In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why consent is becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets in entertainment, media, and sports. As technology continues transforming how content is created, distributed, licensed, and consumed, consent has evolved beyond a legal requirement into a strategic business advantage that increasingly shapes commercial relationships across the industry.

Jeremy discusses how artificial intelligence, intellectual property, contracts, publicity rights, name, image, and likeness (NIL), licensing, and digital content are redefining the importance of transparency, trust, and permission. The episode explores how businesses, creators, athletes, and rightsholders can better protect their interests while navigating rapidly evolving technologies and business models.

As entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law continue converging, consent is becoming the foundation upon which modern content businesses are built. Understanding how contracts, technology, and trust intersect provides valuable insight into why the organizations creating the greatest long-term value will be those that earn, negotiate, protect, and clearly define consent.

(Season 8, Episode 27).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses why consent has become one of the most valuable commercial assets in entertainment, media, and sports, and why contracts, technology, and trust will shape its future.

Consent is the foundation that content is being built upon.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

It was once that consent in the entertainment business was an afterthought in the viewing, advertising, and distribution of content. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), parental guidance, and cost controls were once the only thing standing between what people watched. Much of that is still true today, but with the expansion in streaming platforms there are now many options to reach people and with it rules and responsibilities for consent.

Requirements for consent in advertising also became more important when legislation and streaming and social media platforms gave people more control and choice in what to watch. Consent, however, is two-sided, separated by money and actual consent. Simply put, what someone pays and what someone chooses in their settings and preferences.

Entertainment, media, and sports have always depended on consent. Today, consent is no longer simply a legal requirement. It is becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets because every new technology makes it easier to use, recreate, distribute, and monetize another person’s work, likeness, voice, or identity. Entertainment, media, and sports companies are competing for content and the rights to use it and consent to reach audiences.

Meta’s AI dispute illustrates the challenge for the entertainment business today. The powerful generative artificial intelligence tools now allow lay people to create content, which is great, but also potentially harmful to copyright owners. Meta's proposed Instagram tool raised concerns that it could facilitate unauthorized uses of copyrighted works by allowing AI-generated content to resemble or incorporate protected material without appropriate licensing or another legal defense. Legally, the aforementioned is not a strong legal foundation and almost certainly infringement without licensing or some other defense.

AI is accelerating the conversation by making consent for use and reach even more important. AI simply makes it easier to both create content and reach people. Therefore, the companies that build trust through consent, clear disclosure, and approval will gain a long-term competitive advantage. Fortune favors the bold, but also the honest, consistent, and truthful.

The trend in consent extends well beyond AI. Consent applies to athletes and sports properties, specifically NIL licensing. Publicity rights, music catalogs, digital replicas, creator economy agreements, and sports media rights are increasingly subject to AI recreation and require clear consent for their use. Consent is the foundation that content is being built upon.

Contracts and digital terms and conditions have become even more important in the consent age of content. Contracts will increasingly need to define what parties have consented to, and for how long, and what happens when a dispute arises. Future agreements should address AI training, digital replicas, voice, image, data, and future technologies. Companies will not be able to rely on the “everyone else is doing it” justification as the courts and law catch up with technological advancements. Technological advancements are great for innovation, but eventually modernization is met with reality in use and the law.

Companies creating the greatest long-term value will not necessarily be those with the best technology. The most successful entertainment and sports companies will be the ones that earn, negotiate, protect, and clearly define consent. Consent is no longer simply about avoiding liability. It is increasingly becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets in entertainment, media, and sports.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans takes listeners inside the business of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and explains why the tournament has become one of the world’s largest sports businesses. While billions of fans are watching the matches, executives, broadcasters, sponsors, host cities, and media companies are participating in one of the most successful commercial enterprises in global sports.

Jeremy discusses how FIFA generates revenue through media rights, sponsorships, licensing, hospitality, and prize money while examining the economic impact on broadcasters, advertisers, host cities, tourism, and the growing content economy. The episode also explains how FIFA distributes prize money to participating national football associations and how those funds support player bonuses and football development.

As sports, entertainment, media, business, technology, and law continue converging, the FIFA World Cup demonstrates how a global sporting event can become one of the world’s most successful business models. Understanding the business behind the tournament provides insight into how value is created, who benefits economically, and why there are two stories to every World Cup: who wins the trophy and how billions of dollars move through the global sports economy.

