapes and ensuring the team’s compliance with all regulatory requirements.
With a distinguished career spanning nearly thirty years, Andy has been a pivotal figure in the legal community and a nationally recognised leader in sports, entertainment, media, and technology law. Prior to joining the Jets, he held senior legal positions at prominent sports law firms, served as general counsel to the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee, and ran his own boutique law firm, which consistently was ranked as a National Tier 1 firm by Best Law Firms™. Andy is known across the legal and sports industries for his innovative approach to legal challenges and his ability to drive successful outcomes, whether involving major transactions, high-profile litigation, or crisis management. Andy’s commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of the sports industry have earned him respect and recognition among his peers.
Andy is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree with honours. He is also an active member of various legal associations and frequently speaks at industry conferences on topics related to sports law and corporate governance.
