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  1. Professionals

Dave Greenspan

Partner

Co-Chair, Sports Practice

New York

+1 212-294-4616

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  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

An accomplished antitrust, sports, and complex-commercial litigator, Dave counsels clients on wide-ranging matters and represents them both at trial and on appeal. 

Dave Co-Chairs Winston’s top-ranked Sports Law Practice. One of the nation’s leading sports law litigators, Dave has litigated sports-industry cases involving antitrust law, labor law, licensing, agent regulation, active and retired player rights, and collegiate athlete rights. Dave has represented all four major U.S. professional sports players associations, myriad professional athletes and agents, and on occasion teams and owners in disputes with their respective leagues. He was trial and appellate counsel in the landmark Alston v. NCAA antitrust litigation, wherein the team prevailed at trial and that culminated in a widely reported unanimous Supreme Court victory. 

In the antitrust arena, Dave has litigated cases involving alleged cartels, monopoly and monopsony conduct, predatory pricing, price fixing, group boycotts, bid rigging, and other restraints of trade. His practice is balanced between litigation defense, litigation prosecution, and counseling. Representative defense work includes defending alleged cartel activities in multidistrict class actions, defending alleged monopolization under various federal and state antitrust laws, and defending companies in criminal and administrative proceedings brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and international competition authorities. On the plaintiff’s side, Dave has prosecuted group boycotts and other restraints of trade in the sports and entertainment industries, among others. Dave regularly counsels clients on antitrust matters, including implementing antitrust compliance policies, conducting antitrust trainings, and advising on day-to-day business issues.

Dave is part of the group recognized with GCR’s 2022 “Litigation of the Year: Cartel Prosecution” award for Winston’s historic unanimous Supreme Court victory for college athletes in Alston v. NCAA.

Key Matters

  • Alston v. NCAA — Trial, appellate, and Supreme Court counsel for classes of collegiate players in their landmark antitrust victory against the NCAA concerning its restraints on athlete compensation.
  • NFLMC v. NFLPA (Tom Brady) — Represented the NFLPA and Mr. Brady in arbitration and litigation challenges to discipline imposed on Mr. Brady in connection with so-called “Deflategate.” 
  • MLB Players Inc. FanDuel, et al. and MLB Players Inc. v. DraftKings, et al. — Represents the MLBPA’s licensing company in two right of publicity litigations against various online sports books regarding their misappropriation of MLB players’ identity rights.
  • Drabinsky v. Actor’s Equity Association — Represented Actor’s Equity in antitrust litigation with a producer.
  • House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA, and Carter v. NCAA — Represents classes of collegiate players in antitrust litigation against the NCAA concerning its restraints on name, image and likeness compensation.
  • Johnson v. NFLPA — Argued Second Circuit appeal affirming summary judgment for the NFLPA.
  • Job Creators Network v. MLB, MLBPA — Represented the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) in litigation challenging MLB’s decision to move the All-Star Game.
  • WME v. WGA — Represented William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in antitrust litigation against the Writers Guild of America.
  • In re Automotive Brake Hoses Antitrust Litig.— Represented Hitachi Metals, Ltd. in defense of bid-rigging claims.
  • Kaepernick v. NFL — Represented the NFLPA in connection with Colin Kaepernick’s collusion claim against the NFL.
  • NFLPA v. NFL (Saints “Bounty” Discipline) — Represented the NFLPA and certain NFL players in litigation and multiple arbitrations that resulted in all discipline being vacated.
  • In re Optical Disc Drives Antitrust Litig. — Represented Panasonic in defense of price fixing claims.
  • NBPA/NBA Player Litigations and Brady v. NFL — Represented NBA players and NFL players in their respective antitrust lawsuits challenging lockouts imposed by the NBA and NFL.
  • In re Refrigerant Compressors Antitrust Litig. — Represented Panasonic in defense of price fixing claims.
  • Thales v. Panasonic Avionics Corp. — Represented Panasonic Avionics Corp. in a matter in which Panasonic achieved summary judgment against claims of unlawful monopolization and predatory pricing.
  • Ferguson v. WPT Enterprises, Inc. — Represented seven of the world’s top poker players in an antitrust lawsuit against the World Poker Tour.
  • In re Dewey Ranch Holdings — Represented PSE Sports & Entertainment in James Balsillie’s bid to purchase and relocate the Phoenix Coyotes hockey franchise out of bankruptcy.
Recent Experience
Won Important Dismissal of Sherman Act Claims Against Actors’ Equity on Statutory Labor Exemption Grounds
Successful Resolution of Cleveland Browns Quarterback DeShaun Watson Arbitration Contesting NFL’s Unprecedented Disciplinary Recommendation

