Full Time
Charleston, SC
Posted 2 months ago
Closes: June 30, 2026

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NCAA Olympic Sports League – Startup Launch

About Us

We are launching a transformational professional and youth sports league that will revolutionize Olympic sports in America. With $2.5B in equity funding secured, we’re creating a comprehensive ecosystem that licenses NCAA Division I school brands to operate professional teams and youth development programs across 12 Olympic sports.

Our ambitious plan includes:

Licensing agreements with 300 NCAA Division I schools
Operating 3,600 professional teams across 12 sports at full scale
Serving 3+ million youth athletes (U23 down to grassroots)
Developing $45B in sports campus infrastructure
Generating $5.2B+ in annual broadcast and marketing revenue

This is a rare opportunity to be the founding legal executive of a major sports enterprise with immediate national impact.

Position Overview

The General Counsel will serve as the chief legal officer and senior strategic advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors. As the first legal hire and a member of the executive leadership team, you will build the legal function from the ground up, navigate complex regulatory environments, and structure deals that will define the future of Olympic sports in America.

In Year 1 alone, you will negotiate 50 school licensing agreements, structure $4.5B in debt financing, oversee $2.5B in equity investment documentation, and establish the legal framework for operating professional sports leagues across multiple jurisdictions.

This role requires exceptional legal expertise, deal-making prowess, and the strategic judgment to balance aggressive growth with appropriate risk management.

Location: Charleston, SC(Relocation assistance available)
Compensation: $1.5M total (Base: $450K + Bonus: $350K + Equity/LTI: $700K)
Start Date: Week 3-4 (Immediate Priority)

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Governance & Compliance

Serve as chief legal advisor to CEO, Board of Directors, and executive team
Establish corporate governance framework and policies
Manage board meetings, resolutions, and corporate record-keeping
Ensure compliance with securities laws and investor reporting requirements
Develop and implement enterprise-wide compliance programs
Advise on fiduciary duties, conflicts of interest, and ethical matters
Oversee corporate secretary functions

School Licensing & Partnership Agreements

Lead negotiation of 50 licensing agreements with NCAA Division I schools in Year 1 (300 total)
Structure brand licensing, revenue sharing, and partnership terms
Navigate NCAA compliance requirements and amateur athletics regulations
Manage relationships with university general counsel offices
Draft and negotiate facility use agreements and campus partnerships
Protect company interests while maintaining strong school relationships
Establish template agreements that scale efficiently

Capital Markets & Financing

Structure and document $2.5B equity investment and governance terms
Negotiate $4.5B debt financing facilities for campus and transportation
Manage relationships with lenders, investors, and financial institutions
Advise on capital structure, fundraising strategy, and investor relations
Draft and negotiate investment documents, credit agreements, and security instruments
Ensure compliance with debt covenants and financing terms
Support future fundraising rounds and potential IPO preparation

Sports League Operations & Governance

Design legal and governance structure for multi-sport professional leagues
Draft league bylaws, competition rules, and operational policies
Establish player eligibility requirements and transfer rules
Develop anti-doping policies and testing protocols
Create officiating standards and dispute resolution procedures
Advise on sports betting, integrity monitoring, and gambling policies
Navigate state athletic commission requirements across 50 states

Employment & Labor Law

Develop employment policies and employee handbooks
Advise on executive compensation, equity grants, and benefit plans
Manage employment agreements for C-suite and senior leadership
Structure coaching and staff contracts across 600+ teams
Navigate independent contractor vs. employee classifications
Advise on labor relations strategy for potential unionization
Ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws
Manage employment litigation and disputes

Intellectual Property & Commercial Agreements

Protect and manage company trademarks, copyrights, and IP portfolio
Negotiate media rights agreements worth $5.2B annually at scale
Structure sponsorship deals (Adidas partnership and others)
Draft and negotiate broadcast, streaming, and distribution agreements
Manage IP licensing for merchandise and commercial opportunities
Protect against brand infringement and unauthorized use
Advise on technology licensing and software agreements

Real Estate & Infrastructure

Oversee legal aspects of $45B campus development program
Negotiate purchase agreements, leases, and construction contracts
Structure joint ventures and development partnerships
Manage title work, surveys, and due diligence
Navigate zoning, permitting, and land use regulations
Draft hotel, commercial, and residential lease agreements
Advise on environmental compliance and liability issues

Risk Management & Litigation

Develop comprehensive risk management framework
Negotiate and manage insurance programs (D&O, GL, professional liability, sports-specific)
Establish litigation strategy and manage outside counsel
Handle regulatory investigations and government inquiries
Manage crisis response and reputation protection
Advise on player safety, liability, and duty of care issues
Oversee data privacy and cybersecurity compliance (GDPR, CCPA, etc.)

