Sports

Independent Expertise at the Crossroads of Sports, Business, and Law.

The global sports industry is experiencing unprecedented transformation driven by exponential market growth, private equity investments, regulatory evolution, and technological innovation. With the international sports market projected to grow from $485 billion in 2023 to $651 billion by 2028, the industry faces increasingly complex legal, financial, and regulatory challenges that require sophisticated advisory support.

Secretariat’s Global Sports Consulting practice provides independent expert services to leagues, teams, athletes, investors, universities, law firms, and governing bodies worldwide. Our professionals combine in-depth knowledge of the sports industry with world-class capabilities in investigations, valuations, forensic accounting, and dispute resolution to address the unique challenges facing this rapidly evolving sector. As former sports executives, economists, forensic accountants, and investigators, we understand the intricate dynamics of sports business operations, from collective bargaining negotiations to private equity transactions. Our multidisciplinary approach enables us to deliver comprehensive solutions for complex matters involving team valuations, NIL compliance, investment due diligence, regulatory investigations, and high-stakes disputes.

We are recognized globally for our independence, objectivity, and analytical rigor, providing clarity and confidence to clients navigating the intersection of sports, business, and law. Our experts have experience working with professional sports organizations, collegiate athletics programs, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and their counsel across multiple jurisdictions.

Our sports industry capabilities include:

  • Sports Transformation Advisory: Strategic consulting for leagues, teams, and organizations navigating industry evolution, including governance restructuring, operational optimization, and digital transformation initiatives.
  • Private Equity & Investment Advisory: Due diligence and financial modeling for institutional capital investments in sports assets, including team acquisitions, league expansions, and infrastructure projects.
  • M&A & Transaction Advisory: Comprehensive support for mergers, acquisitions, and strategic transactions involving sports franchises, media companies, and related businesses.
  • Data, AI & Analytics: Advanced analytics for performance optimization, fan engagement strategies, revenue forecasting, and competitive intelligence using innovative data science and artificial intelligence.
  • Economics & Valuation: Expert analysis and testimony for team valuations, franchise disputes, revenue-sharing arrangements, and economic impact assessments.
  • Intellectual Property & Broadcasting: Analysis of media rights valuations, licensing disputes, IP enforcement matters, and content monetization strategies.
  • Infrastructure & Capital Projects: Construction disputes, delay analysis, and quantum assessment for stadium and facility development projects, including cost overruns and schedule disputes.
  • Regulatory Compliance & Investigations: Independent investigations for leagues, governing bodies, and educational institutions involving financial misconduct, compliance violations, and governance matters.
  • Litigation & Disputes: Expert witness services, damages quantification, and forensic analysis for complex sports-related litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution.
  • NIL Compliance & Valuation: Forensic audits, compliance monitoring, and valuation services for Name, Image, and Likeness agreements and programs.
  • Collective Bargaining Support: Economic analysis and expert testimony for labor negotiations, salary cap disputes, and revenue-sharing agreements.