TurnkeyZRG Assists the New York Jets with General Counsel Search
November 8, 2024 – Professional sports teams are increasingly hiring general counsels to help navigate the complex legal and business landscape in sports today. These lawyers handle a wide range of responsibilities, from contract negotiations for players and staff to ensuring compliance with league regulations and labor laws. They also manage intellectual property issues, protecting the team’s brand and trademarks, and advise on potential liabilities related to player safety, stadium operations, and fan engagement.
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted the New York Jets in the recruitment of Andrew Lee as its new general counsel. Len Perna and Shelly Scott led the assignment. He is returning to the Jets after more than 15 years away from the franchise and replaces Jill Kelley, who left the Jets in July.
Mr. Lee is a veteran sports and entertainment attorney. He was previously with the Jets from 2005-09, and later served as general counsel to the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee. Mr. Lee also ran his own private practice and, since 2020, he has been of counsel with Foley & Lardner in Manhattan. In this position, he served as an outside general counsel and trusted advisor to various high profile firms in the sports, PR/communications, and entertainment fields.
In his new role with the Jets, Mr. Lee will lead and manage the team’s legal affairs department and serve as a partner to key stakeholders inside the organization and at the league office. Reporting to the team president, he is a key member of the Jets leadership team and will be looked on to provide experienced and sound business judgment and legal advice to the organization. Mr. Lee will provide expert and practical legal analysis and advice in support of the team and its stakeholders on a variety of legal issues, including but not limited to labor & employment, intellectual property, marketing, privacy, and tax, with an eye toward anticipating and limiting potential risk while balancing business objectives.
“I am eagerly anticipating the journey ahead with the New York Jets,” Mr. Lee said in a LinkedIn post. “The prospect of contributing to the organization’s continued success fills me with enthusiasm. Here’s to embracing new beginnings, tackling significant challenges, and exploring limitless opportunities ahead.”
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. Established in 1960 as the New York Titans, the team joined the American Football League (AFL) before the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Renamed the Jets in 1963, the team today is based in Florham Park, NJ, and play their home games at MetLife Stadium, which they share with the New York Giants.
Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent recruitment/executive search firm filling C-level, senior-level and mid-management-level positions throughout sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled more than 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity companies and other clients identify, recruit, and hire the best management talent.
Mr. Perna is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Turnkey. He has 30-plus years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior-level management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorships, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing, and legal affairs. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has managed over 1,400 executive searches.
Related: TurnkeyZRG Recruits Director of Athletic for the University of Iowa
Ms. Scott joined ZRG in 2020 as a managing director in the healthcare and life sciences practices. With 10 years of executive search experience, she has led searches from chief legal officer and chief compliance officer to vice president of risk management, privacy, investor relations, government affairs, technical operations, and performance improvement.
General Counsels in Sports
A general counsel for a professional sports team manages the team’s legal and business affairs. They are often the only lawyer in the room and work in competitive environments where they must balance legal responsibilities with other factors.
TurnkeyZRG Assisting the Los Angeles Sparks with Head Coach Search
TurnkeyZRG has been tapped by the Los Angeles Sparks to spearhead their search for a new head coach. Managing director Billy King, Chad Chatlos, managing director, college & coaching practice, and Katy Young Staudt, vice president, college & coaching practice, are leading the assignment. The three-time WNBA Champions Los Angeles Sparks are seeking a head coach to lead the team to success through strategic development, effective coaching, and fostering collaboration with players, coaching staff, and the front office, the job specification says. This role requires a leader who can cultivate a culture of accountability, psychological safety, and resilience while promoting strong relationships and team growth.
Executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that general counsels need to be trusted advisers who can recognize the risks of getting too close to owners and executives, and who can withstand intense media scrutiny. They should also have a strong moral compass and be able to read situations to ensure that the organization is following the rules while also addressing underlying issues.
General counsels are involved in many areas of the sports business, including venues, media, sponsors, and merchandise, according to Indeed. They work with business teams to understand their goals, identify legal risks, and propose solutions that balance both interests. As the commercial value of sports has increased, so has the need for more commercial contracts, regulations, and governance.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
