JOB DESCRIPTION
Title:Senior Counsel - Pro League
Department Code & Name: 90412 - Legal Pro
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: VP, Legal and Business Affairs
Location: Hybrid – New York, NY, with occasional travel to events and business-related meeting
Job Summary:
The Senior Counsel will provide legal support across the LOVB Pro League, partnering with business and operational teams on commercial partnerships, marketing and intellectual property matters, league operations, and sporting matters. Reporting to the Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs, this role will draft and negotiate a broad range of commercial and operational agreements and provide practical guidance that supports business objectives while appropriately managing risk.
The ideal candidate brings strong commercial judgment, exceptional drafting and negotiation skills, and experience navigating the unique legal considerations of professional sports. Familiarity with privacy and data security laws and regulations is a plus.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Commercial Contracts & Business Operations:
- Structure, draft and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including sponsorships, facility and venue agreements, procurement contracts, marketing and promotional agreements, ticketing agreements, technology licenses and service agreements.
- Counsel internal teams regarding contractual rights, obligations, interpretations, and potential risks.
- Partner with business and operations teams to provide practical, commercially minded legal guidance and support transactions and/or events through completion.
- Manage and coordinate with outside counsel when specialized expertise or additional support is required.
Marketing, Intellectual Property & Consumer Matters:
- Advise internal business and creative teams on advertising, marketing, and other consumer facing initiatives and materials, including sweepstakes, contests and giveaways, privacy/publicity/IP disclosures, data collection/processing/usage rules, and pre-publication review of promotional and creative materials.
- Support the protection and appropriate use of league, team, athlete, partner, and third-party intellectual property.
League Operations:
- Oversee legal aspects of data privacy and security initiatives.
- Review, draft, negotiate and interpret a wide range of technology agreements.
- Assist in developing, refining and interpreting league-wide policies, guidelines, templates, and other documents that promote consistency across teams.
- Navigate league requirements, approval processes, and governance structures to counsel internal teams regarding rights, obligations and risks.
- Support general corporate matters, special projects, and emerging legal or business priorities as needed.
Sporting:
- Draft, review, and negotiate athlete, coach, and other sporting staff agreements as requested
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Strong commercial contract drafting and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of legal issues relevant to professional sports teams and leagues.
- Strong business judgment and ability to balance legal risk with organizational objectives.
- Familiarity with privacy and data security laws and regulations preferred.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Proactive, responsive, collaborative, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
Education and Experience:
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school required.
- Active and in-good-standing license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required; New York licensure preferred.
- 5+ years of relevant legal experience; experience at a national law firm preferred.
- Legal experience working for, or on behalf of, a professional sports team or league required.
Personal Attributes:
- Commercially minded and responsive to internal clients.
- Proactive in seeking information and committed to deal follow-through.
- Solutions-oriented with strong judgment and discretion.
- Adaptable and comfortable working in a growing organization with evolving priorities.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements (Hybrid):
- Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment and communicate through in-person, video, phone, and written channels.
- Ability to operate a computer and utilize standard business and legal technology.
- Periodic travel required for league events, meetings, and other business-related activities.
- Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required based on business and event needs
