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Industry
Winston has one of the world’s premier sports law practices. Our work has included some of the most famous legal matters in sports history—including Alston v. NCAA, the case that culminated in a 9–0 Supreme Court victory for the college players against the NCAA; the US$2.15B Los Angeles Dodgers acquisition; McNeil v. the NFL, the landmark antitrust jury trial that led to the establishment of free agency in the NFL; the multi-billion-dollar construction and permanent financings for SoFi Stadium; and Morgan v. USSF, the case that led to a historic equal pay settlement for the players on the Women’s National Team. Our work is transforming this global, multibillion-dollar industry.
Practice Area
Trial skills matter—even in a world where few disputes ever see the inside of a courtroom. Winston has built a reputation as a trial lawyers’ firm, featuring seasoned litigators who leverage extensive courtroom experience to meet our clients’ business and legal objectives. Our long history of taking cases to trial—and winning—provides our clients with tremendous settlement leverage with their adversaries, as well as a substantial likelihood of a favorable resolution if, and when, they go to trial.
Experience 1 result
Experience
|August 31, 2022
Pursuant to the NFL–NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Winston successfully represented NFLPA in a widely followed arbitration challenging the unprecedented discipline recommended by the NFL for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson—an indefinite suspension of no less than a full NFL season of 17 games. After a week-long evidentiary hearing, Judge Sue Robinson rejected the NFL’s proposed discipline and imposed a six-game suspension, which, as Winston argued, was the result required to achieve fair and consistent treatment. The NFL appealed. Ultimately, a settlement was reached for an 11-game suspension— far less than the NFL’s proposed discipline.
Insights & News 72 results
In the Media
|August 6, 2025
|1 Min Read
Jeffrey Kessler Profiled in Bloomberg Law for Pioneering Work in Sports Antitrust Litigation
Winston & Strawn Co-Executive Chairman Jeffrey Kessler was featured in a Bloomberg Law article spotlighting his decades-long leadership in sports antitrust litigation. Described by Bloomberg Law as the “GOAT” at the intersection of sports and law, Jeffrey has led landmark cases that transformed the sports industry.
Recognitions
|January 20, 2025
|2 Min Read
Winston & Strawn Wins Three 2024 Law360 Practice Group of the Year Awards
Winston & Strawn secured three Law360 Practice Group of the Year awards in 2024 for Competition, Securities, and Sports & Betting. This annual accolade series “honors the attorney teams behind litigation wins and significant transaction work that resonated throughout the legal industry this past year.”
Press Release
|July 26, 2024
|4 Min Read
Class includes hundreds of thousands of college athletes, eligible to receive payments averaging more than $100,000 in some categories
Other Results 1 result
Location
Winston & Strawn’s New York office opened in 1989 and has since grown to become the firm’s second-largest location, with 225+ lawyers distributed across 16 practice areas. Based in the iconic MetLife Building above Grand Central Station in Midtown Manhattan, our New York lawyers represent 80+ Fortune 500 companies from the city’s business epicenter. Our New York attorneys are tenacious and insightful, and they reflect the rich tapestry of New York City, with lawyers from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives working closely to support each other's success and achieve their clients' goals. Several of our firmwide employee networks are chaired by New York attorneys. Our New York office’s welcoming and collaborative atmosphere can be seen through numerous office-wide events, including volunteer opportunities, gatherings to connect over food and drinks, wellness event pop-ups, and annual entry in the NYC Lawyers Basketball League. Creating a connected and supportive setting for attorneys and business professionals fosters camaraderie and encourages all of us to work harder for one another and our clients.