Video Gaming and Esports
While playing video games may start at home, it has exploded into a competitive spectator sport either through streaming services or live events with leagues, championships, endorsements and the possibility of lucrative professional careers, collectively referred to as esports. From an initial video game concept through development, distribution, marketing and sales to a ballooning fan base engaged in esports tournaments and championships, the lifecycle of a video game is vast.
Attorneys at Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr advise video game designers and distributors, colleges and universities with esports programs, and esports investors on the full spectrum of video gaming across a variety of legal matters, including in the following areas:
Corporate
- General corporate – commercial agreements, governance, partnerships and new ventures, including esports franchise development
- Financing – debt and equity capital-raising transactions; and esports arena financing
- Mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and strategic alliances
- Investments – fund formation and investment opportunities for private equity funds, venture capital funds, wealth funds, strategic investors and family offices
- Esports sponsorships – event contracts and broadcast agreements
- Tax – domestic and international tax planning and Internal Revenue Service inquiries and disputes
Real Estate, including the purchase and sale of land, financing, development, land use rights, zoning, leasing, and appeals
Construction, including the development of arenas and stadiums and surrounding entertainment centers
Intellectual property, including matters related to copyrights, patents, trademarks, licensing and merchandising
Collegiate esports programs, including establishing esports teams and programs, assisting in negotiations with esports leagues and tournament hosts, reviewing league participation agreements, and advising on issues of compliance and policy
Labor and employment, including employment agreements, employee handbook/policy requirements, athlete handbooks, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) matters
Litigation or arbitration, including breach of contract disputes, class actions, and esports league inquiries and disputes
Supply chain logistics
Employee benefits and executive compensation
Cybersecurity and data privacy
Click on the links below for overviews of our work in these areas:
Recognition
The group includes attorneys who have received the following recognition:
Contacts


