Sports law is a growing body of law that requires unique knowledge and understanding of the sports community. With an inside view of the sports world, our attorneys have the perspective and knowledge to help clients identify and respond to emerging trends in the industry. The Firm has attorneys with proven experience in sports-related disputes and negotiations. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to represent professional and amateur sports organizations, entities, administrators, and athletes in a variety of transactions and legal disputes, including, commercial litigation; contractual disputes; licensing, media, and sponsorship agreements; real estate acquisition and leases; preparation of policies and procedures; labor and employment issues; and many others. Professional and amateur sports organizations, schools districts, institutions of higher learning, sports related businesses, media personalities, coaches, and athletes cannot afford to be without knowledgeable and effective legal counsel.
NCAA Compliance and Infractions
NCAA member institutions, coaches, administrators, and student-athletes need effective and zealous representation when faced with potential infractions and investigations conducted by regulatory bodies. The Firm combines extensive litigation experience with the on-campus knowledge of NCAA compliance. The Firm will provide its extensive investigative experience to determine all of the facts and evidence that comprise each individual case and will work cooperatively with NCAA and conference representatives while advocating for the rights of the institution, administrators, coaches, and student-athletes. If an alleged violation is not supported, the Firm will develop focused and persuasive arguments on behalf of its client through pinpointed evidence, zealous oral advocacy, and multimedia presentations. When an alleged violation is proven, Barlow Garsek & Simon’s team will help the institution to mitigate the consequences and identify ways to enhance its rules education and monitoring programs to ensure violations will not reoccur.
Barlow, LLP has developed the “Champion” program to help institutions adequately monitor athletics programs and maintain the integrity of the institution. The “Champion” program provides direction for institutions to establish compliance guidelines in an effort to remain free of NCAA infractions and penalties. The “Champion” program includes:
- Complete Department Involvement
- Have Documentation
- Adhere to University, Conference, and NCAA Rules
- Maintain Checks and Balances
- Policies and Procedures
- Institutional Control
- Ongoing and Comprehensive Education
- Never Forget to Ask
When the NCAA enforcement staff calls, the Firm provides the legal assistance and investigative skills necessary to guide institutions, coaches, administrators, and student-athletes through the difficult process. No investigation is too big or too small.
Amateur Sports
Amateur sports are growing rapidly, and media outlets are increasingly focused on amateur sporting events. Barlow, LLP is uniquely qualified to counsel school districts, financial institutions, athletes, amateur sports organizations, event organizers, and governing bodies in a variety of areas including radio and television agreements; facilities agreements; licensing, media, and sponsorship agreements; contractual issues; and publicity surrounding amateur sporting events.
Representation of Coaches
A coach’s success is of vital importance to Barlow, LLP. The Firm offers creative advice and counsel to help coaches succeed personally and professionally. Our team provides business and legal solutions to coaches on a wide array of issues including contract negotiation and employment matters, career management, NCAA compliance, marketing and endorsement opportunities, and swift legal strategy in times of crisis and scandal. Our goal is to help each coach maximize financial opportunities, locate the best professional fit, and manage their career effectively.
Labor Unions and Trade Associations
The Firm actively represents labor organizations and trade associations in negotiations and disputes with employers and professional bodies. Barlow, LLP has been deeply involved in collective bargaining negotiations and represents unions, trade associations, and members in disputes and grievances with employers. The Firm also advises on matters including barter agreements, sponsorship agreements, entity creation and filing, non-profit status, tax issues, and more.
Professional Athletes and Athlete Representatives
Professional athletes face numerous demands on their time and resources. Barlow, LLP counsels professional athletes on matters such as pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, career counseling, right of publicity issues, ICANN disputes, sponsorship agreements, and estate planning including wills and trusts. The Firm advises athletes and their representatives on major business decisions and represents them in litigation before various tribunals including state and federal courts and arbitration panels, involving salary arbitration, grievances, and appeals from governing bodies’ decisions.
Athletics Business Matters, Bargaining, and Litigation
Over the past twenty years, athletics agreements have evolved from handshake deals to heavily negotiated contracts, and litigation has increased substantially. Barlow, LLP provides counsel to major professional sports franchises, public and private institutions, sports unions, amateur sports organizations, athletes, and other athletic entities in a wide range of disputes and business matters. Services include negotiation and preparation of employment agreements for coaches and administrators; radio and television agreements; licensing, media, and sponsorship agreements; drug testing policies; bowl game and championship event agreements; facilities agreements; collective bargaining; intellectual property protection; antitrust disputes; litigation and dispute resolution; economic development initiatives; and real property transactions.
Apparel, Equipment, and Athletic Service Businesses
Professional sports organizations and the NCAA heavily regulate the use of athletic apparel, equipment, and services in professional and intercollegiate athletics. Athletic apparel, equipment, and service companies seeking to offer their products to professional sports franchises and NCAA member institutions require counsel knowledgeable in professional and NCAA rules and governance. Barlow, LLP assists these companies by explaining sanctioning processes, determining required technical specifications pursuant to organization rules, and making product presentations to appropriate committees.