Maximize esports profits, minimize taxes, and avoid legal pitfalls!
When you hit your big break, make sure you maximize it with help from our experienced esports lawyers. We provide eagle-eyed contract review, legal, and tax advice to esports athletes, sponsors, investors, and teams.
- More than 10 years of experience in esports law
- All-in-one solution for your legal needs, taxes, and more
- Personalized support and clear, honest guidance
Reliable Legal and Tax Guidance for the Esports Industry
The average professional esports player is between 15 and 25 years old. Without an experienced legal guide, it’s easy to get taken advantage of.
Gordon Law helps you cut through the red tape and stay protected. Explore our full suite of esports services below.
Esports Essentials
Business formation is a must for professional esports teams, and a smart strategy for professional players.
Forming your business correctly is key to protecting your assets and minimizing your esports player taxes.
Our business formation services include:
- LLC formation
- C-corp formation
- S-corp election
- Offshore business formation
- Customized operating agreement or partnership agreement
- Trademark, copyright, and intellectual property services
- Ongoing annual report and registered agent services
If you’re not sure where to register your business or which entity is right for you, we’ll provide clear guidance for your unique situation.
Effective business contracts must be clearly defined and enforceable. In the world of esports, that means laying out:
- Equipment agreements
- Payment amounts and payment schedules
- Insurance issues
- Sponsorship and endorsement parameters
- Conduct expectations
- Schedule expectations
- NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) rights
With years of experience negotiating esports contracts on all sides, Gordon Law can help you maximize your profits and protect what matters most to you!
In the esports industry, intellectual property (including logos, videos, photography, and product designs) may be your most valuable asset. We help you protect it!
If you need help with copyrights, trademarks, IP licensing rights, or resolving an intellectual property dispute, our attorneys have you covered.
Enjoy peace of mind knowing you have an experienced lawyer on hand to handle any legal questions you may have, both professional and personal. Outside general counsel services are an affordable option for esports players or organizations that don’t have the need or budget for in-house counsel.
Additional Services
The terms of service and privacy policy for your website can offer protection in the unfortunate event of legal disputes. As digital privacy becomes increasingly important (and increasingly regulated), neglecting these documents could leave you vulnerable to lawsuits.
Although cookie usage is typically included in your privacy policy, online marketers may wish to create a more comprehensive cookie policy for extra protection. Our experienced esports lawyers can help with all of these essential legal documents!
Esports Sponsorship Contracts:
Endorsement deals can be a fantastic revenue source for professional players. But be warned: sponsorship deals can also be obscenely restrictive, profit-stealing nightmares if not done correctly.
Before any esports contract is signed, it is in the interest of athletes and teams to consult with an experienced esports lawyer. An attorney with an eye for legal trickery can pick apart the document to ensure you’re getting a fair, solid deal.
Marketing Regulations for Esports Sponsorships:
When promoting any products or services, esports players and teams should be aware of marketing laws. Saying the wrong thing or failing to disclose material relationships could lead to penalties or even an FTC lawsuit. Invest in an advertising compliance review to avoid these legal headaches!
NIL Rights for Esports Players
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights are an extremely valuable asset for esports players. Whether you’re ready to sign onto a team or considering a sponsorship deal, you need an esports lawyer with experience in this niche.
Collegiate esports athletes now have the opportunity to benefit from their NIL rights. Our team is well-versed in NIL compliance, helping esports players navigate the new regulations and maximize their earning potential while maintaining their NCAA eligibility. We’ll guide you through the entire process, from understanding the rules and limitations to reviewing and negotiating your NIL deals.
Do you want to protect your personal wealth against lawsuits, debt collections, and divorce proceedings? Asset protection can do just that! We’ve helped many entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals achieve peace of mind by forming an offshore asset protection trust.
Mergers and acquisitions can help a business achieve exponential growth. You can buy another business in its entirety or acquire specific assets like websites, email lists, and social media accounts. Or, maybe you’re ready to sell your esports business and enjoy the profits.
Our esports lawyers have handled more than $65 million in M&A transactions, and we can help you navigate a deal of any size!
If you’re advertising any cryptocurrency projects, NFTs, or dApps, you need to be extra careful with advertising and marketing compliance. Crypto influencers can be sued by the SEC as well as the FTC, and the industry is under heavy scrutiny. Contact Gordon Law to avoid red flags in your crypto advertising!
In addition, if your business accepts cryptocurrency payments, we can provide full-service crypto accounting and tax services.
Photo credit: OpTic Gaming / Hector Rodriguez
Case Study: OpTic Gaming Reacquisition
We helped Hector “H3CZ” Rodriguez, founder of the iconic esports company OpTic Gaming, reacquire his business in 2020.
Special Considerations:
- Managing OpTic’s intellectual property in the deal
- Obtaining approval from the Call of Duty League
What Can An Esports Lawyer Do For You?
The esports law team at Gordon Law works with esports athletes, teams, sponsors, and investors on contract negotiations, mediations, and tax planning. We also act as agents on behalf of professional players and teams, with a strong focus on maximizing profit.
We’ve been working in esports law since 2014 and have represented large organizations as well as individual players, so we understand how to help both sides succeed. Our holistic approach, informed by years of experience, boosts your revenue and protects you from liability at every turn.
Most importantly, we’re committed to providing personal, prompt attention to each and every client. With Gordon Law, you not only have experience on your side, but a dedicated, passionate team of attorneys and accountants you can always rely on.
Photo credit: Team Status Quo / Michael Chaves
“Andrew and his team have been saving me that extra dollar for 5 years now! I remember constantly looking for the right accountant and once we crossed paths, I never looked back.“
– Michael Chaves (Flamesword)
Professional Esports Player and Team Owner
Who Needs an Esports Lawyer?
In the world of esports, Gordon Law serves:
- Professional and collegiate esports players
- Professional esports teams or leagues
- Professional tournament and event organizers
- Investors, sponsors, and brand partners
How Much Does an Esports Lawyer Cost?
The initial retainer for corporate matters is typically $5,000-$10,000, depending on the specific circumstances. Schedule a consultation to learn more and receive a custom quote!
Ready to protect your esports earnings?
For more than 10 years, we’ve helped esports players, teams, investors, and organizations keep more of what they earn. Schedule your free consultation today and find the answers you need!
