Sports law internships give students an edge
Tulane law/MBA student Kyle Wallace, who expects to graduate this year, handled contract research for Priority Sports from summer through the fall semester. (Photo by Ali Mansfield)
As an intern for Priority Sports, one of the country"s leading sports agencies, Tulane Law School student Kyle Wallace has gotten an up close look at how high-flying sports industry figures are represented.
Wallace spent much of last summer collecting and combing through college coaches" contracts to build a database of perks that could be used in negotiating terms on behalf of the agency"s clients. When the firm was helping secure the Cleveland Cavaliers head coaching job for client David Blatt, Wallace"s role was to contact freight transporters to get Blatt"s household moved from Israel to the U.S.
“Providing practical experience and networking opportunities is an integral part of the Tulane Sports Law Program.”—Professor Gabe Feldman, director, Sports Law Program
During the fall semester, Wallace juggled classwork with continuing assignments for Priority Sports" new Coaches, Front Office & Broadcasters Division, which is led by 1995 Tulane Law School graduate Mike Tannenbaum.
“There"s nothing like marrying a world-class education and practical education in the field,” said Tannenbaum, who came to Tulane for its Sports Law Program and joined the New York Jets after law school, rising to general manager in 2006â“12.
Wallace, who expects to finish a dual JD/MBA degree this year, was among more than 20 Tulane Law School students who landed summer jobs in sports management and marketing, thanks to a burgeoning network of alumni and other key connections. Placements included the Major League Baseball Commissioner"s Office, the San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards and NCAA Enforcement Services.
Professor Gabe Feldman, director of the Sports Law Program, said the internships are designed to equip students with experience, exposure and contacts.
Third-year student Marshall Rader, for example, has parlayed connections into enviable opportunities: He helped former NBA player and New Orleans Pelicans analyst Stephen Howard with statistics, then landed internships with the Spurs and National Basketball Players Association. This fall, he"s been away from school working in the Indiana Pacers" front office.
“Providing practical experience and networking opportunities is an integral part of the Tulane Sports Law Program,” Feldman said.
Linda P. Campbell is Tulane Law School"s director of communications.