(Season 8, Episode 26).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans takes readers inside the business of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, comparing it to other major sports and explaining the five reasons it has become one of the biggest business events in the world.

There are two stories to the World Cup. The first is who wins the trophy and the second is how billions of dollars move through the global sports economy and who captures the value.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

While billions of fans are watching the matches, thousands of executives are watching the money. The World Cup is not simply the world's largest sporting event. It is the world's largest sports business. The only thing separating FIFA’s World Cup from other major sports like the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL is that it occurs every four years for one month, not annually over a six-month season.

With FIFA expanding the field of teams from 32 to 48 in 2026, every goal creates economic activity far beyond the pitch. There are two stories to the World Cup. The first is who wins the trophy, and the second is how billions of dollars move through the global sports economy and who captures the value.

At the outset, FIFA gets paid first. FIFA owns the copyright to its name, broadcast and streaming rights to games, media related to the tournament, sponsorships, ticketing, licensing, and hospitality. FIFA’s control over broadcast and media rights creates scarcity, which increases price, exclusivity, and general interest. Imagine being the National Football League, but also being commissioner of the league and owner of each team. FIFA is expected to generate approximately $13 billion in revenue during its 2023-2026 commercial cycle, driven largely by the month-long 2026 World Cup. By comparison, the NFL brings in $23 billion annually and is played for six months. Similarly, the NBA is about $12.5 billion, MLB is $12.1 billion, NHL $7-8 billion, and MLS $2.5 billion per year.

The downside to the World Cup is that the venues switch every four years, meaning the costs can fluctuate drastically. For example, there have been reports that the World Cup has considered expanding to 64 teams and hosting again in the United States in 2038. The World Cup in North America has been the most successful because of the matches and social media, but also because no new venues have to be built. The tournament has also highlighted the beauty of the Americas and the United States.

Broadcasters and advertisers also buy attention. The World Cup is one of the few live events that still gathers massive live audiences, making it valuable for television, streaming, advertising, and subscriber retention. Viewership has broken records with 20-30+ million people watching each match with total viewership for the tournament to surpass 5 billion people.

Sponsors as advertisers are also doing more than buying attention. Where nations are concerned, advertisers are buying into patriotism, culture, storylines, and access to a global audience. The World Cup provides brands with an opportunity to reach audiences and cultures they otherwise might not. FIFA’s firm grip on sponsorship and disallowance of non-paying brands (e.g., Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA) only helps brands looking for more recognition by clearing the plate of competitors and placement.

Another part to the World Cup’s economic footprint is that host cities have become marketplaces for trade, commerce, and fun. Hotels, airlines, restaurants, security, transportation, staffing, and local businesses all participate in the economic activity around the event even if the business is not sponsoring. The host cities are tourist departments for encouraging travel to see the Americas. People of the world might be seeing the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the first time.

The individual matches are also content engines within themselves. Each clip and comment has the potential to go viral. The World Cup with the help of social media engagement has changed American interest in the game. Games create highlights, podcasts, newsletters, social clips, betting content, data products, merchandise, creator stories, and opportunities.

The USA's performance in the tournament will only increase engagement and interest the further the team goes. There is something about nation-versus-nation competition that brings people together unlike almost anything else. On the field, countries compete for a championship. Off the field, the World Cup has become one of the most successful business models in global sports.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why identity is becoming one of the most valuable commercial assets in sports and entertainment. As artificial intelligence increasingly enables a person’s voice, likeness, image, movement, and persona to be recreated, replicated, and commercialized, contracts are evolving beyond traditional performances to address publicity rights, licensing, and digital identity.

Jeremy discusses how these developments are influencing negotiations across Hollywood, professional sports, collegiate athletics, media, and the broader creator economy. The episode explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, publicity rights, intellectual property, and name, image, and likeness (NIL), while considering the legal and business questions surrounding consent, ownership, digital replicas, and future technologies.

As sports, entertainment, media, and technology continue converging, the conversation is shifting from what someone creates to who controls their identity. Understanding how contracts evolve to protect, license, and commercialize identity may become one of the defining legal and business issues of the next generation.

(Season 8, Episode 25).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans examines why identity is emerging as the next battleground in sports and entertainment, as artificial intelligence reshapes contracts, publicity rights, and the commercial value of a person's voice, likeness, and persona.