Dave has been recognized for his legal acumen by a number of publications:

  • Chambers USA—Ranked as one of the nation’s leading attorneys in Sports Law (2018–2024) and as “Leaders in Their Field” and “Up & Coming” for Sports Law (2015)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®—Selected by his peers for Sports Law (2019–2025)
  • Benchmark Litigation US—Recognized as a “Litigation Star” (2023–2025) and on it’s “Under 40 Hot List” (2016)
  • The Legal 500 US—Recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” for Sports Law (2010, 2018, 2021–2024) and as a “Key Lawyer” in for Antitrust: Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Defense (2022–2023)
  • Lawdragon—Recognized in “500 Leading Litigators in America” for Antitrust, Sports, Complex Commercial Litigation and Appeals (2023–2025); “500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers” (2025); and “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers” (2025)
  • Super Lawyers—Recognized (2023–2024) and listed as a “Rising Star” (2014–2015) 
  • AAI—“Antitrust Enforcement Award” for Private Litigation (2019, 2021)
  • Law360—Recognized as a “Rising Star” in its list of four “Sports Lawyers Under 40 to Watch” (2016)
  • Sports Business Journal—Recognized on the “40 Under 40” list as one of the top young executives in the sports industry (2014, 2016)
  • New York Law Journal—Recognized as a “Rising Star” and a top contributor to the practice of law and the community (2014)
  • Law360—Recognized as a “Rising Star” in its list of four “Media & Entertainment Lawyers under 40 to Watch” (2013)
  • Legal Aid Society—“Rights of Workers Pro Bono Award” for achieving summary judgment in a matter of first impression on behalf of  a low-income childcare worker (2004)

  • Dave serves on Winston’s Partner Compensation and Contingent Fee Committees, Co-Chairs the Sports Practice, and previously served as Chair of the Associate Evaluation Committee and as a member of the Racial Equity Task Force
  • Dave was a Law360Sports Editorial Advisory Board Member in 2016, 2018 and 2019
  • Dave formerly served as the chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Sports Law Committee

Capabilities

Litigation/Trials
Antitrust/Competition
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
Class Actions & Group Litigation
Sports

Key Matters

  • Alston v. NCAA — Trial, appellate, and Supreme Court counsel for classes of collegiate players in their landmark antitrust victory against the NCAA concerning its restraints on athlete compensation.
  • NFLMC v. NFLPA (Tom Brady) — Represented the NFLPA and Mr. Brady in arbitration and litigation challenges to discipline imposed on Mr. Brady in connection with so-called “Deflategate.” 
  • MLB Players Inc. FanDuel, et al. and MLB Players Inc. v. DraftKings, et al. — Represents the MLBPA’s licensing company in two right of publicity litigations against various online sports books regarding their misappropriation of MLB players’ identity rights.
  • Drabinsky v. Actor’s Equity Association — Represented Actor’s Equity in antitrust litigation with a producer.
  • House v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA, and Carter v. NCAA — Represents classes of collegiate players in antitrust litigation against the NCAA concerning its restraints on name, image and likeness compensation.
  • Johnson v. NFLPA — Argued Second Circuit appeal affirming summary judgment for the NFLPA.
  • Job Creators Network v. MLB, MLBPA — Represented the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) in litigation challenging MLB’s decision to move the All-Star Game.
  • WME v. WGA — Represented William Morris Endeavor Entertainment in antitrust litigation against the Writers Guild of America.
  • In re Automotive Brake Hoses Antitrust Litig.— Represented Hitachi Metals, Ltd. in defense of bid-rigging claims.
  • Kaepernick v. NFL — Represented the NFLPA in connection with Colin Kaepernick’s collusion claim against the NFL.
  • NFLPA v. NFL (Saints “Bounty” Discipline) — Represented the NFLPA and certain NFL players in litigation and multiple arbitrations that resulted in all discipline being vacated.
  • In re Optical Disc Drives Antitrust Litig. — Represented Panasonic in defense of price fixing claims.
  • NBPA/NBA Player Litigations and Brady v. NFL — Represented NBA players and NFL players in their respective antitrust lawsuits challenging lockouts imposed by the NBA and NFL.
  • In re Refrigerant Compressors Antitrust Litig. — Represented Panasonic in defense of price fixing claims.
  • Thales v. Panasonic Avionics Corp. — Represented Panasonic Avionics Corp. in a matter in which Panasonic achieved summary judgment against claims of unlawful monopolization and predatory pricing.
  • Ferguson v. WPT Enterprises, Inc. — Represented seven of the world’s top poker players in an antitrust lawsuit against the World Poker Tour.
  • In re Dewey Ranch Holdings — Represented PSE Sports & Entertainment in James Balsillie’s bid to purchase and relocate the Phoenix Coyotes hockey franchise out of bankruptcy.
Recent Experience
Won Important Dismissal of Sherman Act Claims Against Actors’ Equity on Statutory Labor Exemption Grounds
Successful Resolution of Cleveland Browns Quarterback DeShaun Watson Arbitration Contesting NFL’s Unprecedented Disciplinary Recommendation

