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Master of Studies in Law
Sports, Entertainment and Arts Law

Pitt Law’s Online MSL With a Specialization in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law

Today’s rapidly changing and increasingly intersecting sports, entertainment, and arts industries present similar legal issues, involving labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, and commercial transactions law. To become a standout leader in any of these synergistic sectors, professionals need legal skills, knowledge, understanding, and connections. That’s why Pitt Law created the Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law (SEAL) specialization for the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) online.

The MSL with SEAL specialization is a degree designed for a wide variety of professionals working within the constantly changing industries of media and entertainment. As more and more content morphs and migrates across platforms including streaming services, social media, and mobile apps, it’s crucial for individuals working in these synergistic sectors to know how to negotiate contracts, manage intellectual property, limit liabilities, and address organizational and transactional legal issues. Explore this unique MSL specialization to see how Pitt Law can elevate your career in today’s complex sports, entertainment, and arts landscape.

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Program Brochure

Are you considering a master’s degree in law or a graduate certificate to take your career to the next level? Pitt Law’s Master of Studies in Law online program is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their careers with a versatile alternative to the traditional three-year JD degree. The certificate programs are ideal for those who are not currently looking to pursue a master’s degree.

Complete the form to get a program brochure for Pitt Law’s Online MSL plus your chosen specialization, or your chosen certificate program, delivered to your inbox.

What Can You Do With an MSL with a Specialization in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law?

Diverse Group of Professional Businesspeople Meeting in the Modern Office Conference Room

Knowledge of labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, and commercial transactions law can be helpful to professionals in all corners of the sports, entertainment, and arts industries. Consider a career like Michael Jordan’s. Jordan began his career as a star athlete before he expanded into athleticwear, starred in several movies, and has owned stakes in various sports teams as well as businesses across industries.

Stand apart from your colleagues as the go-to resource elite professionals growing their careers and for navigating some of the most common legal questions encountered in your field.

Art director checking the photos on a monitor
$82,5101
Producer
Producers are the business and financial decision-makers for plays, movies, TV shows, and other creative productions. The MSL with SEAL specialization can provide individuals working in production with critical knowledge regarding contracts, labor laws and intellectual property that will help their productions run smoothly and avoid legal issues with talent, crew, vendors, and more. Become more effective at negotiating resources, needs and timelines, and stand out as a producer with a mind for creative development and business coordination.
Business partners and colleagues shaking hands at work cooperation
$120,1002
Agent or Business Manager of Athletes, Entertainers, or Artists
Agents are the professional representatives for their clients’ careers. A solid foundation of legal knowledge can serve an agent well whether they work within the sports, art, or entertainment world–or a mix of the three. An MSL plus the SEAL specialization will help agents provide clients with the best support during contract negotiations and give them a better understanding of the law for working as a liaison between clients and their legal or financial teams.
Athletic Director meeting with an associate in a sport arena
$100,0343
Athletic Director of School or Amateur Athletics
Many athletic directors begin as coaches before rising into the ranks of administration. Once they’re working as the head of an athletic program, however, they’ll encounter a great deal more responsibility than team performance. Tasked with hiring, budget management, fundraising, and resourcing, there are dozens of contracts to negotiate. Should legal issues arise, athletic directors are often held responsible as the primary consulting party and spokespeople. Additionally, as governance around college athletes rights to sponsorship, broadcasting deals, and more continue to change, knowledge of intellectual property, copyright, and other areas of law will be crucial for advising young athletes.
Smiling businessman discussing business with colleague in office
$73,9394
Nonprofit Executive
Nonprofit executives lead and oversee departments including operations, finance, marketing, and more, depending on the size and structure of their company. When it comes to the law, nonprofit leaders especially need to be abreast of governance around funding, taxes, and labor. With many nonprofit organizations also working in support of the arts, the SEAL specialization could also be helpful for providing knowledge to non-lawyer executives that handle intellectual property and copyright issues.
Confident African American female posed facing the camera in business attire
$95,3405
Business Director
Business directors are leaders who work day-to-day to make sure an organization meets its sales, financial, and other goals. Within the sports or entertainment industries, a business director might guide production budgets, look for new opportunities for business growth, pursue sponsorship and collaboration opportunities, and negotiate project contracts. This flexible role requires flexible skills like the legal acumen gained in the SEAL MSL program.

*Total annual compensation as of December 12, 2023.

Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Specialization Courses

Upon completion of 15 credits of core courses that make up the Online MSL program, you will complete 15 credits in the Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law specialization. The SEAL specialization consists of five courses designed by experts working within directly within the industries:

  • Introduction to the Law and Business of Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law (3 Credits)
  • Labor & Employment Law in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts (3 Credits)
  • Intellectual Property in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts (3 Credits)
  • Organization, Finance & Distribution Law in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts (3 Credits)
  • Special Topics in Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law (3 Credits)

View Full Curriculum

Interested in a Quicker Path to Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law Certificate Education?

Explore the Online SEAL Certificate Program

Steve Tanzili headshot
Meet SEAL Professor Steve Tanzili
Steve Tanzilli has more than 15 years of industry experience in the sports, arts, and entertainment field. Having earned his JD at the University of Pittsburgh, it’s exciting to have Tanzilli return to the law school as an adjunct professor. Tanzilli also serves as the dean of Point Park University’s School of Business and was a co-founder of Point Park’s Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management program.

In addition to his roles in academic instruction and administration, Tanzilli is also president of the Sports Legends Group, a full-service professional athlete/celebrity management firm that represents many professional athletes and celebrities regarding marketing, finance, and legal matters. Tanzilli has provided direct oversight for numerous sports and entertainment-related events and projects, including serving as the development and marketing director for the $5 million Ryan Clark Sickle Cell Center. His background also includes 12 years of experience with 141 Worldwide Sports and Entertainment where he worked in close contact with high-end clients on a daily basis such as Coca-Cola, 84 Lumber, Sunoco, TOPPS, ESPN, and Kraft Foods. Tanzilli has worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Johnston Steel Baseball Club, and other organizations. He has served as director of marketing for the Pittsburgh Triathlon and the Pittsburgh Adventure Race for many years.

Earn a Degree That’s In Sync With Your Career Goals

Earn your MSL online with a specialization in Sports, Entertainment and Arts Law to gain a keen understanding of the labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, and commercial transactions law that you need for the modern age of business.

Embrace the new playbook for sports, entertainment, and arts management professionals with the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Forge ahead.
Contact an Admissions Outreach Advisor
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Spring 2025 Admissions Deadlines

Dec
9
Priority Deadline
December 9
Spring 2025
Jan
6
Final Deadline
January 6
Spring 2025
Jan
13
Start Date
January 13
Spring 2025

Sources

  1. Retrieved on November 22, 2024, from bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/producers-and-directors.htm
  2. Retrieved on December 12, 2023, from bls.gov/oes/current/oes131011.htm
  3. Retrieved on December 12, 2023, from ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/High-School-Athletic-Director-Salary
  4. Retrieved on December 12, 2023, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Executive_Director%2C_Non-Profit_Organization/Salary
  5. Retrieved on December 12, 2023, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Business_Director/Salary