Foster Garvey’s Sports, Arts & Entertainment attorneys help clients navigate the complex business and legal environment in which they operate, build brands, and shape careers and businesses for lasting success.

We regularly assist our Sports, Arts & Entertainment clients as they confront the unique issues that affect these industries. We advise them on intellectual property, corporate, labor and employment, immigration, commercial, real estate, trusts and estates, regulatory and tax matters, and other matters related to launching a business and growing a brand.

With offices on both coasts and industry contacts worldwide, we are ideally situated to serve our clients’ needs, including in the following areas:

Film and Television
Foster Garvey advises a variety of clients involved in the development, production and distribution of motion pictures and television programming. Our attorneys work with actors, screenwriters, producers, directors, studios, networks and other content distributors to negotiate the wide range of industry agreements, above-the-line and below-the-line talent and crew agreements, sales and distribution arrangements, option agreements, union and guild matters, life story rights deals and rights clearances. We also help financiers and investors evaluate and navigate the inherent risks associated with these industries.

Music
We represent new artists as well as Grammy Award-winning recording artists, songwriters, performers, DJs, producers and mixers, as well as independent record labels and music publishers, artist managers, business managers, talent agents and other music industry executives. Examples of our music services include recording and distribution agreements, songwriting and publishing agreements, producer and mixer agreements, catalog sales and acquisitions, copyright registrations and financings, sampling, mechanical and other license agreements, master use and synchronization licenses, public performance licenses, touring and live event agreements, merchandising agreements and endorsement agreements.

Literary and Media
We assist new and established authors, journalists, writers, illustrators, animators, podcasters, broadcasters, investors, bloggers and app developers in the traditional and digital media spaces, including production companies, magazine publishers, video game companies, content developers and in various media platforms Our representation and advocacy on behalf of our literary and media clients include negotiation of literary agent representation agreements, print and digital publishing agreements (including self-publishing agreements), on-air talent agreements, rights clearances and content licenses

Arts
We represent both Broadway and off-Broadway actors, culinary professionals, dancers, photographers and designers, including fashion designers, interior designers, and furniture and houseware artisans. Our group’s broad range of experience allows us to handle all of our arts clients’ needs, including business formation, website terms of use and privacy policies, trademark and copyright registrations and negotiating and preparing an array of agreements including talent, merchandising, manufacturing, distribution, license, collaboration and employment and consulting agreements.

Sports Athletes, Organizations and Other Sports Industry Players
With substantial experience representing prominent professional athletes, sports teams, team owners, coaches, broadcasters, agents, managers, content creators and corporate sponsors, Foster Garvey provides comprehensive legal support across the sports industry. Our attorneys excel in transactional and litigation matters, safeguarding the interests of our clients in personal, professional and business endeavors.

We provide guidance in negotiating industry contracts such as brand endorsement and influencer agreements, sports marketing agreements, player and coaching contracts, exhibition and tournament agreements, personal appearance releases, management contracts, agent representation agreements, media rights and syndication agreements, sports venue naming rights and sponsorships and other services contracts, and releases. We also are well-versed in advising student-athletes on their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, empowering them to make informed decisions about their personal brand and commercial opportunities.

Our track record speaks for itself. We have represented professional athletes in tournament and exhibition agreements, negotiated endorsement and sports marketing agreements with iconic, industry-leading brands like Nike, Apple, Speedo, JPMorgan Chase, Kohl’s, Ulta, HSN, Anheuser-Busch, Lincoln, Fiat, Nissan, Subway, Remy Martin, Jamba Juice, Wilson, Audemars Piguet, Gucci, Stuart Weitzman, Puma, Reebok, Fila, DirecTV, Tonal, Amazon, Pampers, Tide, Secret and Gatorade. Additionally, we advise our clients on matters involving publicity and brand management to help them develop, protect and monetize their intellectual property through trademark registration, licensing and other branding strategies.

Emerging Sports
As the sports industry evolves, Foster Garvey’s Sports, Arts & Entertainment practice group stays ahead of the curve to provide legal services to clients in emerging sports such as professional pickleball, rugby and gaming/e-sports. Our attorneys can help navigate the legal complexities of new regulations and policies related to emerging sports leagues.

In addition, our attorneys provide legal guidance on emerging trends and technologies, enabling our clients to deploy innovative strategies so they can deliver cutting edge fan engagement through social media, streaming and virtual reality.

Sports Facility Development
Our firm is involved in nearly every phase of stadium and arena project development (at the collegiate, minor league and major league levels), including land use, planning, zoning, environmental remediation, transportation and utilities matters, site selection, financing, construction, and operation. We have drafted important legislation for professional sports facilities and defended it through appeals up to the United States Supreme Court. Our experience includes representing:

• • Developers and team owners of major and minor league professional and college sports facilities
  • Lenders in financing major and minor league sports facilities
  • Public bodies in financing major and minor league sports facilities

We are also experienced in negotiating and drafting luxury suite and preferred-seat licenses; concession and merchandise vendor arrangements and working on sponsorship, signage and intellectual property rights matters.

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