Jared F. Bartie
Partner, Corporate & Financial Services
Jared Bartie is a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department and chair of the firm's Sports Transactions Practice. A sports industry veteran, Jared represents domestic and international clients on an array of complex matters, including professional sports team investments, stadium and arena transactions, facility naming rights and sponsorship transactions, and complex media rights agreements. His clients have included professional sports leagues, collegiate conferences, professional sports teams, media entities and hospitality companies.
Jared has advised leagues and teams in connection with high-profile investigations and sensitive matters. In addition to his traditional sports practice, Jared is also a leading lawyer in the esports industry. He has advised global publishing companies, investors, teams and venues regarding various matters.
Experience
Jared has extensive legal and business experience across the professional sports and entertainment industries. He has served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of the United States Tennis Association (USTA); General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats; an executive in the National Basketball Association’s Team Marketing and Business Operations group; and Acting Chief Counsel of Productions at Black Entertainment Television.
- Profiled by Law360 as a Sports & Betting MVP (2023)
- Named to The Hollywood Reporter’s “2023 New York Power Lawyers” as one of the top dealmakers in the sports and entertainment industries (2023)
- Ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA for E-Sports (2023)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 US as a "Leading Lawyer" (2023) in Sports
- Named a Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Trailblazer by The National Law Journal (2021)
- Named to Lawyers of Color’s inaugural “Nation’s Best” list (2019) and “Law Firm Leaders” list (2022)
- Recognized by Who's Who Legal in Sports & Entertainment (2018-2019)
- Named one of the “Most Influential Black Lawyers in America” by Savoy Magazine (2018, 2022)
- Recognized as a “Dealmaker” in Variety’s Dealmakers Elite: New York (2017-2018)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 US as a “Next Generation Lawyer” (2017-2021) in Sports
- Featured in Sports Business Journal’s “Power Players: Sports Lawyers & Outside Counsel” list (2016, 2021)
- Named “Sports Attorney of the Year” by the National Bar Association (2016)
- Chair, Law Board, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Co-Chair, Sports Division, Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association
- Presidential Appointee, Executive Committee, United States Tennis Association (2017, 2018)
- Sports Luncheon Committee, March of Dimes
- Sports Editorial Advisory Board, Law360 (2023, 2016)
- Founding member of the African American History and Culture Endowed Scholarship at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Founding donor of the Bartie-Greer Opportunity Scholarship at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Panelist, “Black Voices in Sports Law,” Wall Street Friends, NYC Black Attorneys and Society’s Webinar (July 2020)
- Moderator, “Esports and New Entertainment in Los Angeles: LA’s expertise in content, communication and commerce is propelling this industry to new heights,” Select LA Investment Summit (June 2019)
- Moderator, “eSports the Next Big Thing,” Sports Lawyers Association (May 2019)
- Panelist, “The Reality of Esports - Deploying Capital in an Emerging Industry,” City National Bank (May 2019)
- Panelist, “Growth and Future of eSports,” Fordham Sports Law Symposium (February 2019)
- Panelist, “Streaming, sponsorships, partnerships, branding, and IP,” Esports Bar Association (June 2018)
- Panelist, “Investing in Sports and esports: Engaging Today’s Fan,” NYSSCPA Family Office Committee (March 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Sports Deals 101,” Lawline.com (February 2018)
- Panelist, “Buying and Selling Sports Teams and Entertainment Businesses,” ABA Entertainment and Sports Conference, Las Vegas (October 2017)
- Moderator, “Dispelling the Myths: Diversity in Sports is a Winning Strategy,” USTA Sports D&I Symposium (August 2017)
Prior to joining Willkie in 2022, Jared was a partner and Co-Chair of the Sports Industry Group and Partner Co-Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at O’Melveny & Myers LLP.
His significant representations include the following matters:*
Sports Matters
- Represented the Mountain West Conference in connection with its scheduling agreement for the 2024 football season.
- Represented Myles Garrett, an All-Pro player for the Cleveland Browns, in his purchase of a minority stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.
- Represented J. Cole and Damian Mills, as part of a buyer group, in the acquisition of a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets from Michael Jordan
- Represented the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz in its multi-year arena naming rights transaction with Delta Airlines
- Represented Overtime Elite in its exclusive multiyear media rights agreement with Amazon
- Represented a professional sports team in connection with a highly publicized workplace investigation
- Represented a professional esports league in connection with a publicized work place investigation
- Advised the City of Atlanta and Fulton County Recreation Authority regarding an arena operating agreement and non-relocation agreement in connection with the $192 million State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena) renovation project
- Represented LaLiga in its joint venture with Relevent Sports to commercialize its media, sponsorship, and licensing rights in North America
- Represented Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC on a number of commercial transactions, including its bid to serve as a host city in connection with FIFA World Cup; a multi-venue pouring rights transaction
- Advised HEAD Sport GmbH in connection with professional athlete endorsement-related matters
- Represented North American Soccer League as counsel to the League and its board of governors regarding corporate and transactional matters
- Represented USA Volleyball in connection with a multiyear footwear, apparel and accessory agreement with Adidas
- Represented the National Basketball Association Detroit Pistons regarding a practice facility naming rights transaction with Henry Ford Health Care System
- Represented MP & Silva in a naming rights agency engagement with a US sports and media organization
- Represented Under Armour in a multiyear global sponsorship and apparel transaction with the NBA
- Represented Under Armour in various professional athlete endorsement agreements, as well as professional sports league and college sponsorship agreements
- Represented Pac-12 Conference in connection with various multimedia and commercial transactions
- Represented Major League Soccer DC United, and its majority ownership group, regarding various corporate transactions, including stadium financing related to Audi Stadium
- Represented a lead investor in separate bids to acquire the National Hockey League New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders
- Represented a minority investor group regarding a final round bid to acquire the National Basketball Association Atlanta Hawks
- Represented an investment group regarding the successful bid to acquire the Premier League’s Swansea City A.F.C.
- Advised Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, owner of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz, regarding a multiyear arena naming rights transaction with Vivint Smart Home Arena
- Advised the National Basketball Association Portland Trail Blazers regarding a multiyear arena naming rights transaction regarding the Moda Center
- Represented Legends Hospitality in various concessions services, sponsorship and sales and marketing matters
- Represented Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment regarding an arena operations support arrangement with AEG Facilities
- Advised Palace Sports & Entertainment regarding a radio broadcast rights agreement
- Advised USA Track & Field in various commercial matters, including its subscription content streaming platform
- Represented USA Track & Field in negotiations related to operating USA vs the World at the Penn Relays
- Advised the National Football League Minnesota Vikings in connection with a founding partner sponsorship transaction with MillerCoors
Esports Matters
- Led the representation of The Washington Justice (formerly Washington Esports Ventures) in connection with entry into Blizzard Entertainment’s Overwatch League
- Represented Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Jones family in connection with the Goff family in the acquisition of esports entity, compLexity Gaming
- Represented esports organization, Envy, in connection with its entry into the Blizzard Overwatch League and its Series A, Series B and Series C financings
- Represented FlyQuest and owner Wesley Edens, in its esports launch efforts, including the development of its standard player contract, merchandise arrangement and in connection with intellectual property matters
- Represented FlyQuest, in connection with entry into Riot’s North America League of Legends Championship Series
- Represented Gen. G (previously KSV esports International) in connection with its entry into the Blizzard Overwatch League, and related Series A financing
- Represented Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC in connection with an integrated sponsorship transaction with esports team, NRG
- Represented Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC in connection with venue hosting and sponsorship agreements regarding Red Bull Conquest
* Jared advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
Northwestern University, J.D. American University, B.A.