Event Recap: Paul Salvatore, ILR '81, Law '84

On October 24, the ILR Sports Business Society hosted Paul Salvatore, ILR '81, Law '84.

Salvatore is the co-chair of the Labor and Employment practice at Proskauer Rose LLP, the first law firm to represent league management in all four major sports. Proskauer's sports practice started in the 1970s with the NBA. Today, however, the firm is best known for representing the NFL, MLB and NBA in reaching new collective bargaining agreements. The firm is currently working with the NHL on their collective bargaining efforts.


A major focus of the presentation was Proskauer's rich history in sports law, something represented in large part by the roles of its alumni. The current NBA commissioner, David Stern, is a Proskauer alum and began by jumping from the firm to become the league's general counsel. Gary Bettman '74, then a Proskauer partner, was hired by Stern to replace him as general counsel when Stern was promoted to league commissioner. Bettman has since become the NHL's commissioner.

Salvatore detailed the five subdivisions of the sports law practice at Proskauer: Labor and Employment, Corporate, Financing and Facilities, Media and New Media, and Litigation, which includes commercial, media, sponsorship, and antitrust. Antitrust is of particular importance to three of the four major leagues; only the MLB is exempt. The firm also works closely on sports M&A deals, having brokered the sales of the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Hornets. The media division of Proskauer has worked closely with the Pac-12 conference, arranging TV deals with ESPN, FOX and the Pac-12 network.

Proskauer has played a key role in expansions as well, leading NBA efforts in Charlotte, Miami, Minnesota, Orlando, Toronto, and Vancouver, not to mention NHL expansions to Nashville, Colorado, Atlanta and Minnesota. Naming rights are another specialty of the firm, including the deals behind the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field and East Rutherford, NJ's MetLife Stadium.

According to Salvatore, Proskauer takes pride in "fighting tough and playing fair," something he feels contributes strongly to the firm's dominance in the sports law niche. He also reminded students of the importance of honing their personal skills and shared how the lessons he learned studying at the ILR School inspired him to pursue a career in the law of labor relations.

We were incredibly happy to host Paul Salvatore. Alumni are an integral part of the Society's success, and we hope Mr. Salvatore is willing to stop by again during his next trip to Ithaca!