Join the World's Top Legal Talent Network

WORK OPTION: The NBA currently provides eligible employees the option of working remotely one day per week.

Position Summary

With manager and other commercial lawyers, provide legal support for the NBA’s global marketing partnership business, as well as for event and licensing deals and matters. This role will focus on structuring, drafting, negotiating, and managing sponsorship, licensing, marketing, and media agreements, including high-profile brand partnerships, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and league policies. Candidates should have experience in commercial contracts, intellectual property, and marketing and advertising laws and regulations.

Major Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead attorney for a variety of commercial agreements that include or relate to the NBA’s various assets, including intellectual property, marketing, licensing, events, and media assets.
• Support the NBA’s marketing efforts by structuring, drafting, and negotiating agreements and advising on initiatives related to the promotion of the NBA.
• Provide strategic counsel on intellectual property, image rights, and promotional activities involving players, teams, and league assets.
• Serve as a league legal contact for teams on sponsorship, marketing and other matters to provide advice on league policies and best practices.
• Advise and collaborate with the senior leaders of the global partnership business and other key leaders.

Required Education/Professional Experience

• Law degree and admission to practice in the State of New York.
• 3-5 years of experience at a leading law firm and/or corporate legal department.

Required Skills/Knowledge Attributes

• Experience drafting and negotiating major sponsorship, product, events, or marketing-related arrangements and other commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of contract law, intellectual property, advertising regulations, and brand protection.
• Experience working directly with, and providing legal and other advice to, senior and other business clients.
• Outstanding written and oral business communication skills.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; possess flexibility and effective time management skills to balance multiple priorities.
• Creative problem-solving skills to assist in meeting business needs and seizing new opportunities, while mitigating risk and managing key relationships.
• Strong commitment to quality work product and organizational ethics, integrity, and compliance.

Salary Range

$200,000 - $230,000

Job Posting Title

Senior Director

We Consider Applicants For All Positions On The Basis Of Merit, Qualifications And Business Needs, And Without Regard To Race, Color, National Origin, Religion, Sex, Gender Identity, Age, Disability, Alienage Or Citizenship Status, Ancestry, Marital Status, Creed, Genetic Predisposition Or Carrier Status, Sexual Orientation, Veteran Status, Familial Status, Status As A Victim Of Domestic Violence Or Any Other Status Or Characteristic Protected By Applicable Federal, State, Or Local Law.

The NBA is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace. To safeguard our employees and their families, our visitors, and the broader community from COVID-19, and in consideration of recommendations from health authorities and the NBA’s own advisors, any individual working onsite in our New York and New Jersey offices must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The NBA will discuss accommodations for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

About The NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a global sports and media organization with the mission to inspire and connect people everywhere through the power of basketball. Built around five professional sports leagues: the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and Basketball Africa League, the NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming available in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages, and merchandise for sale in more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2024-25 season featured a record-tying 125 international players from a record-tying 43 countries. NBA Digital’s assets include NBA TV, NBA.com, the NBA App and NBA League Pass. The NBA has created one of the largest social media communities in the world, with more than 2.3 billion likes and followers globally across all leagues, team and player platforms. NBA Cares, the NBA’s global social responsibility platform, partners with renowned community-based organizations around the world to address important social issues in the areas of education, inclusion, youth and family development, and health and wellness.