News & Insights

Sponsorship Agreements & Women’s Sports: Five Important Deal Clauses to Watch

Sponsorship dollars in women's sports have grown fast, and the money has brought more sophisticated partners to the table. As institutional investors and major corporate sponsors move into the space, drawn by rising media values, growing fan bases, and new leagues and franchises, the agreements crossing your desk are increasingly written by highly experienced deal teams. ...read more

Generative AI in Sports: Using AI Tools Without Jeopardizing Confidentiality or Privilege

Generative artificial intelligence tools offer compelling efficiencies across the sports industry, from player evaluation and recruiting insights to sponsorship analytics, ticketing optimization, and game-day operations. However, their use raises legal risks related to confidentiality, attorney–client privilege and work product, preservation and discovery, and contractual rights. Professional sports organizations, leagues, teams, venues, event operators, sports marketing and sponsorship groups, and college athletics departments and NIL collectives should adopt thoughtful guardrails before deploying these tools in workflows that touch sensitive data or legal strategy. ...read more

The NIL Arena: Change is Expected

In the ever-changing world of Name Image and Likeness (“NIL”) payments to collegiate athletes, the inevitable question has gotten the attention of the entire college sports ecosystem – how much constant pressure can the NCAA’s current structure withstand in an environment their system once dominated? Legal issues involving college athletes and the NCAA have taken center stage in courts around the country. Conferences and universities have spoken about the financial, institutional, and athletic pressures they now face. Lobbying efforts have reached the ears of Congress and State Legislatures, as mounting pressure for congressional regulation of the industry rises. And now recently, even the President of the United States has weighed in on what he wants the future of the NCAA to look like. Regardless of any one opinion on how college sports should look moving forward, the only certainty that remains is that major change is guaranteed. The real question is from where? ...read more

Senate Passes the Protect College Sports Act: What It Means for College Athletics and Institutions

On September 28, 2026, the U.S. Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act (S. 4668) by a decisive bipartisan vote of 77-22. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives, and if passed by the House, to the President’s desk for signature. ...read more

SCOTUS Holds that States Can Ban Transgender Athletes from Girls’ and Women’s Sports Teams

In rulings in two cases addressing high school and college athletics, the Supreme Court held that states can ban transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams without violating Title IX or the Fourteenth Amendment. ...read more

Executive Order on Collegiate Athletics: A Reset or a Rewind?

On Friday, April 3, 2026, the President signed an executive order on collegiate athletics in an effort to restore a regulatory posture that resembles, in essence, a pre–name, image, and likeness (NIL) power structure. Despite the clear enforceability and legal questions presented by this order, the NCAA has already indicated its intention to implement rules aligned with the order’s demands. The framework sets forth guidelines that favor institutional stability over athlete freedom. In reality, however, these guidelines reflect substantial deference to the NCAA and its historical compliance architecture, signaling a policy preference for centralized governance over athlete-driven market dynamics. In practical terms, the order narrows the scope of student-athlete discretion by circumscribing pathways that have recently expanded under NIL and a more open market, prioritizing uniformity and institutional control. It is too early to determine the exact ramifications of this executive order; however, its existence further emphasizes that change in the collegiate sports industry is coming. ...read more

‘Not Just Another Startup’: The Archer Partner Who Helped Bring Back Philadelphia’s Cycling Classic

Archer partner Kate Sherlock was featured in an article in The Legal Intelligencer for her role in helping bring the Philadelphia Cycling Classic back to Philadelphia after a 10-year hiatus. ...read more

AI Companies Spending Big on ‘Business Backed Sponsorships’

AI companies are rapidly emerging as dominant sports sponsors, but unlike traditional brands, they prioritize “business-backed sponsorships” focused on enterprise access, operational integration, and proving real-world use cases rather than mass visibility. This shift is reshaping how teams and leagues package partnerships, emphasizing data integration, decision-maker access, and measurable business outcomes as AI firms compete for exclusive footholds. ...read more

Archer Expands Sports and Entertainment Practice in Philly

In an interview with Law360 Pulse, Stephen Pina, partner in Archer’s Sports & Entertainment practice, shared his thoughts on his decision to join the firm and the future of his practice. With over 20 years of experience representing athletes, artists, and entertainment companies, Stephen brings unparalleled experience in areas like talent agreements, intellectual property strategy, and navigating the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. ...read more

Law, Co-op and Career Growth With Kate Sherlock

Partner Kate Sherlock was a guest on the Drexel University Sports Business Roundtable podcast where she discussed her journey from Drexel University alum to attorney working in the sports industry. ...read more

Archer & Greiner Regional and National Growth Highlighted in 2027 Best Law Firms® Rankings

Archer & Greiner (“Archer”) has been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms®, earning a national Tier 3 ranking in Sports Law and continuing its top-tier regional performance in the practice areas that form the backbone of the firm's work: complex litigation, corporate and transactional law, real estate and land use, environmental law, labor and employment, healthcare, family law, trusts and estates, and nonprofit law. These core disciplines, recognized at Tier 1 in New Jersey and Philadelphia, reflect the depth of experience and longstanding strengths that have shaped the firm's reputation. They also provide the foundation for the continued growth of newer practices, including Sports Law. ...read more

Archer & Greiner Wins NCAA Eligibility for Melvin Council Jr.

Archer & Greiner, P.C. announced today that New York Supreme Court Justice Daniel J. Doyle granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA and its President on behalf of client Melvin Council Jr., restoring his eligibility to compete in NCAA basketball during the 2026-27 season. Judge Doyle's ruling also prevents the NCAA from retroactively penalizing Council or any institution that chooses to add him to its roster. ...read more

Patrick Afriyie Named a “Most Promising Newcomer” Finalist in 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards

The Pennsylvania Legal Intelligencer has named Associate Patrick K.A. Afriyie a finalist in the Most Promising Newcomer category of the 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards. This accolade honors attorneys in their early years of practice who have demonstrated exceptional potential, work ethic, and legal acumen. ...read more