DLA Piper LLP (US)'s media sport and entertainment group centers its advertising practice around representing sports teams, consumer brands, film studios, TV networks, streaming platforms and retailers in marketing, advertising and promotion matters. Structuring and negotiating media planning and buying agreements, structuring global sponsorship agreements across a wide number of professional sports in the US as well as endorsement agreements are all key pillars of the practice. Practice head Benjamin Ryan Mulcahy sits in Los Angeles and excels in representing clients in global sports sponsorship deals. The team was bolstered by the arrival of New York-based Stacy Marcus and Michael Isselin from Reed Smith LLP in June 2024. Marcus and Isselin are both knowledgeable on celebrity endorsements, influencer and talent agreements. James Stewart advises on a mix of celebrity endorsements, student athlete and influencer contracts and sponsorship agreements from Washington DC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Amazon
- The Joint Policy Committee, LLC
- Qualcomm Incorporated
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
- United Entertainment Group
- Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc.
- Maximum Effort Marketing (Mountain Digital)
- Los Angeles Football Club
- Paycor, Inc.
- Twitch Interactive, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented Amazon Prime Video in negotiating a landmark $21bn global media rights deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA).
- Assisted the Joint Policy Committee LLC as Chief Negotiator and Legal Council with a range of issues related to contracts, AI and claims.
- Represented Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and its Snapdragon business unit in its front-of-shirt sponsorship agreement with Manchester United Football Club.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Stacy Marcus
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Michael Isselin
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
Benjamin Ryan Mulcahy
Other key lawyers
Stacey Marcus; Michael Isselin; James Stewart