One of the most common misconceptions about careers in sports law is the work in-house counsel actually perform for their teams. Of course, every team and sport is different, but after attending panels with in-house counsel from a range of sports, some ideas seem to flow through each sport:
The first (and most common) misconception about in-house counsel is that they deal with the drafting of player contracts. Those are actually usually handled by general managers and salary cap experts. There’s also limited interaction between in-house counsel and players’ associations. In-house counsel may instead draft general manager and coaching staff contracts. They also handle the concerns that arise from situations where a fan falls in the stadium or bites into something that is definitely not supposed to be in their popcorn bucket. In-house counsel also deal with corporate matters of a long-term nature, like sponsorships.
Another misconception is that in-house counsel work is all sports, all the time. In-house counsel encounter a wide range of legal fields. (This is when remembering your law school colleagues really comes in handy.) Some days you’re drafting contracts, and the next, the stadium is facing real estate and tax issues that need to be addressed. Employment and intellectual property aren’t uncommon to see, either. In-house counsel have to be prepared to face whatever legal challenge comes their way, so many build a staff with a range of expertise.
Lastly, in-house counsel aren’t always solely focused on the team itself, but the team’s relations. There’s a lot of interaction with community relations, human resources, and the league’s legal team. In-house counsel are often the conduit between the league and the team. In-house counsel may also work closely with their team’s outreach programs and foundations.
In-house counsel wear many hats, and hopefully now you’re a little more aware of what hats those are! If you’re interested in becoming in-house counsel for a professional sports team, here’s a list of things to be prepared for:
- Be proactive in getting around to the different departments of your team. People should want to come to you as soon as there’s a possibility of a problem. The practice of law is a collaborative one. Don’t be afraid to raise a red flag when one needs to be raised and an issue needs to be addressed.
- Do your research. Know how the teams in the league are usually structured. For example: most NFL teams have in-house counsel, but the Pittsburgh Steelers utilize outside counsel for most legal concerns rather than retain in-house counsel. Know the league’s by-laws. The NFL has personal conduct policies that govern not only the players, but the personnel. Knowing what is expected of your behavior will be beneficial for you in the long run so you don’t have to worry about behavioral reprimands or investigations.
- Get drafting experience. You may be expected to draft a contract in half an hour, so get all the drafting experience you can.
- Know what you don’t know. Have connections who are experts in other fields. Take classes in a range of subjects, even if they don’t seem to be relevant to sports law. Having some experience and knowledge in different fields of law can be extremely beneficial for in-house counsel due to the unpredictable nature of their day-to-day.
- Be passionate about the business, not just the sport. Many people who end up working as in-house counsel didn’t plan to be there, so it isn’t just who loves the sport. Show versatility and speak the language. Be a value to add to the organization. Build your personal brand, be honest, and be solution-based.