Professionals

Dave Greenspan

Partner

Co-Chair, Sports Practice

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.

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

A Team Co-led by Winston & Strawn Negotiates a Landmark Antitrust Class Action Settlement with the NCAA and Its Power 5 Conferences

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 (2018–2025) and as “Leaders in Their Field” and “Up & Coming” for Sports Law (2015)
Am Law Litigation “Litigator of the Week Shout-Out” (March 21, 2025) for successfully arguing against DraftKings’ motion to dismiss the right of publicity claims asserted by MLB Players Incorporated
The Best Lawyers in America®—Selected by his peers for Sports Law (2019–2026)
Benchmark Litigation US—Recognized as a “Litigation Star” (2023–2025) and on it’s “Under 40 Hot List” (2016)
The Legal 500 US—Recognized for Antitrust Civil Litigation/Class Actions: Plaintiffs (2025), as a “Leading Partner” for Sports Law (2010, 2018, 2021–2025) 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 (2023–2026); “500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers” (2025); “500 Leading Global Leaders in Crisis Management” (2025); “500 Leading Global Litigators” (2025) and “500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers” (2025)
The Hollywood Reporter—Recognized as a “Top 33 attorney for A-list athletes, teams and leagues” (2025)
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)
Super Lawyers—Recognized (2023–2024) and listed as a “Rising Star” (2014–2015)
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)

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.