Legal Counsel (Global Football)

THE·TEAM operates at the epicenter of sports, music, entertainment and culture, serving talent, brands and properties on a global scale. THE·TEAM works with iconic sports and media figures across the world in every major sport, utilizing our extensive influence to maximize negotiations and create meaningful opportunities for our clients across teams, leagues, brands, content and live events.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, THE·TEAM's presence spans 28 countries and more than 70 cities, including New York, London, Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Madrid, Mexico City, Toronto, Paris and Sydney. For more information, please visit THE.TEAM.

The.Team is one of the most influential and highly regarded football talent agencies in the world, representing some of the world's best players and working with the very best in the industry on a global scale. Our Global Football division continues to grow and we are looking for a Legal Counsel to join the team.

As Legal Counsel, your role will be to assist Wasserman’s football division with day-to-day legal affairs. You will work closely in a small legal team primarily servicing the legal needs of a wide variety of football agents. In addition, you will be responsible for company secretarial tasks, assisting in the implementation of effective contract administration and document management processes and liaising with external counsel on international transactions and litigation matters.

Job Overview

Overseeing the drafting, reviewing and negotiating of a wide range of FA and FIFA-related agreements, including standard player contracts, image rights agreements, bespoke manager employment agreements and agency agreements on behalf of The.Team football agents and talent.

What You’ll Do

• Reviewing and negotiating a broad range of commercial agreements including consultancy agreements, mandates, services agreements and sponsorship and endorsement agreements.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating a wide range of FA and FIFA-related agreements, including standard player contracts, image rights agreements and agency agreements on behalf of both Wasserman football agents and talent. This includes operating within tight timeframes during both the summer and winter transfer windows as well as the re-negotiation of players’ contracts over the course of the season.
• Drafting and negotiating a range of agreements for athlete management services, including representation agreements, influencer agreements, intellectual property license agreements, NDAs and releases and sponsorship and endorsement agreements.
• Drafting a wide range of commercial agreements including consultancy agreements, mandates, services agreements and contracting agreements.
• Providing advice on FIFA rules and regulations as well as legal and regulatory compliance with The FA’s Football Agent Regulations.
• Taking ownership of the football divisions’ company secretarial functions which shall include liaising with and instructing local legal counsel and company secretarial service providers.
• Preparing contracts to onboard new staff and independent contractors.
• Supporting the legal and business needs of football agents and executives in and across EMEA, and on occasion, North America.
• Developing positive long-term relationships with both Wasserman football agents and executives.
• Being responsive to business needs by providing legal advice and assistance with different business matters including real estate, agreements with service suppliers and contractual disputes.
• Updating precedent documents and supporting the implementation of effective contract administration and document management processes.
• Taking ownership of litigation matters by preparing initial dispute resolution advice for the business and, where necessary, liaising with external counsel.

What We’re Looking For

• 1-2+ years PQE
• Experience within Football industry and execution of football contracts.  
• Experience working across FA/FIFA Regulations
• Clear communicator who’s organised and detail-oriented
• Someone who’s curious, and takes initiative
• Comfortable juggling priorities and working in a fast-moving environment, including weekends when required
• Enjoys collaborating with others and contributing to a team
• Open to feedback and always looking to learn and grow

THE·TEAM does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.