Credentials

Education

Dave received a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2001, and a B.A., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania in 1998.

    Admissions
    • New York

    Related Insights & News

    • Panelist, Tulane University, Entertainment & Sports Law Conference, March 3, 2023
    • Speaker, 25th Annual Fordham Sports Law Symposium, March 11, 2022
    • Panelist, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Sports Law Symposium, February 2021
    • Co-author, “The NIL in Amateurism’s Coffin: How the NCAA’s Policy Reversal Shows Once Again That Compensating Student-Athletes Won’t Hurt College Sports,” Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law (August 2020)
    • Panelist, ABA Section of Antitrust Law Committee, Collusion in Sports (May 30, 2019)

    • Panelist, Update on Labor Relations, Sports Lawyers Ass’n (May 2019)
    • Panelist, ABA Trade, Sports, and Professional Associations Committee, “Hot Topics in Sports and Antitrust” (March 9, 2018)
    • Panelist, Fifth Annual Penn Law Sports Law Symposium, Sponsored by Penn Law, COP, and the Entertainment and Sports Law Society (February 9, 2018)
    • Panelist, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Tackling NFL Player Litigation: From Bountygate to Deflategate (February 6, 2018)
    • ABA International Committee Monthly Corporate Counsel Update (November 2017)
    • Panelist, NYU Law School Sports Law Colloquium (March 2016)
    • NYU School of Professional Studies, “Labor Relations in Sports,” Guest Lecturer, February 2016
    • University of New Hampshire, Professor Michael McCann’s Deflategate Course, Guest Lecturer, October 2015
    • William B. Bryant Inn of Court, “Deflategate Goes to Federal Court,” Guest Lecturer, October 2015
    • Panelist, NY State Bar Association Antitrust Law Section Annual Meeting, “Amateur in Name Only?  The Intersection Between Antitrust Law and College Athletics,” January 2015
    • NYU School of Professional Studies, “Labor Relations in Sports,” Guest Lecturer, December 2014
    • Panelist, CSE Sports Marketing Symposium, “College Sports: The Changing Relationship with Athletes and the Implications on Sports and Sports Marketing,” October 2014
    • Panelist, Federal Bar Council, “The Role of Federal Litigation in Governing Sports in the 21st Century,” September 2014
    • Panelist, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Sports Law Symposium, February 2014
    • CPI Antitrust Chronicle, Litigating Change in CollegeSports, Author, January 2014
    • Bloomberg TV, Market Makers, Discussing Alex Rodriguez lawsuit, October 2013
    • ABA Section of Antitrust Law: Cartel and Criminal Practice and Economics Committee, “The Economics of Collusion,” Moderator, July 2013
    Recognitions

    Winston Team Recognized in The Am Law Litigation Daily’s Litigator of the Week Column

    March 21, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers List

    March 7, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn’s Antitrust Work Shortlisted for Three GCR Awards 2025

    February 5, 2025

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers List

    January 30, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Wins Three 2024 Law360 Practice Group of the Year Awards

    January 20, 2025

    Recognitions
    Winston Team Led by Jeffrey Kessler Featured as Litigator of the Week

    October 11, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston & Strawn Recognized in 2025 Benchmark Litigation

    October 3, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Featured on the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America List

    September 6, 2024

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025

    August 15, 2024

    Press Release
    Hagens Berman and Winston & Strawn Seek Court Approval of Historic Settlement to Revolutionize College Sports

    July 26, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 U.S. 2024

    June 12, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in Chambers USA 2024

    June 6, 2024

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Litigation/Trials
    Antitrust/Competition
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    Class Actions & Group Litigation
    Sports
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