Sports Law is one of the fastest-growing segments in the legal field today. The popularity of collegiate and professional sports has created a need among conferences, universities, teams and individuals for expert legal counsel in areas such as governance, media relations, licensing, compliance, contract negotiations, litigation and organizational and personal tax and succession planning.
With our proven track record and commitment to the provision of responsive, cost-effective legal services, Walter & Haverfield’s attorneys are extremely well-positioned to handle the many needs of those organizations, institutions and individuals involved in the sports industry. Our services include:
- Media contract negotiation for conferences and universities
- License agreements
- Consultation with collegiate athletic conferences and Bowl game organizations, including the negotiation and drafting of team participation contracts
- Bowl-related media contract representation and contractual commitment with participant conferences
- Collegiate athletic conference governance matters, including the drafting and revision of by-laws and constitutions
- General conference organizational planning, including membership admission and withdrawal, conference compliance and organization of conference operations
- Personal representation of NCAA and NFL assistant football coaches and their families in areas including succession planning, retirement plan consultation, tax planning, employment contract assistance and general legal assistance
- NCAA compliance representation
- Arena and venue contract negotiation and preparation
In the past decade, Walter & Haverfield has built a growing reputation in the sports industry of expertise, commitment and dedication to its clients. In its capacity as General Counsel to a NCAA Division I conference, it has provided its services to the conference governing body, Commissioner and constituent members in all aspects of conference operations. The firm’s work has also included services for several NCAA-sanctioned Bowl games. Currently, the firm serves as counsel in sports-related litigation pending in Federal Court.
Drawing upon its seventy-seven years of experience in virtually all areas of the law; expert legal personnel with extensive backgrounds both within and serving the sports industry; and its continuing commitment to the provision of excellence in legal representation; the Sports Law Group of Walter & Haverfield serves the interests of its sports industry clientele with efficiency, excellence and successful results.
Recent NewsSeptember 2011In an article in Crain’s Cleveland Business by reporter Joel Hammond, Rick Chryst offered his observations on the potential impact of NCAA conference realignment upon the Mid-American Conference. September 2011In an article printed in Crain’s Cleveland Business, Rick Chryst discussed the flaws in a 2005 NCAA attendance mandate, which could have an effect on the Division I-A status of four Mid-American Conference (MAC) football programs. May 2011In a blog entry posted by Crain's Cleveland Business reporter Joel Hammond on May 31, 2011, titled "Now that Tressel is gone, a best guess as to what Ohio State's penalties will look like," Rick Chryst offered his views regarding potential penalties for Ohio State's athletic department in the wake of the resignation of Coach Jim Tressel. March 2011In a blog entry posted by Crain's sports reporter Joel Hammond on March 11, 2011, titled "Catching up on hot topics in sports law," Rick Chryst commented upon the current NFL labor negotiations, the Ohio State/Jim Tressel situation, and a lawsuit filed against the NCAA and video game creator EA Sports. November 2010In an article written by reporter Joel Hammond and published in Crain's Cleveland Business on November 1, 2010, titled "NFL 'more stable' than NBA," Rick Chryst discussed the prospect of work stoppages in the NFL and the NBA in 2011, as both leagues seek to renegotiate collective bargaining agreements with their players' unions. October 2010Rick Chryst addressed the Ohio Attorney General's recent announcement that sports agents may face punishment for improper contact with collegiate athletes in an item titled, "Agents on notice," written by sports reporter Doug Lesmerises in his column, "Ohio State Football Insider," published in the October 6, 2010 issue of The Plain Dealer. June 2010In an article posted on rivals.com on June 11, 2010, Notre Dame alumnus Rick Chryst discussed the topic of intercollegiate athletic conference expansion and realignment with Senior Editor Tim Prister of IrishIllustrated.com. June 2010In an interview on WKNR-850 AM radio, the ESPN affiliate in Cleveland, Rick Chryst discussed the rapidly-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, as several major conferences consider the possibility of expansion and re-alignment. |