Team Building & Leadership

Build and lead legal department from startup to maturity
Hire and develop legal team (target 5-10 attorneys by Year 2)
Select and manage outside counsel across multiple practice areas
Establish legal budget and cost management practices
Develop processes, templates, and knowledge management systems
Foster culture of business partnership and solutions-oriented thinking

Required Qualifications

Legal Credentials

J.D. from top-tier law school (Top 20 preferred)
Active bar membership in good standing (any U.S. state; multi-state preferred)
15+ years of legal experience with increasing responsibility
5+ years as General Counsel, Deputy GC, or equivalent senior legal role

Essential Experience (Must Have 3+)

Sports law and league operations
Complex commercial transactions and deal structuring
Securities law and corporate governance (public or late-stage private companies)
Debt financing and capital markets transactions
Real estate development and construction law
Employment law and executive compensation
Intellectual property and media/entertainment law

Proven Track Record

Structuring and closing $500M+ in transactions (M&A, financing, partnerships)
Managing multi-party negotiations with sophisticated counterparties
Building legal functions in high-growth environments
Operating in highly regulated industries with complex compliance requirements
Managing litigation and regulatory matters successfully
Partnering effectively with C-suite executives and boards

Core Competencies

Strategic Legal Advisor: Ability to provide business-minded counsel that drives growth
Deal-Making Excellence: Exceptional negotiation skills and transaction structuring
Regulatory Navigation: Deep understanding of complex regulatory environments
Risk Management: Balanced approach to risk-taking and risk mitigation
Business Acumen: Understanding of business models, economics, and competitive dynamics
Leadership: Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams
Communication: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
Judgment: Sound decision-making under pressure and ambiguity

Preferred Qualifications

Federal clerkship or similar prestigious post-J.D. experience
In-house experience at major sports league (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, etc.)
Background with NCAA, conference, or university athletics
Experience with Olympic sports organizations (IOC, USOC, NGBs)
Law firm partnership experience (AmLaw 100) in relevant practice areas
Startup/venture-backed company experience (seed through Series C+)
Large-scale real estate development expertise ($1B+ projects)
Experience with international expansion and cross-border transactions
Government or regulatory agency background
MBA, CPA, or other advanced credentials

Key Transactions & Deliverables (First 12 Months)

Quarter 1 (Months 1-3)

Structure and close equity investment documentation ($2.5B)
Negotiate first 15 school licensing agreements
Establish corporate governance framework
Implement compliance and ethics programs
Draft template agreements for schools, coaches, and facilities

Quarter 2 (Months 4-6)

Negotiate and close debt financing facilities ($1.5B+ for campus/transport)
Complete 20 additional school licensing agreements
Finalize league bylaws and competition rules
Structure Adidas partnership and retail agreements
Establish employment policies and compensation plans

Quarter 3 (Months 7-9)

Complete remaining 15 Year 1 school agreements (50 total)
Negotiate first broadcast rights agreements
Structure campus development partnerships
Implement comprehensive insurance programs
Launch legal team hiring (2-3 attorneys)

Quarter 4 (Months 10-12)

Prepare for first season launch (legal readiness)
Finalize player eligibility and transfer rules
Complete additional financing as needed
Support operational launches across all functions
Conduct Year 1 compliance audits and reviews

Success Metrics

Year 1 Objectives:

Execute 50 school licensing agreements with favorable terms
Complete $2.5B equity and $4.5B debt financing documentation
Achieve zero material litigation or regulatory issues
Build legal team and establish scalable processes
Maintain legal costs below 1% of budget
Earn trust and confidence of CEO and Board

Ongoing Measures:

Quality and speed of deal execution
Effectiveness of risk management and compliance programs
Business partnership and stakeholder satisfaction
Team development and talent retention
Cost-effectiveness of legal operations

What We Offer

Compensation & Equity

Base Salary: $450,000
Annual Bonus: Up to $350,000 (based on company and individual performance)
Long-Term Incentives: $700,000 in equity/phantom stock tied to company milestones
Total Year 1 Compensation: $1,500,000

Benefits & Perks

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance (100% premium covered)
401(k) with company match
Unlimited PTO policy
Relocation assistance (if applicable)
CLE and professional development budget
Bar dues and professional memberships covered
Executive coaching and leadership development
Home office setup allowance

Unique Opportunity

Founding legal executive of a major sports enterprise
Seat at the table with CEO and Board from day one
Build legal function your way with significant autonomy
Immediate, high-impact transactions ($7B+ in Year 1)
Well-capitalized startup ($2.5B equity secured)
National platform transforming Olympic sports in America
Legacy opportunity to shape sports law and youth development

Our Culture & Values

We are building a performance-driven culture rooted in:

Excellence: We set the highest standards and deliver exceptional results
Impact: We transform lives through sports and create pathways to success
Innovation: We challenge convention and pioneer new approaches
Integrity: We operate with transparency, fairness, and accountability
Collaboration: We win as a team and value diverse perspectives

As General Counsel, you will be a key culture carrier and model these values daily.

Application Process

To Apply: Please submit the following to:

Current resume/CV
Law school transcript (unofficial acceptable)
Cover letter addressing:
- Why you’re interested in this opportunity
- Your most complex transaction and how you navigated it
- Your approach to building a legal function from scratch
- Your philosophy on balancing risk and growth
Writing sample (transaction document, legal memo, or brief)
3 professional references (will not be contacted without permission)

Interview Process:

Round 1: Phone screen with VP of HR (30 minutes)
Round 2: Video interview with CEO (90 minutes)
Round 3: On-site interviews with CEO, CFO, and board members (half day)
Round 4: Final presentation to board and CEO on 90-day plan (2 hours)

Timeline: This is a priority hire we expect to place in Q2 2026.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Confidentiality

We understand that many qualified candidates may currently be employed in sensitive roles. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality. Please indicate in your cover letter if you require discretion during the interview process.