Description:
Salary Range:$185,000.00 To $200,000.00 Annually
NFL Players, Inc. (licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association) is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable Senior Business Counsel to join our Commercial Strategy and Legal team! The Commercial Strategy and Legal department supports NFL Players Inc. on legal matters pertaining to the licensing, marketing, and other revenue generating initiatives.
Senior Business Counsel candidates should have a JD from an accredited law school and possess an active and unrestricted license to practice in at least one state bar association with the ability to be licensed in Washington, DC. Other requirements include a minimum of seven years' experience in complex commercial transactions involving intellectual property, including licensing, sponsorship/marketing partnerships and content or brand-driven deals. Experience with equity transactions is strongly preferred. Qualified candidates should also have demonstrated success leading negotiations and drafting a broad range of commercial agreements with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives. Excellent communication, interpersonal and strong analytical and problem-solving skills is needed for this role.
Primary responsibilities include:
The NFL Players Association is the Union representing all active NFL players. Over 60 years ago, NFL players approached owners with a list of demands, including clean socks and jocks. The fight that ensued over issues ranging from fair wages, safe working conditions and basic employee benefits formed the foundation for what is now the NFL Players Association. We serve as the voice of the players, ensuring that they are more than just employees and have a seat at the collective bargaining table as partners in the most popular and highest revenue-generating sport in America. Please visit our website to learn more about the organization: www.nflpa.com.
Senior Business Counsel candidates should have a JD from an accredited law school and possess an active and unrestricted license to practice in at least one state bar association with the ability to be licensed in Washington, DC. Other requirements include a minimum of seven years' experience in complex commercial transactions involving intellectual property, including licensing, sponsorship/marketing partnerships and content or brand-driven deals. Experience with equity transactions is strongly preferred. Qualified candidates should also have demonstrated success leading negotiations and drafting a broad range of commercial agreements with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives. Excellent communication, interpersonal and strong analytical and problem-solving skills is needed for this role.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Lead end-to-end transaction execution across licensing, sponsorship, partnership and vendor deals, including structuring, drafting, negotiating, and closing complex commercial agreements (e.g., license agreements, sponsorship/marketing partnerships, term sheets, vendor services, consultant agreements, hotel, venue and event agreements, security and IT, MOUs and NDAs), with a focus on value maximization and risk mitigation.
- Lead the structuring, drafting, and negotiation of equity instruments—including warrants, convertible notes, and SAFEs—ensuring alignment with financing strategy, regulatory requirements, and investor expectations while efficiently closing transactions.
- Serve as a strategic legal partner and cross-functional liaison to business, finance, marketing, and partnership teams—translating legal considerations into actionable guidance, aligning stakeholders, and driving efficient deal execution from inception through post-close integration.
- Oversee intellectual property strategy and risk in commercial transactions, including advising on IP ownership, licensing rights, brand usage, rights of publicity, content exploitation, and enforcement considerations in both domestic and international contexts.
- Drive negotiations with external counterparties (including sponsors, licensees, investors, and strategic partners), demonstrating strong judgment, commercial acumen, and the ability to balance legal protections with business objectives in high-stakes environments.
- Oversee deal lifecycle governance and execution discipline, including diligence, issue spotting, contract standardization, and coordination with internal and external counsel, ensuring consistency, scalability, and alignment with organizational policies and long-term strategic goals.
- Provide direct managerial oversight of Corporate Counsel, including supervision, review, and quality control of legal work product across core transactional areas, with a focus on talent services and rights/licensing agreements.
- Support VP in managing annual legal budget, in-house staff, and outside counsel.
- Support VP in corporate governance matters, including preparation of Board of Directors materials and filings.
- Advise on regulatory compliance matters and corporate policies.
The NFL Players Association is the Union representing all active NFL players. Over 60 years ago, NFL players approached owners with a list of demands, including clean socks and jocks. The fight that ensued over issues ranging from fair wages, safe working conditions and basic employee benefits formed the foundation for what is now the NFL Players Association. We serve as the voice of the players, ensuring that they are more than just employees and have a seat at the collective bargaining table as partners in the most popular and highest revenue-generating sport in America. Please visit our website to learn more about the organization: www.nflpa.com.
