McGuireWoods Debuts Specialized Practice for Sports Industry

A prominent development in the commercial world of athletics came today as McGuireWoods, a leading U.S. law firm, announced the launch of a dedicated Sports Industry Team, tailored specifically to the unique legal and transactional needs of sports entities. The newly formed group boasts lawyers experienced in billion-dollar stadium financing, headline-generating M&A deals, high-value endorsement contracts, and litigation matters involving top-tier teams and athletes.

This launch responds to the evolving complexity of sports business, where legal needs now span capital markets, media rights, compliance, and intellectual property on a global scale. McGuireWoods' team brings a multidisciplinary approach that merges transactional acumen with sport-specific litigation experience, positioning the firm as a strategic partner for franchises, athletes, educational institutions, and investors.

Key practice leaders include Robert Muckenfuss, Seth Goldsamt, and Sarah Wake—all bringing decades of experience—from serving as counsel to NASCAR’s advisory council to supporting universities in NCAA compliance and conference alignment. The group’s formation highlights the escalating importance of legal frameworks in sports administration and commercialization. As the sports ecosystem grows increasingly corporatized, stakeholders will seek guidance not just for contract negotiation but for holistic management that spans finance, regulation, media rights, and athlete governance.