Foley Names New Leaders of Sports Industry Team

Foley & Lardner LLP has named Kevin Schulz and Jon Israel as co-chair and vice chair, respectively, of the firm’s Sports Industry Team. Transitioning from his prior role as vice chair, Schulz will now work alongside co-chair Mary K. Braza to guide the strategic direction of the industry team. Israel succeeds Schulz in the vice chair position.

“I’m thrilled that Kevin and Jon are taking on new leadership roles on the Sports Industry Team,” said Braza. “Kevin’s experience as vice chair and Jon’s extensive work in the sports practice have equipped them both with the knowledge and foresight to be successful. I’m looking forward to collaborating with them on growing our already deep bench of sports attorneys and servicing our industry-leading clients.”

Schulz has made significant contributions to Foley’s Sports Industry Team since joining the firm nearly 20 years ago. He has extensive experience representing organizations in the sports industry in transactional and commercial matters, including sales and acquisitions of professional sports franchises; licensing arrangements; promotional and advertising agreements; sponsorship and naming rights agreements; joint ventures; ticketing arrangements; stadium/arena service agreements; formation of regional sports networks; and television, radio and media rights agreements. Schulz’s background includes noteworthy work involving MLB teams such as the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers; NBA teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons; and NFL teams such as the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals; as well as minor-league and foreign sports teams, colleges and universities, sponsors of sports teams, media companies, and sports technology companies. A frequent speaker and media commentator on sports industry matters, Schulz was most recently named to Law360’s 2017 sports editorial advisory board.

Israel also brings substantial sports industry experience into his vice chair role, with a focus on advising professional sports leagues and teams on a wide range of labor, employment, and general corporate matters. He has extensive experience in league and team operations, including negotiating contracts with players, coaches and other team personnel; negotiating and administering collective bargaining agreements, including in television broadcasting and at venues and arenas; developing, administering and enforcing league and team rules and policies; auditing and investigating team and facility operations, including oversight and management of team medical personnel; and arbitrating grievances and disputes, including player disciplinary matters. Prior to joining Foley, Israel served as assistant general counsel at the NBA.