In the decade since its inception, the J.D. and LL.M. program in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law quickly became top 10 ranked, including annual high-level spots on Billboard's list of top places to study music law and in LL.M. Guide for sports law and entertainment and media law.
Innovative curriculum and expert faculty
Not only does the school offer a vast array of doctrinal and practice-based courses, but it also features over 30 innovative simulation-oriented courses taught by leading industry practitioners and faculty, whose expertise cuts across all program areas that teach transferable skills through the lens of the industry.
Miami's cultural and sports landscape
Major entertainment organizations, such as HBO, BBC, Spanish-language powerhouses Telemundo and Univision, and Universal Music Group Latin and Sony Music, have a presence in Miami. The city hosts international events such as Miami Music Week, Rolling Loud, F1 Miami Grand Prix, and Art Basel, attracting over 200,000 visitors and industry players annually. Home to the Pérez Art Museum Miami and Wynwood Walls, Miami is a city immersed in the arts.
Miami is also home to five professional sports teams, including the most popular MLS team, Inter Miami CF, featuring Lionel Messi. Of the 16 in-house lawyers for the five teams, 11 have graduated from the School of Law.
FIFA recently moved its legal and compliance headquarters to Miami and uses Miami as the headquarters for the 2025 North American Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, the Miami Hurricanes are among the nation's most recognized collegiate athletic brands, and the Orange Bowl annually features a college football playoff bowl game. In 2026, they will also host the national championship. All provide networking opportunities to help School of Law students stand out in a competitive field.
Robust network and placement achievements
Within the last year, current students continue to score impressive industry externships and summer jobs within industry-leading companies, including the NFL, Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, NBC Universal, TelevisaUnivision, FIFA World Cup, WNBPA, Inter Miami CF, Endeavor, LPGA, PGA Tour, Klutch Sports Group, Washington Commanders, NY Red Bulls, LIV Golf, Rolling Loud, Orange Bowl, Prize Picks, Fanatics, Dallas Stars, MLS, the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), Jacksonville Jaguars, and the National Women's Soccer League Players Association.
They are also securing roles in Big Law in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and more, including Sidley Austin, Holland and Knight, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Jones Day, Ropes and Gray, Kirkland and Ellis, Ballard Spahr, Fox Rothschild, Greenberg Traurig, and Blank Rome.
Students see industry success not just during their time in law school; success follows in full-time roles after graduation. Within the last eight years, graduates have secured full-time roles at Inter Miami CF, Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Creative Artists Agency, FIFA, Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, F1 Miami Grand Prix, Sidley Austin, Kirkland and Ellis, Pillsbury, Jones Day, Loeb and Loeb, Weil Gotschal, Holland and Knight, Greenberg Traurig, Ropes and Gray, Excel, Seattle Seahawks, NBCU, Gibson Dunn, Atlanta United FC, and many more.
Global opportunities in sports and entertainment law
For the second year, the program held the Player Licensing and International Games course in London to coincide with the NFL London Series. DeMaurice Smith, long-time NFL Players Association executive director and EASL Advisory Board member, led the course. The course was once again taught at Sidley Austin, including guest speakers from the NFL, NFL PA, Chicago Bears, and Sidley Austin, with unique site visits to Chelsea FC and Wimbledon.
The program offers a host of international opportunities, including the Comparative Sports and IP Law course in Florence, Italy, with the University of Florence, and the European Sports Law course with Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía-ISDE in Madrid, Spain. Each program complements classroom modules with site visits to Sony Music Madrid, Netflix Madrid, LaLiga EA Sports, Real Madrid, and ACF Fiorentina.
Adapting to industry trends
As the worlds of sports, entertainment, and the arts become more global and interconnected, programs like this are increasingly important for gaining a holistic and comparative understanding of the industry, the law, and the opportunities for collaboration that lie ahead.
The programs added seven new courses for the 2024-25 academic year, including Entertainment Law Transactions, taught by Jonathan Seiden, senior vice president and associate general counsel at Endeavor, and Kara Paldino, founder of Paldino Law; and Soccer Law with Emilio Garcia Silvero, CLO, FIFA; and Enric Ripoll, founder, ER Sports Law, joining the scores already in the curriculum.
