Overview
Scott Zolke takes a unique approach to his practice assisting institutional and talent clients in media, entertainment, sports and intellectual property law.
With extensive experience working with television, radio and digital media companies, coupled with his experience as a former college athletic administrator, Scott offers deep insight representing both professional and college sports teams in the negotiation of media rights and corporate agreements. He also handles acquisitions and sales of media properties and programming and other intellectual property assets.
I work closely with clients to really understand the ins and outs of their business — to become a true extension of their teams and a partner in helping achieve their goals.
In addition to his work with sports teams, regional sports networks and national broadcasters on complex sports media rights deals, Scott’s active sports practice includes negotiation of venue, sponsorship and naming rights agreements. He has also represented sellers and purchasers of professional sports franchises and has served as an instrumental partner in the development, financing and construction of major league sports teams’ stadiums and arenas, working with team owners and investors to achieve their business objectives as well as the local municipality’s economic goals. Scott has worked with teams in the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL and other major leagues.
Scott’s diverse media practice includes representation of a number of television production companies, with a special emphasis in the nonscripted business. He has also negotiated several high-profile radio programming acquisitions on behalf of leading on-air personalities, including Rick Dees, Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, Ryan Seacrest and Dr. Laura Schlessinger.
Scott’s practice also extends to the music industry. He has experience working with music festivals across the nation in transactional and litigation matters. Additionally, Scott handles a substantial amount of intellectual property matters, including name and likeness exploitation, branding and licensing.
In his free time, Scott is an avid surfer and snowboarder. He played college football at Georgia Tech and later became the school’s associate director of athletics and counsel.
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Drug Testing: A Legal and Technical Update
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2012 Nashville Screenwriters Conference
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D.
- Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S., With High Honors
Bar Admissions
- California
- Illinois
- Georgia
Recognition
- Named "Southern California Super Lawyer" in Entertainment & Sports by Thomson Reuters (2018 and 2021)
- Named in The Legal 500 US in Sports (2017, 2023 and 2024) and Media and Entertainment: Transactional (2022-2024), published by Legalease Limited and John Pritchard
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Named "New Star" by Lawdragon 500 (2006)
Affiliations
- Member, California State University Channel Islands Foundation Board