The thing with AI is that it can recreate what is human and that is what makes it valuable, enterprising, and alarming.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

The essence of a person is their identity. How a person looks, speaks, and thinks. A person’s identity has always been valuable. In Hollywood and sports, there is an increasing call to digitize actors and athletes for their identity to be used currently or at a later date. Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is making identity even more valuable because talent can now be recreated, replicated, and commercialized. Performance is increasingly being replaced (or assisted) by the ability to replicate identity and performance, changing what is negotiated in entertainment, media, and sports agreements.

It is seemingly less costly to create and use a digital asset than a physical asset (or person). That economic reality explains why studios, leagues, and technology companies increasingly seek contractual rights to use a person’s identity beyond the original performance. Collective bargaining agreements, individual contracts, and publicity rights laws all play a role in protecting an actor’s or athlete’s identity unless those rights are specifically licensed. A further limitation is a moral or even a market-based question. Should a person’s persona be able to be licensed completely for future works (whether living or deceased)? Who owns the digital version of a person after the original performance has ended? Will the market accept such artificially generated works?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a recent dispute between a studio and child actors raised the question of whether a minor could sign away their identity or publicity rights. Although the question in that matter is specific to someone under 18 years old signing a contract and making lifelong decisions, which is important to decide, the broader question is distinguishing between generative artificial intelligence and human identity. More specifically, how such rights and responsibilities are negotiated in contracts.

The dispute is not simply about AI-generated voices. It is about the change of contracts themselves. For decades, sports and entertainment agreements focused on performances and creative works. Increasingly, they are governing something far more personal: identity.

It might not be that an “AI” disclaimer is the answer to all questions regarding content origins. Signing away your identity raises moral and responsibility questions. The questions must be asked: Can someone meaningfully license a digital version of themselves? Should AI rights be perpetual? How should contracts address future technologies that do not yet exist? Are minors capable of consenting to rights that may have lifelong commercial consequences? What protections should exist for voice, likeness, movement, and other identity attributes?

Hollywood and sports are already confronting this shift. Studios are negotiating AI voice and digital replica rights with actors, while SAG-AFTRA has secured contractual protections governing consent and compensation for AI-generated performances. James Earl Jones licensed the future use of his iconic Darth Vader voice, illustrating that a person's voice has become a valuable licensable asset. In sports, NIL agreements, EA Sports' licensing of thousands of college athletes for its video game, athlete avatars, motion capture, and AI-generated content all demonstrate that contracts increasingly govern not only performances, but the commercial use of an individual's identity. The common thread is that voice, likeness, image, and persona are becoming among the most valuable assets in sports and entertainment.

In each case, the negotiation is shifting from “What did you create?” to “Who are you, and who controls your digital identity?” The answers to those questions are what distinguishes between human and AI. The thing with AI is that it can recreate what is human and that is what makes it valuable, enterprising, and alarming. However, without guardrails, it possibly makes humans less valuable in the digital age as physical beings, but possibly more valuable as digital assets. The change is alarming because it diminishes the importance of the finality of life and death and lowers the distinction between what is authentic and what is synthetic.

It is one thing to license future use of a person’s identity or likeness. It is another to license future use of a human’s identity or likeness with the assistance of AI. Contracts are one avenue to regulate the use. It may also take public policy and legislation to insert restrictions. It may also be that the marketplace for ideas and content will self-regulate by people through their purchase power establishing preferences for people and things that are presented in real time and without assistance.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines why the next major challenge facing college athletics is not athlete compensation, but the governance and enforcement of name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Jeremy discusses the rapid development of NIL, the role of the NCAA and College Sports Commission, and the growing need for consistent oversight, compliance, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. As NIL opportunities continue to expand, questions surrounding enforcement, deal valuations, recruiting, and institutional accountability have become increasingly important.

The episode also explores the legal and business implications of NIL governance and why the future of college sports may depend on who creates, interprets, and enforces the rules.

(Season 8, Episode 24).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses why the current battle in college athletics is not athlete compensation, but the enforcement and governance systems that will ultimately determine the future of NIL.