Additionally, the program added a sports negotiations course led by Cliff Stein, longtime general counsel to the Chicago Bears, and Hal Biagas, chief operating officer and general counsel of Volor Sports Agency, which helps hone negotiation skills while preparing, selecting, and coaching top students at the national negotiation competitions. This year, the program had two NFL negotiation teams in the final four at the Villanova Football Negotiation Competition, the school's International Futbol Negotiation team finished in the semi-finals, and Miami Law’s team at the Athlete Endorsement Negotiation Competition finished in second place.
Tapping into local expertise
In addition, many prominent entertainment attorneys and companies based in South Florida allow the program to draw upon this local talent pool, many of whom make up the program's unique advisory board of visionaries in entertainment, art, and sports law. The law school attracts top local, national, and international experts, including Horacio Gutierrez, senior executive vice president and general counsel of The Walt Disney Co., one of the largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world; Emilio Garcia Silvero, chief legal and compliance officer for FIFA, who plays a crucial role in the governance and legal framework of international soccer; and Smith, the former executive director of the NFLPA, a key figure in labor relations within one of the most influential sports leagues in the United States.
NYC Company Crawl: Expanding horizons
The past academic year saw the launch of the inaugural University of Miami School of Law Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law NYC Company Crawl. Twenty-three third-year J.D./LL.M. and LL.M. students traveled to New York to visit MSG, ESPN, Sony Music, Endeavor, the American art collective MSCHF, Tiffany & Co., the NBA, and Jayaram Law. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for students to deepen their industry knowledge, strengthen their professional networks, and further their personal and career growth. The successful event also highlights the strength of the program's exceptional and committed practitioner community, including many from the advisory board.
Fostering negotiation skills and industry dialogues
The Counseling Creators Competition and Conference has completed its second year, building on the success of its inaugural event. The event brought together lawyers, executives, brands, and creators for a unique two-day negotiation competition.
This year, participation expanded significantly, with 20 teams comprising 72 competitors and 30 industry judges. The conference culminated in a final negotiation with teams representing Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia and the Unwell Network. During the preliminary rounds, students simulated negotiations involving notable figures like Paige Bueckers with Uber Eats and comedian Matt Rife with Liquid Death. Valuable feedback from judges provided practical insights to both competitors and observers alike.
The conference also included engaging panels tackling brand deals, influencer marketing, and the intersection of fashion and law. Additionally, discussions explored the implications of a potential TikTok ban, with leading experts debating the future of the creator economy. The event highlighted the evolving landscape of this industry. It fostered networking and collaboration among participants and judges alike, marking a significant advancement in the conference's mission to address the emerging needs of creators and the legal framework surrounding them.
Strengthening ties with FIFA
The program's collaboration with FIFA is thriving, and it is highlighted by exciting initiatives this spring. The FIFA Football Law Annual Review was successfully hosted on campus, reaching a global audience through livestreaming and video replay. Launching the Miami Law–FIFA International Football Law Summer Campus marks another significant step, offering a non-degree program aimed at global lawyers. The inaugural program is set to coincide with the upcoming Club World Cup, providing a unique opportunity for professionals in the field.
FIFA and Miami Law launched an official internship program for the 2025-2026 academic year, further strengthening the law school's ties to international football law and training the next generation of soccer industry professionals at the law school.
Additionally, School of Law students are gaining invaluable experience, with one securing an internship with FIFA for the 2026 World Cup. Others will volunteer with FIFA's brand protection team during the Club World Cup, while FIFA lawyers regularly engage as guest speakers in program classes and events.
The program has established itself as a leading institution, drawing upon the city's vibrant cultural landscape and robust industry connections to prepare students for successful careers. With ongoing innovations in curriculum and unparalleled networking opportunities, graduates are poised to lead in the dynamic fields of entertainment, art, and sports law.
Read more about Miami Law’s entertainment, arts, and sports law area of study.
