Brian D. Anderson

PartnerCo-Leader, Sports Industry Team
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Brian Anderson

Overview

Brian Anderson is a seasoned corporate attorney serving the sports industry in the U.S. and Europe. His practice spans business transactions, commercial contracts, intellectual property, advertising, technology and data-related matters, where he helps clients solve challenges and unlock value. 

As Co-Leader of Sheppard’s Sports Industry Team, Brian advises investors, teams, leagues, brands, and technology companies on strategic transactions across global sports. His practice focuses on acquisitions, minority and control investments, capital raises, sponsorships, and complex commercial, licensing, and technology deals across MLB, NHL, UFC, Formula One, MLS, NWSL, Liga MX, the EFL, the Premier League, the NCAA, and emerging leagues worldwide. His work sits at the intersection of sports, capital, and technology, where investment and innovation are reshaping the global sports industry.

His work includes: 

  • Equity investments, acquisitions, and strategic transactions across the U.S. and Europe
  • Expansion and launch projects for professional sports teams and leagues
  • Capital raising, fund formation, and investor structuring
  • League formation, governance, and regulatory matters
  • Sponsorship, naming rights, licensing, and media rights transactions
  • Merchandising, ticketing, gaming, and sports betting matters
  • Sports technology, AI, data, and digital platforms, including athlete performance, fan engagement, and venue monetization initiatives
  • Stadium, training facility, mixed-use development, and other sports real estate projects
  • Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), endorsement, influencer, and athlete commercial agreements
  • Commercial disputes, risk management, and strategic dispute resolution

Beyond his legal work, Brian is an active investor in sports tech companies and football/soccer clubs in the U.S. and Europe, where he serves on boards and helps to guide strategic growth. 

In his free time, Brian enjoys playing soccer. 

Experience

Present and past representative matters:

  • Represented WPSL Pro, a women’s professional soccer league, on corporate structuring, board governance, financing, league sanctioning, strategic partnerships, and commercial strategy.
  • Represented Nuveen, a global investment services firm, in negotiating a multi-year sponsorship and commercial partnership with the Atlassian Williams Formula 1 Racing Team.
  • Represented Busey Bank (Nasdaq: BUSE) in its multi-year partnership agreement with The Big 12 collegiate athletic conference, designating Busey Bank as the official bank of The Big 12, the first official banking partnership in conference history.
  • Represented a leading private equity firm in its significant investment in Querétaro Fútbol Club (Gallos Blancos de Querétaro), a professional club competing in Liga MX, the top division of Mexican football.
  • Acted for Swansea City AFC on landmark investment by global music icon Snoop Dogg as investor and co-owner.
  • Advised Swansea City AFC on investment by former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić as investor and co-owner.
  • Represented global consumer brand in record-breaking front-of-kit sponsorship agreement with a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team.
  • Represented the majority owners of Swansea City Football Club in connection with their acquisition of a controlling interest in the Club and their infusion of new capital.
  • Bay FC – Represented the original investor group and the majority owner, Sixth Street Partners, in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team bid, securing key sponsorship deals, a stadium license, training facility lease and construction, and handling various operational matters.
  • Negotiated first of its kind commercial partnership between a Major League Soccer (MLS) club and a third-party commercial agent. This involved rebranding and managing commercial operations for the MLS team’s reserve team, which competes in MLS Next Pro, the second division of MLS
  • Major League Rugby (MLR) Los Angeles – Acted for the investment group in the relocation of the Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise in Atlanta to Los Angeles
  • Arsenal Football Club – U.S. marketing and promotional activations
  • Mastercard – Sponsorship deal with Riot Games to sponsor the League of Legends European Championship (esports)
  • Kantoor Brand/Wrangler – Represented the Wrangler brand in renewing its 76-year long sponsorship deal with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which is the longest sponsorship relationship in North American sports
  • Block (Cash App) – Sponsorship deal with Red Bull Formula One Racing Team and driver Max Verstappen
  • Under Armour – Advised the company on its first NFT launch into metaverses with digital Genesis Curry Flow sneakers, in honor of Stephan Curry breaking the NBA 3-point record
  • Mastercard – Commercial partnership with soccer superstar Lionel Messi
  • Block (Cash App) – Sponsorship deal with NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and the No. 43 Chevrolet Car
  • Mastercard – Commercial partnership deal with soccer superstar Neymar
  • Block (Cash App) – Sponsorship deal for Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul pro boxing fight
  • Mastercard – Sponsorship deal with UEFA Champions League
  • Chelsea Football Club – Advised the team’s digital ventures business on the launch of its “Perfect Play” mobile app business
  • Mastercard – Sponsorship deal with National Women’s Professional Soccer (NWSL) Players Association
  • adidas – Sale of TaylorMade Golf to KPS Capital Partners for $425 million
  • GitHub – Acquisition of Ordered List Inc.
  • Adidas – Represented adidas soccer division on the “GMR Boot” (sensors for soccer/football boots) joint venture with Electronic Arts (EA SPORTS FIFA Mobile) and Google (Jacquard by Google)
  • Taylor Made Golf – Dozens of pro golfer sponsorship, endorsement, and commercial partnership transactions
  • FIFA – Traditional, digital, and virtual in-game advertising strategy in the United States
  • Duolingo – podcast production deals
Credentials
Clerkships

Law clerk in the Summer Honors Program at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Education

J.D. University of California, Davis, Law Review

B.A. University of California, Davis, with honors

Admissions

California

Honors
  • Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyer, Lawdragon, 2026
  • Top 40 Under 40, Daily Journal, 2016
  • Technology Transactions, Legal 500 US, 2014-2023, 2025
Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2025
Legal500 US Recommended Attorney
Memberships
  • Member, U.S. Soccer Federation Development Council (2019-present)
Thought Leadership