New York Jets Retain TurnkeyZRG to Lead General Counsel Search

July 30, 2024 – TurnkeyZRG was recently retained by the New York Jets to lead the search for a new general counsel. Len Perna and Shelly Scott are leading the effort. The Jets are seeking an experienced, hands-on general counsel to lead and manage the team’s legal department and serve as a partner to key stakeholders within the organization and in the league office. Reporting to the team president, the successful candidate will be a business-savvy commercial attorney with experience managing a wide range of negotiated transactions, in the context of team promotion, stadium revenue streams, technology deals and media alliances, and who is also able to competently handle matters relating to employment law, intellectual property, compliance and risk management.

The General Counsel is a key member of the Jets’ leadership team and will be seen as providing experienced and sound business judgment and legal advice to the organization, TurnkeyZRG said. They will provide expert and practical legal analysis and advice to support the team and its stakeholders on a variety of legal issues, including but not limited to labor and employment, intellectual property, marketing, privacy and tax, with the aim of anticipating and mitigating potential risks while balancing business objectives.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with a preference for 15+ years of legal experience, as well as a Juris Doctorate from an ABA accredited law school. They must be licensed and in good standing to practice law in New York and/or New Jersey or licensed and in good standing in any state with the ability to obtain an in-house credential in New Jersey. Additionally, TurnkeyZRG notes that candidates should have experience in the sports, entertainment, or similar industry, either in-house or with a reputable law firm. They should also have a demonstrable passion for the sports and entertainment industry and a natural desire to stay abreast of evolving trends and business strategies that drive the team forward.

Candidates should also have strong transactional expertise, including structuring, drafting, negotiating and the ability to close significant transactions, as well as the advanced relationship management and people skills needed to position the team and deal for success. Previous experience in corporate, governance, employment, intellectual property, licensing, real estate and/or other business legal disciplines is a strong plus.

The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York City metropolitan area. Founded in 1960 as the New York Titans, the team joined the American Football League (AFL) prior to the AFL–NFL merger in 1970. The team was renamed the Jets in 1963. The team is currently based in Florham Park, NJ, and plays its home games at MetLife Stadium, which they share with the New York Giants.

Founded in 1996, TurnkeyZRG is a specialized talent acquisition/executive search firm that fills C-level, senior-level and mid-management positions in sports, media and entertainment. Over the past 25 years, the firm has filled over 1,400 positions. TurnkeyZRG helps teams, leagues, stadiums, arenas, theaters, college athletic departments, events, sponsors, agencies, media companies, private equity firms and other clients identify, recruit and hire top executive talent.

Related: TurnkeyZRG Leads CFO Search for Pac-12 Conference

Mr. Perna is the founder, chairman and CEO of Turnkey. He has over 30 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with senior management experience in sales, event marketing and management, sponsorship, venue feasibility and development, facility operations, licensing and legal. Since founding Turnkey, Mr. Perna has performed over 1,400 executive search functions.

TurnkeyZRG Recruits Commissioner for Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
TurnkeyZRG recently assisted in the recruitment of Travis Tellitocci as the fourth commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). He replaces Rich Ensor, the longest-serving NCAA Division I multi-sport conference commissioner. “Throughout the search process, Travis demonstrated that he is an emerging leader in college athletics and is well-suited to build upon Rich Ensor’s incredible success,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, Niagara University president, who also serves as president of the MAAC. “The MAAC has never been stronger and Travis’ breadth of experience will be critical as we address the challenges of Division I athletics, strengthen our focus on the well-being of our student-athletes, increase the inclusivity of their experiences and build upon the conference’s storied legacy.” Mr. Tellitocci comes to the MAAC from the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), where he served as assistant commissioner for football, basketball and refereeing for more than six years.

Ms. Scott joined ZRG in 2020 as a managing director in the healthcare and life sciences practices. With 10 years of executive search experience, she has led searches from chief legal officer and chief compliance officer to vice president of risk management, privacy, investor relations, government affairs, technical operations and performance improvement.

General Counsels in Sports

A general counsel for a professional sports team manages the team’s legal and business affairs. They are often the only lawyer in the room and work in competitive environments where they must balance legal responsibilities with other factors. Executive recruiters tell Hunt Scanlon Media that general counsel must be trusted advisors who can recognize the risks of getting too close to owners and executives and who can withstand intense media scrutiny. They must also have a strong moral compass and be able to read situations to ensure the organization is following the rules while addressing underlying issues.

According to Indeed, general counsel are involved in many areas of the sports business, including venues, media, sponsors and merchandise. They work with business teams to understand their goals, identify legal risks and propose solutions that balance both interests. As the commercial value of sports has increased, so has the need for more commercial contracts, regulation and governance.

Related: TurnkeyZRG seeks CFO for the San Francisco 49ers

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor in Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media