The Sports Lawyers Association conference in Chicago earlier this month brought together leading attorneys, executives, and industry stakeholders from across the sports business landscape. Venable's Sports Law team hosted its annual dinner, which featured discussions on some of the most significant legal and business developments shaping the industry and a welcome time to connect with new and old friends.
Stadium Development Drives Sports Business Growth
Among the conference's key themes was the growing importance of venue ownership and stadium development as drivers of franchise value and competitive success. Panelists emphasized that commercial growth increasingly depends on teams controlling their own venues for games and training, while also expanding revenue opportunities through mixed-use stadium districts and year-round programming.
Covered and domed venues are particularly valuable assets, enabling a broader range of events—including the continued growth of volleyball—and supporting evolving league schedules, including Major League Soccer's anticipated transition to a fall-to-spring calendar. We expect to see more plans to enclose existing facilities over the next year.
NIL Litigation Expands Across College Sports
Name, image, and likeness (NIL) litigation remains a major focus. Speakers noted the rapid expansion of disputes involving NIL agreements, including cases addressing breakage fees, liquidated damages, and tortious interference claims. The breadth of litigation now includes disputes between schools, claims involving athletes and institutions, and actions against agents, with new case law emerging at a rapid pace.
AI Challenges to Intellectual Property
Artificial intelligence and intellectual property issues generated significant discussion as well. Panelists examined the challenges associated with protecting innovations created by AI or developed in collaboration with AI tools. While one discussion centered on footwear technology, participants noted that the underlying legal questions have broad implications across the sports and entertainment industries.
The conference also featured discussion surrounding the Chicago Bears' ongoing stadium deliberations, with ownership panelists addressing the balance between financial feasibility, long-term stewardship, and venue strategy as the franchise considers its future home.
The event underscored the increasingly interconnected nature of sports, real estate, technology, and intellectual property law as the industry continues to evolve.
If you would like to discuss any of the issues covered at the conference, please contact the author or visit the Venable Sports Law team's web page, and subscribe to Chalk Talk.