No “madness” here! As fans turn their attention to college basketball this month, Hofstra Law’s Sports and Entertainment Law Society and Black Law Students Association are keeping their eyes on their own prize. In an event jointly hosted by the organizations, more than 25 students attended a panel discussion with leaders from the legal team at BSE Global, the parent company for the Brooklyn Nets, NY Liberty, and the Long Island Nets.
The panelists, Wendy Li, vice president and senior counsel, and Malcolm Evans, vice president and senior counsel M&A, shared their professional journeys with the Hofstra Law students, and provided career advice to assist them in achieving their goals in the sports and entertainment law field. Afterwards, the students enjoyed a match-up between the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns. 
Deeper Understanding of Practice Area
Two 1L students in attendance, Mariah Williams and Sydney Farkash, felt inspired by the panelists, as it reinforced their interest in this area of study.
Networking Opportunities Within Reach
Hofstra Law’s Centers, departments and organizations plan hundreds of events each year dedicated to providing networking opportunities for students, which is a real advantage of attending a student-centered institution.
“You never know where a conversation can take you at a networking event,” said Farkash. “One of the panelists earned the job after networking with his current supervisor at an event, which was really inspiring.”
Both Farkash and Williams encourage students to get involved in organizations and participate in as many opportunities like the panel as possible. “The organizations at Hofstra Law are always sharing links of different events that are taking place that may be of your particular interest,” added Williams.
Cutting-Edge Courses in Sports, Entertainment Law
Hofstra Law offers a sports law focus through its course that focuses primarily on the law as applied to professional sports and, more specifically, the operations of the major professional sports leagues. Major areas covered include the business of sports; the role of the league commissioner; negotiation and enforcement of athletes’ contracts; antitrust problems of sports leagues; protection of league, team and player intellectual property rights; and employment discrimination.
The Entertainment Law seminar surveys various legal issues behind the transactions in the entertainment industry and aims to give students a practical overview of practicing law in an entertainment space. Topics of the course include current and foundational transactions that continue to shape and form music, film, television, and digital media norms.
Additionally, the Sports and Entertainment Law Society hosts an annual symposium on topics related to current events and industry standards, and in 2024 featured a panel related to NIL rights.
Dreaming Big at Hofstra Law
The panel, co-moderated by 2Ls Anthony Simon and Isabella Schaetzle, is one example of demonstrating what a Hofstra Law education affords graduates. With countless experiential learning and networking opportunities both in New York City and Long Island, Hofstra Law students can achieve a legal career in almost any field of study that interests them.
For Williams and Farkash, their goals are set on the pros – as in-house counsel for a renowned team close to home.
“I am a huge NY Islanders fan and my family has had season tickets for more than 50 years, so they are a large part of my family’s legacy. An opportunity to combine both my passion for sports and law within an organization that is so near and dear to my heart would be a dream,” said Farkash.
As a Miami native, Williams grew up watching the Miami Heat reach the championship. “I would love to represent the Heat, but another alterative in entertainment would be to represent a gospel artist. That’s the genre of music I listen to most, and I believe that would be an awesome experience. I believe I will have the necessary skills required to effectively help me progress in either law field.”
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