Every aspect of society is governed by a set of rules and sport is no exception. Sports have their laws, as well as governing bodies to make, modify and enforce those laws. Sports law is very broad. It does not regulate the sport itself, but aspects such as torts, contract law, labor and employment law, player-agent relationship, image rights, privacy, etc. Generally, all professional sports fall under sports law in the United States, including the amateur sports industry.
What Is a Sports Lawyer?
A sports lawyer is a legal professional versed in the contents and workings of sports law. Since sports law is a combination of different fields of law applied to the context of sports, sports lawyers are usually well-trained in the corresponding fields of law. But their training is usually specialized in how these aspects appear in sports. Sports lawyers represent teams, leagues, media companies, organizations, professional athletes, coaches, and agencies.
What Does a Sports Attorney Do?
It is important to know what services a sports attorney offers. Some of these services include:
- Counsel: A sports law attorney offers counsel to clients regarding the nuances of sports law. The attorney can offer legal advice about contractual and legal issues to athletes, agents or other stakeholders in the sports law space. The lawyer keeps these stakeholders informed of the legal implications of their agreements, as well as steps to seek redress.
- Draftsmanship: With an extensive knowledge of legal intricacies, a sports lawyer can offer excellent draftsmanship in creating legal documents. These include contracts and application of court processes. The lawyer ensures the documents are free of mistakes and the terms are not open to any legal loopholes.
- Representation: Sports law attorneys may also represent any sports law stakeholders before a competent court of jurisdiction, in the media, or before a tribunal. While self-representation is possible for most tribunals and press conferences, it is usually safer to have a sports lawyer do it.
- Negotiation: This involves deliberating on contracts, deals, and agreements. Sports lawyers can help their clients negotiate the best agreements for them, thus protecting them from being bound by unintended contracts. These may include trademark and image agreements, employment contracts, etc.
- Franchising: Sports lawyers are experts at franchising players, teams, leagues, etc. They can help manage the creation of licensees and subsidiaries, such as charity organizations and sister teams while navigating the legal implications and balancing the books.
When to Hire a Sports Lawyer
With the vast array of services, a sports lawyer offers, when exactly is it necessary to procure the services of one? Depending on what services you expect of a lawyer, there are different points at which you could hire. These include:
- When you want to sign contracts. Contracts are a big deal in the sports law space. It is a good move to secure the services of a sports law professional to offer legal counsel to ensure the contracts are understood and don’t include any unintended agreements.
- When you need representation. This is another time when you could procure the services of a sports law attorney. In the event of contractual disputes, pay and compensation defaulting or other civil and criminal lawsuits, a sports lawyer offers the best representation in litigation, arbitration and other disputes. Their representation may also include other activities such as media duties.
- When you need legal counsel. Sports attorney’s can help with understanding existing agreements, rights, trademarks, etc. They can also provide guidance in the event of existing charges or grievances, both civil and criminal.
How Do I Choose a Sports Attorney?
In choosing a sports law attorney, you must realize that sports law matters are very delicate and consequential. You’ll want to hire the most skilled, brilliant, and experienced sports lawyer on offer.
Start with an online search to find sports lawyers near you or ask for recommendations. Assess their profiles, look up previous cases, check client reviews, and visit law firms of sports attorneys near you. This research will help you ensure that the lawyer specializes in and has the skills you need for the services you are looking to procure. Having assessed multiple candidates, you can then choose the best sports lawyer near you to handle your case.
How Much Does the Sports Lawyer Cost on Average?
Sports lawyers usually charge by the hour. On average, they charge between $250 and $400 per hour. The costs may vary based on the city where they practice law, their experience level, their pedigree, etc. Sports law attorneys may also choose a different rate approach, such as charging flat fees, commission-based payments, retainer fees, and others. Payment will depend on the kind of services you want to secure and for how long you want to do so.
Do Sports Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?
As with most lawyers, consultations with sports lawyers will incur charges. These are usually hourly charges but may differ based on the lawyer’s policy. Contact the lawyer for sports near you to get an idea of their pricing ahead of time.