The NCAA is not an entrepreneurial entity that can take more risk and move swiftly. Expecting the NCAA to act as something it is not is without reason and unrealistic.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

Name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) is here stay. For better, worse, and best, NIL (pronounced “N” “I” “L”, not nil, the word for no goals in soccer), is not going away. Pandora’s box has been opened and it will be nearly impossible to take back the pay system.

What remains is the enforcement of NIL, college student-athletes, coaches, recruiters, athletic departments, and sponsors/brands/advertisers. The question around enforcement is the most important topic and question in college sports. Most have accepted the idea that NIL is a permanent system.

However, much like the point in history when free agency was gained by professional athletes for the first time, the essential idea became not free agency, but how free agency would be managed. What are the rules and responsibilities for each side? What are the policies? What are the consequences and remedies? Most importantly, who enforces the rules, laws, and policies?

In NIL’s current phase, there is much debate around not only the rules of business, but also who enforces violations of the rules. Recent disputes involving NIL deal valuations, transfer portal recruiting, and booster involvement demonstrate the difficulty. The challenge is often not determining whether a rule exists, but deciding who investigates, who decides, and what penalties apply. Without a settlement of the rules and enforcement, litigation will continue at an unsustainable rate. Litigation causes confusion and inconsistency before a court decision and sometimes a decision after as well.

In the past, this column addressed the need of a centralized entity and commissioner beyond the NCAA to handle NIL and money management as a business system. The NCAA was created as a nonprofit entity to enforce rules with an importance on education. To ask the NCAA to now become a central clearinghouse or enforcement entity on a much large scale is not only unwise, it is unfair to the NCAA, athletic institutions, athletes, coaches, and fans.

Remember, the NCAA was once tasked to enforce a no tolerance policy: no money or value going to athletes for any reason outside of scholarships and health benefits and no hiring of an agent. To go from that to essentially pay for play through both NIL and the House settlement (providing a share of school revenue with the athletes of a minimum of $20.5 million dollars and rising over the next decade) is the complete opposite mission. The NCAA is not an entrepreneurial entity that can take more risk and move swiftly. Expecting the NCAA to act as something it is not is without reason and unrealistic.

Relying on Congress although helpful, might not be the best decision. Much like taxes and federal regulation: once it gets introduced and implemented, it is more likely to be increased, and less likely decreased, and even less likely, removed all together. Federal legislation may provide clarity, but it could also create additional layers of regulation and unintended consequences. It may be self-regulation through the creation of policy, process, and enforcement that is best pathway forward. The College Sports Commission or some CSC+ entity, to follow Hollywood’s love for adding a plus (“+”) to an existing, but renewed streaming platform, needs to be given teeth and power to review and possibly enforce. It is possible that rules agreed to by the universities and conferences could be reviewed or investigated by the CSC and enforced by the NCAA that would also allow for dispute resolution and appeals.

Power in college sports requires money and resources. The CSC has issues with reviewing NIL deals because it does not have the resources (or arguably the enforcement power) to do the work completely and thoroughly. The challenge is that enforcement requires both authority and resources. Any successful system must be viewed as independent, transparent, and consistent by universities, athletes, conferences, and fans alike. The rules agreed to must address Title IX, the transfer portal, contracts, financial valuations and limitations, and employment law. Some of these rules decisions and enforcement will of course invite litigation, but it would be much better to fight for a cause unified as one as opposed to divided.

Every mature industry eventually develops compliance, enforcement, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. NIL is simply entering that stage. The debate is no longer whether athletes should be compensated. The debate is whether college sports can create a credible and durable system to govern that compensation. If it cannot, courts, legislators, and outside stakeholders will continue filling the void. The universities, NCAA, and athlete leadership would be wise to meet and host meetings and conferences to solve the issues facing its business immediately as opposed to relying on time to pass, litigation, or legislative efforts to solve its problems.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines the rapid rise of the creator economy and its growing influence across the sports and entertainment businesses. As athletes, entertainers, teams, leagues, media personalities, and content creators increasingly build direct relationships with audiences through digital platforms, traditional models of media, marketing, and brand engagement continue to evolve.

Jeremy discusses how content creators, social media platforms, and emerging technologies have expanded opportunities for individuals and organizations to control their own narratives, develop personal brands, and generate new revenue streams. The episode explores the shifting dynamics between traditional media companies and independent creators, as well as the growing importance of audience engagement in a digitally connected marketplace.

