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Charlie Baker

Co-Chair, Entertainment, Sports and Media Group, Sidley

Charlie Baker, often referred to as Chuck Baker, is a prominent attorney specializing in sports and entertainment law, currently serving as the Co-Chair of the Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group at Sidley Austin LLP. His extensive career spans several decades, during which he has represented investors and franchises across various professional sports leagues.

Professional Background

  • Current Position: Co-Chair of the Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group at Sidley Austin LLP since May 2022. In this role, he focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and venture capital transactions within the sports and entertainment sectors.134
  • Previous Experience: Before joining Sidley, Baker held significant positions at other leading law firms including O'Melveny & Myers LLP and DLA Piper. He co-chaired the Sports Industry Group at O'Melveny and has been involved in high-profile transactions across major leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS.234

Notable Achievements

Baker has been recognized for his expertise in sports law by multiple prestigious publications:

  • Named to Sports Business Journal’s "Power Players" list in 2021.
  • Recognized as a "Sports & Betting MVP" by Law360 in 2020.
  • Featured in The American Lawyer’s “Dealmakers of the Year” in 2019.14

He has played a pivotal role in landmark deals such as the record-setting purchase of the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion and the acquisition of minority stakes in teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.4

Education and Community Involvement

  • Education: Baker earned his Juris Doctor (JD) from Cornell Law School.
  • Community Engagement: He actively serves on boards for organizations like the March of Dimes and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law and a distinguished lecturer at NYU's Tisch Institute for Sports Management.14

Baker's reputation as a knowledgeable and effective transactional lawyer has made him a key figure in the sports law landscape, where he continues to influence significant developments within the industry.

Highlights

Oct 23 · twitter.com
Sidley Austin LLP on X: "Join Sidley partner Charles Baker ...
Aug 14 · sidley.com
Sidley Partner Chuck Baker Discusses Sports Lawyers and Team ...
Apr 18 · POLITICO
Healey blasts Trump over offshore wind - POLITICO - POLITICO
Sep 19 · POLITICO
Mayoral mayhem - POLITICO - POLITICO
Mayoral mayhem - POLITICO - POLITICO
May 16 · sidley.com
Prominent Sports Industry Partners Charles “Chuck” Baker and Irwin ...
Prominent Sports Industry Partners Charles “Chuck” Baker and Irwin ...

Related Questions

What are some of the most notable deals Charles Baker has worked on?
How did Charles Baker transition from being a staff associate for Senator Bill Bradley to a career in sports law?
What makes Charles Baker stand out in the sports and entertainment law field?
Can you provide examples of Charles Baker's work with professional sports franchises?
What are Charles Baker's contributions to the March of Dimes and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society?
Charlie Baker
Charlie Baker, photo 1
Charlie Baker, photo 2
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Experience

Co-Chair, Entertainment, Sports and Media Group at Sidley Austin LLP (May 2022 - Present)
Advisor at The Players' Impact (September 2019 - Present), Co-Chair, Sports Industry Group at O'Melveny & Myers LLP (January 2017 - May 2022), Partner: Global Media, Sport & Entertainment at DLA Piper (May 2010 - December 2016), Partner at Paul Hastings (1992 - 2010), Associate at Paul Hastings (1991 - 1992), Associate at Latham & Watkins (1989 - 1991), Associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (1985 - 1989), Staff Intern at Senator Bill Bradley (January 1981 - August 1981)

Education

JD from Cornell Law School

Location

Brookline, Massachusetts, United States