Vinson & Elkins LLP often represents sports leagues in putative class actions arising from misconduct or criminal investigations, but also counts sports franchises, and media companies as key clients. The group boasts a strong bench for IP related matters, as Hilary Preston in Austin heads up the team with an established offering in the IP space, such as patents relating to digital media used by various sports leagues. Additionally, New York's Michael Kurzer specializes in tech transactions and intellectual property, and is therefore key for the group’s work on licensing agreements and licensing activity in the sports industry.
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Key clients

  • Banner Seventeen, LLC
  • Brooklyn Events Center, LLC
  • Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment LLC
  • Cavaliers Operating Company, LLC
  • Chicago Professional Sports Corporation
  • Detroit Pistons Basketball Company
  • Hornets Basketball Holdings, LLC
  • Houston Astros, LLC
  • Memphis Basketball, LLC
  • Milwaukee Bucks, LLC

Lawyers

Practice head

Hilary Preston

Other key lawyers

Zachary Terwilliger; Michael Kurzer