The discussion also addresses the business implications of creator-driven content, including sponsorship opportunities, intellectual property considerations, influencer marketing, athlete and entertainer entrepreneurship, and the changing expectations of consumers. As the creator economy continues reshaping sports, entertainment, and media, stakeholders throughout these industries may need to consider how innovation, authenticity, and audience connection will influence the future of content creation, commerce, and fan engagement.

(Season 8, Episode 23).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans examines how the creator economy is reshaping the sports business and why the future of sports media may belong to those who connect most directly with their audiences.

The truth is, the current market for ideas has never been bigger. The age of today is one of massive amounts of information. The problem is setting aside the time to research versus scrolling aimlessly.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

~

The creator economy is comprised of 200+ million individual social media influencers, former or active professional athletes, actors, and in general, people with a following that help drive or share the news, products, and advertising. These influencers, as a broad title, can also work for major companies, distributors, and news networks, but because of social media can have individual reach into their digital communities beyond the employer or brand partner. Social media, in other words, has leveled the playing field on how news is distributed and consumed.

Entertainment, media, and sports organizations historically relied on hired broadcasters, newspaper distribution, and radio to get the message out to people. Today, the creator economy may consist of writers, podcasters, and other personalities that are often independent and without oversight. The people themselves are the newsmakers.

One result of the individual as the newsmaker or news sharer is that it has created a fragmented environment for fans and the general public. People cannot access information in one or three places, but many places. A person could hear the news from X, Instagram, Facebook, or some other social media platform, while also watching the news on one of those platforms or a streaming platform.

People today often trust personalities of the newsmakers and news sharers more than institutions and in many ways the trusted personalities that were once the face of a traditional network or business have separated themselves to become independent. There is now a further step occurring where professional sports teams, college athletic departments, and other established businesses have partnered with trusted personalities to reach targeted audiences. It is a reversal of power where the personality drives the engagement that the network craves.

Sports provides several examples of this shift. Athlete-led podcasts, creator-driven sports brands, and independent digital media companies have demonstrated that audiences increasingly follow trusted personalities as much as they follow leagues, teams, and networks. What began as alternative programming has evolved into a meaningful part of the sports media landscape. The result is that creators are no longer simply covering sports. They are becoming influential participants in the sports media ecosystem.

The fragmentation is a concern for consumers, but the cost is still less than cable and watching habits have changed. People purchase cable less, but stream more live sports, movies, and series. The result is that there is a lower-cost for audience acquisition and greater engagement than traditional advertising. There are also new sponsorship and revenue opportunities because social media, podcasting, and streaming platforms have created new opportunities in their ecosystems. The personalities become strategic partners rather than marketing vendors, which creates more trust between the “promoter” or “sponsor” and the consumer.

Creators taking on the news making and news sharer roles comes with its challenges as well. For example, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines require disclosures and added responsibilities for influencers. There are also intellectual property considerations involving the use of league footage, team trademarks, athlete likenesses, and sponsored content. As creators become businesses unto themselves, contractual rights and ownership of content become increasingly important. Second, there is the concern of being first with less thought towards being right. However, the creator economy independent personalities are not without guardrails. "Community Notes" on various platforms along with fact-checking, and in general the public and other feedback and commentary does create a fairer environment to news, ideas, and sponsorships.

The truth is, the current market for ideas has never been bigger. The age of today is one of massive amounts of information. The problem is setting aside the time to research versus scrolling aimlessly.

The future of sports media may be defined less by who owns the broadcast rights and more by who connects directly with the audience, authentically. Success will belong to organizations and talent that understand audience behavior, consumer interests, and legal risk. Networks have never needed talent more than they do today as creators continue to build independent businesses and communities. In today's sports economy, audience trust may be one of the most valuable assets of all.

~

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans is joined by Sahzad Banth, Principal Commercial Counsel at Medallion and a technology attorney whose experience includes leadership roles at Braze, Sumo Logic, and Yext.

Jeremy and Sahzad discuss the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on businesses, legal departments, sports organizations, and professional services. The conversation explores how organizations are implementing AI tools, evaluating emerging technologies, and balancing innovation with privacy, governance, and regulatory compliance.

The discussion examines the differences between leading AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini, and Perplexity, while also addressing the practical realities of AI adoption, data protection, contract management, and enterprise risk. Jeremy and Sahzad also consider how AI is transforming legal operations, commercial transactions, sports analytics, and workplace productivity.

