October 31, 2023
Jared Bartie, chair of Willkie’s Sports Transactions Practice, has been profiled by Law360 as a 2023 Sports & Betting MVP.
In a Q&A profile, Jared discussed the transformative deals and matters across the professional sports industries that led Law360 to name him a top practitioner in his field. He describes his professional journey and passion for his work, his early career mentor and what motivates him today.
The profile highlighted the prominent deals Jared led this year – representing the NBA’s Utah Jazz in a long-term naming rights agreement and sponsorship deal with Delta Airlines, advising investors in the acquisition of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets from Michael Jordan, and counseling youth pro basketball league Overtime Elite in a groundbreaking streaming rights agreement with Amazon.
A sports industry veteran and lifelong basketball fan, Jared previously represented the Jazz in the naming rights deal between the Jazz and Vivint in 2015, and had also served as GC for the Charlotte Bobcats from 2007-2008. He also previously advised OTE in its launch efforts and contributed to the structuring of the league. He described his work on the recent deals this year as coming “full circle.”
Jared also recalled his friendship with NBA coach and executive Ed Tapscott, who Jared met while studying at American University and who was instrumental in his move full time into sports law.
“I had the passion for sports and basketball, and Ed Tapscott was the first lawyer I'd ever met. He happens to be a Black lawyer, and happened to be a basketball coach. So he resonated with me immediately,” said Jared. He noted that Ed “has been in my life and influential for quite some time.”
As a leader at the firm, Jared said he tries to be an example to young lawyers with similar backgrounds.
“I didn't have a forged path to follow, or anyone to be a resource relative to information regarding the type of career that I might be able to enjoy. So I try to lead by example, try to spend as much time as I'm able to being a resource or giving advice or providing mentorship."
Law360 selected Jared as a 2023 MVP from a competitive pool of more than 900 nominations, naming him one of only five honorees in the Sports & Betting category.
Read his full profile here.
