Atlanta Sports Law Attorneys
The world of collegiate and professional sports is exciting. Athletes use their skills to please crowds and compete against others, as well as gain attention for things like lucrative sponsorships. But it’s important that, when athletes play a game where they risk serious and life-changing injuries, their rights to safety and compensation are protected.
The Atlanta sports law attorneys at DuBose Miller offer the insight and experience players, managers, owners, and corporate sponsors need to fairly and legally negotiate contracts and handle disputes. If you need assistance with a sports law matter, contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Who Can Benefit from Using a Sports Attorney?
When most people think of a sports attorney, their mind immediately goes to “Jerry Maguire.” While a fictional story, the main character in the movie gives a fair, if somewhat dramatic, depiction of how a sports lawyer works to manage their client’s interests on and off the field. In short, a sports lawyer is the athlete’s representative to team owners, sponsors, and other managers.
There’s a common misconception that sports law firms only work with athletes. This is a specialized field of practice that can benefit anyone involved in the business of sports:
College Athletes
Most universities and colleges in this country are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This is an organization that has established rules and regulations that all athletes must follow.
If an athlete is accused of breaking a rule, their career could be in jeopardy. An NCAA attorney can represent the athlete’s interests, either proving that no rules were broken or arguing for a reduced penalty.
Professional Athletes
Professional athletes are equal parts athletes and public figures. The status they enjoy demands skilled legal assistance in the areas of contract negotiation, endorsements, and conflict resolution.
An athlete’s sports attorney should make sure that, when an athlete is in the news, it’s for the right reasons. And, if something does go wrong, they can have peace of mind knowing there is a trusted attorney on their side who can step into the fray.
Sports Teams
A seasoned sports attorney can help current team owners negotiate with athletes and investigate the sale of a team. Prospective team owners will also require assistance purchasing a franchise, whether as a percentage or full owner.
Sports Coaches and Executives
The sports industry is complicated. People who work in this industry, whether it be coaches, executives, or commentators, will benefit from knowledgeable legal representation. A sports lawyer help with sports and compensation agreements, union or league agreements, appearance agreements, and much more.
Corporate Sponsors
Corporate sponsors may not be sure where to start when approaching professional athletes for endorsement deals. Having a savvy sports attorney on the team can be a tremendous benefit to a company that wishes to enhance its brand visibility by negotiating endorsement agreements with the right pro athletes.
Areas of Sports Law Our Firm Practices
DuBose Miller provides hands-on, energetic counsel in a variety of sports law matters. Some of the types of situations our firm handles include:
Salaries and Contracts
From our Atlanta office, we represent and assist clients with salary and contract negotiation for a variety of sports: football, baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, skiing, tennis, soccer, auto racing, MMA, and other sports.
Whether a client has just been drafted or is a free agent exploring their options, we understand how vital a strong contract is to an athlete’s career. Our firm’s sports law attorneys have extensive experience in contract law. We understand how to protect the rights and interests of our clients, offering trusted and accessible guidance throughout the process.
Endorsement Agreements
In addition to salary and benefits, endorsements can be one of the most lucrative aspects of a professional sports career. Our sports law attorneys are involved in negotiating sponsorship and endorsement agreements on behalf of athletes and corporations.
We advise professional athletes on the financial as well as image implications of various endorsements. Our firm is available to advise corporate sponsors for long-term deals or agreements associated with events like championships. We also help teams and corporations negotiate and memorialize stadium naming deals and other related agreements.
Team Selection Issues
Whether an athlete has a dispute with a governing body, or an organization needs to defend its choice, our law firm can help. We represent the interests of athletes in team selection disputes, whether it is for a national competition or something that will take place on the world stage. Our law firm can also defend the interests of athletes or organizations when team selections are challenged publicly.
Defamation and Privacy Cases
Athletes are public figures, meaning their private lives are put on public display frequently. Fortunately, there are limits to what people can say and publish about public figures. If an untrue story is published about one of our clients or even something that has malicious intent, we will sue for defamation of character. There are also privacy laws that protect public figures to some extent, and our law firm is well-versed in using these laws to our client’s benefit.
Unauthorized Use of Name and Likeness
As a professional athlete or sports team, your name and image are key elements to your success. If someone uses your name or likeness without authorization, our law firm can step in to make them stop that activity and compensate you for any damages. Our law firm is actively involved in identifying, defending, maximizing, protecting, and enforcing our client’s intellectual property rights. We handle copyrights, trademarks, domain names, and related licensing and litigation.
Speak With a Qualified Atlanta Sports Law Firm
Finding an attorney to deal with a sports-related issue isn’t difficult. But you need to make sure you are choosing the right one. Many sports law matters deal with high stakes and complex legal issues.
At DuBose Miller, we are as committed to providing top-notch legal representation as our sports law clients are to their performance. Our firm is based in Atlanta, but we make ourselves available to clients nationwide. Call our office at (404) 720-8111 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.