Wyche’s sports law practice provides comprehensive legal counsel to clients navigating the complex landscape of the sports industry. With a wealth of experience in both sports business and law, Wyche advises universities, athletic departments, coaches, administrators, athletes, and sports industry professionals on crucial issues. Our extensive knowledge spans Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), NCAA compliance, corporate transactions, dispute resolution, and direct support for coaches and athletic administrators, delivering strategic guidance that aligns with each client’s unique needs.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

As NIL continues to evolve, Wyche helps universities and athletic departments understand how to strategically address current and future decisions impacting their institutions. We also advise NIL collectives on various legal matters, including corporate formation, business strategy, and compliance, ensuring they operate within the bounds of the law while maximizing opportunities. Wyche’s sports law team is equally well equipped to advise student-athletes in their NIL endeavors. We have negotiated brand partnership deals, social media agreements, apparel rights contracts, and other traditional marketing deals on behalf of student-athletes.

Strategic Counsel

With deep knowledge of the collegiate sports landscape, Wyche serves as trusted outside counsel for universities and athletic departments. Whether advising on policy, upcoming changes to the NCAA landscape, contract negotiations, or employment issues, our sports law team is equipped to handle any need.

Counsel for Coaches and Athletic Directors

Wyche is uniquely positioned to support coaches and athletic directors with specialized legal services that address the demands of their professions. Our sports law team provides seasoned guidance on employment contracts, compensation negotiations, career transitions, and policy issues. With Darren Angell’s hands-on experience as a former Division I assistant basketball coach, Wyche has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by coaches and administrators, ensuring they receive the strategic counsel they need to safeguard their careers and professional interests.

Internal Investigations

Wyche has a large internal investigations practice group with considerable experience in a range of matters affecting educational institutions, national and international corporations, and small businesses. Investigations in higher education sometimes overlap with athletics, and Wyche’s team has conducted investigations relating to athletic programs and personnel, as well as allegations of NCAA infractions. Learn more about the internal investigations group here.

NCAA Compliance

Navigating NCAA regulations requires in-depth knowledge and a high level of proficiency. With deep experience in higher education, Wyche provides guidance to universities, administrators, and coaches on compliance with NCAA regulations, helping our clients avoid costly violations and reputational risks.

Corporate Transactions

Wyche provides top-tier corporate legal guidance to a wide variety of organizations. This experience provides a unique perspective on structuring and negotiating deals involving sports organizations, partnerships, sponsorships, and other transactions within the sports industry. Wyche works to secure favorable terms that align with clients’ strategic goals and safeguard their interests in these often high-stakes matters.

Dispute Resolution

Wyche’s litigation experience is both broad and deep. Wyche regularly litigates in state and federal courts across the country. Wyche brings a thoughtful perspective to advising sports industry clients, and resolving conflicts, whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. Wyche’s team advocates for clients in disputes ranging from contract matters to complex legal challenges involving athletes, sports organizations, and governing bodies. Our work includes representing one of the world’s largest athletic apparel brands in a significant matter.

Intellectual Property

Wyche’s Intellectual Property practice offers comprehensive legal services, providing legal advice and business counseling, as well as representation in litigation to clients across a wide range of industries, including technology and sports and entertainment. The firm offers strategic counsel in all aspects of intellectual property law, focusing on the protection, enforcement, and commercialization of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Wyche’s intellectual property litigation practice represents clients in complex patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret disputes, with a track record of successful outcomes in both state and federal courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums.

Key areas of Wyche’s intellectual property work include:

• Patents: Wyche assists with patent portfolio management, patent prosecution, patent litigation, and licensing. The firm represents emerging tech companies and established global entities in securing and defending patents related to cutting-edge innovations.
• Trademarks: The firm offers trademark registration services, brand protection strategies, and dispute resolution. Wyche helps clients build strong and defensible brands, while providing proactive guidance on trademark infringement and dilution issues.
• Copyright: Wyche’s team assists clients with copyright registration, enforcement, and litigation. They support creators, media companies, and tech firms in protecting their original works, including software, digital content, and artistic expressions.
• Trade Secrets: Wyche advises clients on safeguarding confidential business information, including trade secrets, through non-disclosure agreements, employee policies, and litigation when necessary.

With a blend of technical knowledge and in-depth experience, Wyche is a trusted partner for businesses seeking to protect their intellectual property rights and navigate the complexities of the evolving IP landscape. The firm’s client-centric approach ensures tailored solutions for both large corporations and innovative startups.

Wyche’s sports law team has critical industry and business knowledge, as well as experience to handle matters that impact almost every area of the law that touches sports. Let our team put our experience to work and help guide you through the complexities of the quickly evolving sports industry to ensure you receive effective, uncompromised counsel on every issue.