Legal Counsel

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is one of the fastest-growing professional sports leagues in the U.S., powered by 16 clubs and a deep roster of the world’s best players, and built on record-shattering fan, media and commercial growth. Now in its 13th season, the league’s momentum continues to accelerate, with viewership and attendance numbers growing rapidly, social media fandom on the rise, team valuations massively increasing and new top sponsors investing in the NWSL brand. This unprecedented growth in audience, media reach, and franchise value reflects the NWSL’s expanding fan base and increasing dominance in the sports-media landscape and popular culture. The future of the NWSL is now — and we’re looking for world-class talent like you to help us continue the momentum. The Role As we continue to expand and elevate the profile of professional women's soccer in the United States, we are seeking to fill a Counsel role on our Legal team. This individual will provide day-to-day legal support across a broad range of matters and collaborate closely with internal departments and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and proactive, with the ability to independently manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated attorney to gain experience in a dynamic legal and business setting while contributing to the continued success and integrity of the League. What You Will Own & Drive Support the VP, Legal in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements, including national sponsorship, media, licensing, live events, vendor, consulting, and non-disclosure agreements. Conduct legal research and assist with issues related to intellectual property, including trademark and copyright management. Support data privacy and compliance initiatives by advising on data collection practices and relevant regulations. Contribute to the development, review, and interpretation of League policies, rules, and procedures. Assist with insurance, risk management, and compliance-related matters as needed. Provide legal support on League governance matters, including board meetings, ownership transactions, and expansion initiatives. Help improve internal legal workflows and processes, including contract templates and knowledge management tools. Participate in cross-functional projects and provide general legal support as assigned. What You Will Bring Core Qualifications Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar. 4+ years of relevant experience in a law firm and/or in-house legal department, ideally with experience in sports, entertainment, media, or general commercial matters. Strong legal drafting and communication skills, with a practical and solution-oriented approach to legal issues. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with accuracy and efficiency. A team player with a collaborative mindset and strong interpersonal skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Google Docs). Willingness to work nontraditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed. High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information. Preferred Qualifications Experience in professional sports, entertainment, or media rights. Experience working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment or a startup-like atmosphere where processes are still being defined. Our Investment in You In addition to working in an incredible, inclusive, and committed-to-diversity culture, we offer: Competitive Compensation: $170,000 - $190,000 (Salary is contingent upon candidate qualifications and functional business needs). Time & Flexibility: Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), sick days, and an end-of-year office closure. Hybrid Work Model: Three days in-office and two remote days per week. Robust Health Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Mental Health benefits for employees and dependents. Financial Future: 401k with employer match and safe harbor contributions. Additional Perks: Commuter benefits, Short/Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Gym On-Site, and Voluntary Pet Insurance. Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion The NWSL is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are deeply committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. All employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, compensation, and termination—are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)