Counsel, Media

Sits in the Media & Distribution department and involves participating in or leading media rights licensing and distribution transactions. It advises on advertising and promotional initiatives and provides strategic counsel on legal risks, policy and compliance in an evolving media environment. The lawyer works with business leaders, clubs, legal subject matter experts and other stakeholders to support media strategy and emerging business areas.

• Participate in or lead the structure, negotiation and/or drafting of broadcast, streaming, production, distribution and other complex agreements with networks, digital and social media platforms, distributors, and supply-side and operations partners
• Ensuring alignment with the organisation's long-term media strategy and other business development goals.
• Advise on advertising, sponsorship and promotional initiatives derived from media partnerships and league-owned and operated products and platforms, including related insertion technologies and activities across social media platforms.
• Collaborate with legal subject matter experts and business owners on advertising, sponsorship, promotional and surrounding areas.
• Partner with business leaders and clubs to maximise reach and monetisation opportunities across all media platforms and partners and support other emerging business areas.
• Coordinate with members of the Legal team and relevant stakeholders to align policies and practices with the work of the Media & Distribution legal team.
• Draft, review and advise on adherence to media-related league rules and policies, as well as regulatory and other compliance issues attendant to media rights licensing and distribution across local, national and international markets.
• Provide strategic counsel on legal risks, intellectual property protection, clearances and rights enforcement in an evolving media and emerging business environment and across all traditional and emerging technologies and distribution models.

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to a state bar.
• Top academic credentials and references.
• Minimum of five years as a practising lawyer.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements in any or all of licensing, production, distribution or other media-related transactions.
• Experience navigating regulatory frameworks applicable to media rights and other emerging sports business areas, and intellectual property protection and enforcement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, interacting regularly with senior management.
• Ability to simultaneously accomplish multiple quantitatively and qualitatively challenging tasks.
• Passion for sports, entertainment and the evolving media landscape.

• Admission to the New York state bar.
• At least several years' experience in a well-regarded law firm.
• Top tier law firm experience strongly preferred.

• $190,000 - $205,000 (Base Salary) + Bonus; actual salary contingent on work experience, education, skills and other factors the employer considers relevant.

• Competitive benefits package.
• Company contributed 401K plan.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Access to free tickets to baseball games and MLB.TV.
• Discounts at MLB Store and MLBShop.com.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
• Onsite/online training and development programs.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Disability benefits (short term and long term).
• Life and accidental death insurance.
• Pet insurance.

Employees love working at MLB because of its culture of growth, teamwork and professionalism, and successful employees take initiative, identify problems, provide solutions and put the team first.