With capabilities spanning the full spectrum of sports matters, Latham & Watkins acts for a wide range of industry stakeholders, including leagues, teams, and financial institutions. The team is an established port of call for both transactional and contentious mandates, spanning league governance, strategic investments, and media rights agreements. Based in California, the firm has a strong book of work acting on antitrust litigation, exemplified through its representation of the ACC in class actions challenging NCAA rules on student-athlete benefits and compensation. Practice head Adam J. Sullins’ portfolio of work covers team ownership transactions and media rights deals. Kendall Johnson handles a diverse client base of rights holders and financial institutions, while Christopher Yates oversees matters related to tennis, motorsports, and soccer. The practice also benefits from the broad expertise of Sam Lehman, who has extensive experience handling M&A transactions and IP licensing agreements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They have been an absolutely tremendous partner to us. They have been able to adapt their representation to any situation we may throw at them from internal HR support to media rights deals.’
‘They have always made themselves available to support us in what we need.'
Key clients
- NASCAR Holdings, LLC
- FUBOTV INC.
- Pac-12 Conference
- The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
- United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer)
- Silver Lake
- Endeavor Operating Company (Endeavor)
- TKO Operating Company, LLC (TKO)
- Caliplay Interactive Inc. (Caliente TV)
- Original Interactive Partners LLC (Hard Rock Bet)
- Goldman Sachs
- Teton Ridge Holdings, LLC
Work highlights
Represented Fubo in their business combination with Disney’s Hulu + Live TV to create the second-largest virtual pay-TV provider in the U.S.
Secured a decisive victory for U.S. Soccer Federation in a high-profile antitrust action filed in the Eastern District of New York.
Represented the Pac-12 Conference in connection with its expansion process and membership agreement, as well as its new primary long-term media agreements with CBS Sports, Versant, and The CW Network.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Adam J. Sullins
Other key lawyers
Kendall Johnson; Christopher Yates; Sam Lehman