News
Robinson+Cole Unites Multidisciplinary Sports Capabilities Under New Industry Team
Today, Robinson+Cole announced the formalization of its Professional + Collegiate Sports industry team, bringing together attorneys and professionals from the firm’s Immigration, Labor + Employment, Litigation, Education, Real Estate, Construction Law, Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Artificial Intelligence practices. The team draws on the firm’s extensive experience in these areas to provide coordinated counsel to sports leagues and teams, institutions, talent—athletes and coaches, investors, and sports-related businesses as they navigate issues involving name, image, and likeness (NIL), Title IX compliance, global mobility and sports tourism, media rights, private investment, emerging technologies, venue development, and the continued growth of women’s sports.
"The sports industry represents an estimated $2.3 trillion global economy, and its continued growth is creating both opportunities and complexity across professional and collegiate athletics," said Robert C. Seiger, Chair of the new team. "As the sports industry continues to evolve, clients are increasingly seeking counsel that spans multiple disciplines and aligns with their broader strategic objectives. The formalization of this team reflects that demand and our commitment to serving clients across the sports ecosystem through an integrated approach."
The team's focus will center on three strategic areas:
Sports Immigration and Talent Mobility: Visa strategy, athlete and coach immigration, executive movement, global talent support, compliance, and mobility planning.
Sports Venues, Infrastructure, and Development: Stadium and arena projects, training facilities, leasing and real estate transactions, construction and infrastructure matters, public and private financing, naming rights, sponsorship arrangements, and land use considerations.
Collegiate Athletics and Institutional Risk Management: NIL matters, Title IX compliance, eligibility issues, employment matters, governance, investigations, litigation, licensing, and institutional risk management.
Robinson+Cole's work spans athlete and executive mobility, intellectual property protection, commercial transactions, venue development, employment matters, investigations, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Representative matters include providing immigration and mobility services for NHL, NFL, MLS, and NWSL organizations, obtaining an industry-first O-1 visa for an IndyCar race team, representing professional race drivers and teams, managing trademark matters for high-profile sports figures, advising a WNBA organization on the design and construction of a new training facility, and handling real estate and leasing matters involving major sports properties.
"This team reflects Robinson+Cole’s significant strength and capability across multiple disciplines to address the full range of issues facing sports organizations," said J. Michael Wirvin, the firm’s Managing Partner. "Many of the challenges in today’s sports industry do not fit neatly within a single practice area. By formalizing this effort, we are creating a more coordinated experience for clients while positioning the firm to continue growing alongside this dynamic industry."
Beyond its client work, Robinson+Cole is actively engaged in advancing the sports industry through leadership, scholarship, and engagement. Team members regularly contribute to national conversations on emerging sports law developments and are frequently sought by media outlets for commentary on issues affecting professional and collegiate athletics, most recently USA Today and the Sports Business Journal. They also participate in leading industry organizations, such as the Sports Lawyers Association, where Seiger currently serves as Chair of the Immigration Committee. The firm is recognized for its role at the intersection of sports and global talent mobility.
