Counsel, Media and Distribution

Global Sports Jobs Limited; New York (NY); On-site; USD 190,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-provided 401K plan

Paid time off and holidays

Paid parental leave

Baseball game tickets & MLB.TV access

EAP

Job summary

Major League Baseball (MLB) is seeking a senior legal professional to join its Media & Distribution team in New York. The role leads licensing, distribution, and related agreements, collaborating with networks, platforms, clubs and the legal team to align media strategy and compliance.

You will draft and negotiate complex media agreements, advise on advertising and sponsorship initiatives, and provide strategic counsel on regulatory issues, IP protection, and enforcement across local and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree required.
• Admission to state bar required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex media-related agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead structuring, negotiation and drafting of broadcast, streaming and other media agreements.
• Advise on advertising, sponsorship and promotional initiatives from media partnerships.
• Provide strategic counsel on legal risks, policy, and compliance in evolving media landscape.
• Collaborate with legal teams and business leaders to align media strategy and practices.
• Coordinate with MLB Legal to ensure policies and regulatory compliance across markets.

Skills

Relationship building

Excellent communication

Fast-paced environment

Multitasking

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Bar admission

Job description

About the Role

The role sits within the Media & Distribution department and participates in or leads media rights licensing and distribution transactions. It advises on advertising and promotional initiatives and provides strategic counsel on legal risks, policy and compliance in an evolving media environment. The position works with business leaders, clubs, the legal team and other stakeholders to align media strategy, policies and practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in or lead the structuring, negotiation and/or drafting of broadcast, streaming, production, distribution and other complex agreements with networks, digital and social media platforms, distributors, and supply-side and operations partners
• Ensuring alignment with MLB’s long-term media strategy and business development goals.
• Advise on advertising, sponsorship and promotional initiatives derived from media partnerships and league-owned and operated products and platforms, including related insertion technologies and activities across social media platforms.
• Collaborate with legal subject matter experts and business owners in advertising, sponsorship, promotional and surrounding areas.
• Partner with business leaders and clubs to maximise reach and monetisation opportunities across all media platforms and partners and support other emerging business areas.
• Coordinate with members of the MLB Legal team and relevant stakeholders within MLB to align policies and practices with the work of the Media & Distribution legal team.
• Draft, review and advise on adherence to media-related league rules and policies, as well as regulatory and other compliance issues attendant to media rights licensing and distribution across local, national and international markets.
• Provide strategic counsel on legal risks, intellectual property protection, clearances and rights enforcement in an evolving media and emerging business environment and across all traditional and emerging technologies and distribution models.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to a state bar.
• Top academic credentials and references.
• Minimum of five (5) years as a practising lawyer.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements in any or all of licensing, production, distribution or other media-related transactions.
• Experience navigating regulatory frameworks applicable to, and intellectual property protection and enforcement of, media rights and other emerging sports business areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a strong ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, interacting regularly with senior management.
• Ability to simultaneously accomplish multiple quantitatively and qualitatively challenging tasks.
• Passion for sports, entertainment and the evolving media landscape.

Preferred Skills

• Admission to the New York bar is preferred.
• Several years’ experience in a well-regarded law firm is preferred.
• Top tier law firm experience is strongly preferred.

Salary

• $190,000 - $205,000 (Base Salary) + Bonus
• Salary and related aspects of compensation will be contingent upon work experience, education, skills and any other factors MLB considers relevant to the hiring decision.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive Benefits Package
• Company Contributed 401K Plan
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Access to Free Tickets to Baseball Games & MLB.TV
• Discounts at MLB Store | MLBShop.com
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Onsite/Online Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Disability Benefits (short term and long term)
• Life and Accidental Death Insurance
• Pet Insurance

About the Company

Employees who are most successful at MLB take initiative, know how to identify problems and provide solutions, and always put the Team first.