Sports, Media and Entertainment
We have significant experience in all types of sports, media, music, literary and entertainment matters. Whether it be individual athletes and celebrities, or companies in the sports and/or entertainment industries, we have handled most every type of legal transaction including pro athlete and pro sports league issues, celebrity licensing and endorsements, stadium/arena venue based transactions, and deals involving literary, publishing, film, television, music and theater.
We handle all business and personal matters for professional athletes and entrepreneurs with vested interests in the sports related industries. A sampling of the specific sports deals handled by Caruso and the SME Group include player and coach contracts for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, as well as the CFL and USBL.
- Social Media Influencer, Sponsorship and Endorsement Agreements
- Film and Television Production Agreements
- ESport and Gaming Agreements
- Agency Formation and Representation
- Brand Ambassador Agreements
- Player and Celebrity Employment Contracts
- Talent Agreements
- Brand Promotion Agreements
- Production Company Formation
- Traditional Production Financing
- Director & Producer Agreements
- Story & Publicity Rights Acquisition
- Distribution Agreements (Theatrical, Digital, Video)
- Work-for-Hire Agreements
- Option Agreements
- Music Clearance & Rights Acquisition
- Trademark & Copyright Registration
- Documentaries & Copyright Fair Use
- Streaming Media
- Management Agreements
- Copyright/Trademark Ownership, Registration and Enforcement
- Idea Submissions and Ownership
- Talent/Management Disputes
- Private Financing of Sports and Entertainment Projects
- Co-Promotion and Strategic Alliances
- Restraining Orders and Other Types of Litigation
- Sponsorship and Endorsement Agreements
- Athlete & Coach Representation
- Participant Waivers & Releases
- Player and Celebrity Employment Contracts
- Salary Negotiations
- Merchandising Agreements
- Private Financing of Sports Projects
- Publicity Rights & Endorsement Agreements
- Sports Equipment Manufacturer & Distribution
- Team/League Formation and Representation
- Personal Services Contracts
- Product Liability
- NCAA Regulatory Issues
- Athlete Personal Appearance Agreements
- Manufacturing Agreements
- Arena/Stadium Financing, Construction, Operation and Leasing
- Event Venue Agreements
- Distribution Agreements
- Labor Law
- Promoter Agreements
- Restraining Orders and Injunctive Relief
- Insurance Issues & Indemnity Agreements
- Copyright/Trademark Ownership, Registration and Enforcement
- Sponsorship & Advertising Agreements
- Film, Theater and Television Production Agreements and Talent Agreements
- Actor Representation
- Model-Presenter Agreements
- Celebrity Employment Contracts
- Film & Television Actor Agreements
- Adult Film Talent Agreement
- Private Financing of Entertainment Projects
- News Anchor/Reporter Contract Negotiations
- Composer/Music Publishing Agreements and Record Label Deals
- Artist Management Agreements
- Radio and Voice-Over Talent Agreements
- Restraining Orders, Injunctive Relief and Other Types of Litigation
- Book Distribution Agreements
- Reality Television
- Author-Agent Agreements
- Theater Performer Agreements
- Copyright/Trademark Ownership, Registration and Enforcement
- Actor-Manager Agreements
- Talent/Management Disputes
- Actor-Agent Agreements
- Record Label Formation
- Merchandising & Sponsorship Agreements
- Traditional Label Financing Options
- Studio Rental
- Crowdfunding (Equity & Non-equity)
- Performance Rights & Royalties (ASCAP/BMI & Sound Exchange)
- Recording Agreements
- Live Performance Agreements
- Publishing & Co-Publishing Agreements
- Producers, Engineers & Musician Agreements
- Distribution Agreements
- Streaming Media
- Copyright Registration & Protection
- Band Partnership Agreements
- Synchronization & Master Use Licenses
- Trademark Registration
- Internet & Digital Royalties
- Recording Agreements
- Sampling
- Publishing & Co-Publishing Agreements
- Release & Work-for-Hire Agreements
- Work-for-Hire Agreements
- Songwriter Agreements
- Merchandise
- Touring & Live Performance
- Synchronization & Master Use Licenses
- Mechanical Royalty Rights
- Purchase and Sale of Story Rights
- Releases & Consents
- Writers Guild of America (WGA)
- Collaboration Agreements
- Trademark & Copyright Protection Agreements
- Privacy & Publicity Rights Issues
- Social Networking
- Blogs
- Digital & Physical Book Distribution
- Author-Agent Agreements
- Trade Book Agreements
- Professional Book Agreements
- Right to Privacy/Publicity Rights
- Theater Production Company Formation
- Digital Distribution (iTunes, Amazon, etc.)
- Playwright Agreements
- Composers for Film, Television & Video Games
- Performer Agreements
- Copyright Registration & Royalties Counsel
- Rights Acquisition & Licensing
- Social Networking
- Gallery & Consignment Agreements
- 360 Deal Advice & Counsel
- Licensing & Rights Acquisition
- Touring & Live Performance
- Artist-Agent Agreements
In addition, we have worked within the publishing, film, television, music, and theater industries, bringing vast legal and business experience to our clients in their pursuit of the quick and successful completion of their deals. We routinely represent television news journalists/broadcasters/analysts, reality television stars, producers, directors, writers, composers and all other types of performers both in front of and behind the audience. Unlike many others in our industry, we have provided successful legal counseling, negotiations, strategy, media supervision and crisis management on a global basis for high level crisis-type cases. The professional expertise provided by our attorneys ensures that our clients receive the most competent counsel in the most cost efficient manner.
Representative Matters
- Negotiation of player contracts and coach contracts with various pro teams;
- Representation of reality TV stars appearing in Housewives of New Jersey, Tree House Guys, Finding My Father, Mob Wives, Real World, Ride That Got Away, Big Fat Wedding Walk, etc.
- Legal counseling, negotiations, strategy, media supervision and crisis management in representing Miss New Jersey 2007, including appearing in all major print and media outlets such as People Magazine and NBC's Today Show;
- Negotiation and drafting of a multi-year/ multi-million dollar sponsorship, product endorsement and supply agreements with major sports brands including deal between Reebok and client professional sports league;
- All types of licensing and endorsement agreements including deal with Baseball Hall of Fame member, Reggie Jackson and NBA Hall of Fame member Rick Barry;
- Negotiation of joint venture arena/event deal involving the performance international performer, Andrea Bocelli;
- Representation of a world-renowned author in the solicitation and negotiation of publishing rights to his current novel regarding international political relations;
- Successful restraining order application and ultimate settlement for MTV reality TV star regarding a dispute with his former manager;
- Successful restraining order application and ultimate settlement on behalf of a professional sports league arising from infringement of its trademarks in the United States and Canada;
- Representation of various television production companies and personalities concerning production and licensing rights for television projects and exercise videos;
- Representation of celebrity recording artist/performer in co-production deal of new album
- Supervising substantial private equity financing transaction and structuring legal, financial, and business operations for sports/ consumer services, and entertainment production project;
- Founding owner and counsel to a professional team in the United States Basketball League;
- NFL and NBA Player Agent;
- Special counsel to the National Lacrosse League;
- Structuring and establishing production company for TV and film projects;
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