Cooley LLP handles a myriad of sports mandates spanning corporate, IP, and real estate issues. Leveraging their transactional and contentious expertise, the practice is sought after by a broad range of leagues, investors, and athletes. Leadership responsibilities are divided between Boston-based Michael Sheetz, an experienced antitrust litigator; David Young, who operates out of California and has an established practice supporting sports tech companies; and Adam Chase ,based in Washington DC, who routinely prepares and negotiates sponsorship and licensing agreements. Fellow Washington DC-based attorney Dennis Craig leads the firm’s transactional offering, receiving frequent instructions by venture capital and private equity funds.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- The Boston Celtics and the Grousbeck family
- SeatGeek, Inc.
- The Pac-12 Conference
- Big League Advantage
- Poppi
- PrizePicks
- Redacted RnD
- Modo.us
Work highlights
Advised the Boston Celtics and majority stakeholders Boston Basketball Partners on their agreement to sell a controlling interest in the team to an investor group led by William Chisholm at an initial valuation of $6.1 billion.
Defending the Pac-12 Conference in multiple antitrust class actions challenging restrictions on student-athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness rights.
Represents SeatGeek in putative class actions in New York and Nevada alleging violations of state laws governing ticket price and fee disclosures.
Practice head
Michael Sheetz; David Young; Adam Chase
Other key lawyers
Dennis Craig