Focus Areas
- Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
- Revenue Models
- Conference Realignment
- Naming Rights
- Media or Broadcasting Rights
- Licensing Agreements
- Sponsorship Agreements
- Hotel Buyouts and Activations
- Player Health and Wellness
- Coaching Contracts
- NCAA Compliance and Investigations
- Internal Investigations
- Head Coach Disciplinary Matters
- Title IX Litigation and Investigations
Erica specializes in several critical issues driving the business of sports. Fueled by a passion for impactful work, Erica has a strong background in professional basketball and collegiate athletics. She leverages her superior knowledge and strategic thinking to achieve the best possible outcome for clients.
Professional Basketball
Erica served as Chief Operating Officer for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) during a transformative time for the players union. She partnered with other NBPA leaders on player health and wellness initiatives that facilitated the NPBA’s mission to protect, support, and amplify the voices of NBA players. Erica’s role at the NBPA afforded her unique visibility into the business of basketball, including CBA negotiations, basketball-related income, NBA All-Star weekend, group licensing, the NBA draft, sponsorships, naming rights, and the NBA Global Games.
When the NBPA moved its union operations from Harlem to New York City, Erica managed the day-to-day construction of the NBPA's state-of-the-art headquarters, premiere event space, and elite training and conditioning facility for NBA players. Erica was part of the leadership team that managed the activation of NBPA One Court, bespoke events and experiences curated for NBA players during the NBPA’s annual summer meeting and the NBPA winter meeting that coincided with NBA All-Star Weekend.
Collegiate Athletics
Erica's passion for impactful work drew her to collegiate athletics. She was Chief Legal Officer for the Big Ten Conference and the University of Mississippi, a member institution in one of the Power Five athletic conferences. Erica has a deep understanding of coaching contracts and licensing, sponsorship, and media rights agreements.
Erica has engaged the NCAA on significant compliance and sanctions matters. She had a lead role in retooling the arguments that ultimately compelled the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee to reverse a sanction against a football program that restricted unofficial visits. This favorable ruling marked the end of a protracted six-year NCAA investigation.
Collegiate Athletics
Erica has also conferred with university presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors on several issues that will alter the amateur model of collegiate athletics in the end: NIL payments, NIL legislation, the payment of education-related benefits, and the NIL class action and concussions cases pending against the NCAA and Power Five athletic conferences. Erica has prepared congressional testimony regarding NIL and attended the pertinent senate hearing. She has also engaged television network executives and collaborated with the commissioners and counsel for the various Power Five athletic conferences. As seismic and unprecedented shifts continue to rock collegiate sports, Erica leverages her exceptional strategic thinking to drive impactful solutions.