As artificial intelligence continues reshaping industries around the world, organizations, professionals, and students are increasingly challenged to understand both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with these technologies. This episode provides practical insights into how businesses can approach AI strategically while remaining focused on governance, confidentiality, and long-term value creation.

(Season 8, Episode 22).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE. 

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses how executive leadership in sports and entertainment continues to evolve as organizations increasingly operate as media companies, technology companies, and global brands.

The most successful organizations may not simply have the best executives, but the right mix of executive roles.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

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Professional sports organizations, including those at the collegiate level through athletic departments, are no longer homegrown sporting endeavors led by one owner and limited staff. Sports organizations are no longer just community institutions either. Sports organizations are clearly financial assets that require investment of not only on-the-field talent to win, but highly-skilled and varied front office talent. The talent in front offices for both sports organizations and entertainment organizations (sometimes one in the same) require a series of c-suite executives that includes a: Chief Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer, Chief Data Officer, Chief Content Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Strategy Officer.

The titles may change from organization to organization, league to league, and country to country, but the principle of good and modern sports and entertainment management is still the same. The sports and entertainment business is always changing and so must the skills of leadership. Specifically, what talents are needed and why.

Historically, sports organizations were focused on competition, operations, and revenue. The movie and television business has followed much of the same process, except in entertainment it is competition for content as opposed to sport and the fight is among studios not franchises. Although, a good studio and team require the same things for success: great talent and great content (e.g., product on the field or screen) and sometimes good content is a franchise, pun intended.

The titles and talents needed in sports and entertainment has changed because of media fragmentation (more streamers), technology integration (artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the platforms that make up streamers), data-driven decision-making through the use of AI and analytics, and new forms of capital and investment where franchises are clearly a vehicle for financial gain and growth.

Today, skills like strategic thinking, cross-functional leadership, technology fluency, media and content understanding, and partnership development are required for competency and success. A sports and entertainment connoisseur or causal fan or even professional expert must recognize that there was far less competition in the past, fewer reasons to be distracted, and less access to public knowledge. The internet and social media have changed the way people socialize and engage with each other and content. There are more streamers and sports and content now than ever before. You might argue with the value or level of such content or talent, but nonetheless there is more. Sports and entertainment organizations are now media companies as much as they are content and talent cultivators.

Looking ahead, the most successful organizations may not simply have the best executives, but the right mix of executive roles. The definition of a sports executive will likely continue to evolve alongside sports, entertainment, and media businesses. The modern sports organization and or entertainment studio (even agents, lawyers, and law firms) resemble diversified business structures of people and entities rather than pure sports operations. As an example, the author negotiated an investment deal five years go with a well-known sports organization for an investment into a new league in a completely different sport, which is not something that the industry would consider normal twenty or even ten years ago.

Traditional leadership roles such as owner, president, commissioner, athletic director, and general manager are now being added to with other roles or the people in those roles have cross-functionality, knowledge, and skill. In college athletics, many of the professional sports roles are being adopted by the colleges because of NIL and the House settlement. AI has only increased the competition in entertainment and thus more skills and acumen are needed. As sports and entertainment organizations increasingly resemble media companies, technology companies, and global brands, the question is no longer whether executive roles are changing, but which roles will matter most in the years ahead and who will manage the future landscape best.

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About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

In this episode of the California Sports Lawyer® Podcast, host Jeremy Evans examines the growing professionalization of youth sports and the increasing financial, time, and emotional investments being made by families in youth athletics. As travel teams, private coaching, year-round competition, specialized training, and expanded opportunities continue reshaping the youth sports landscape, families are facing new questions about participation, expectations, and long-term value.

Jeremy discusses the evolution of youth sports from primarily community-based activities into a highly competitive and increasingly commercialized environment. The episode explores the factors driving rising costs, including expanded programming, greater competition, and the growing visibility of athletic pathways at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.

The discussion also addresses the balance between parental involvement and independence, the realities of athletic development, and the importance of approaching youth sports with intention. As youth athletics continue evolving, families, coaches, and sports organizations may need to consider how opportunity, accessibility, and the original purpose of sports can coexist in an increasingly competitive environment.

(Season 8, Episode 21).

Listen in as award-winning attorney and industry leader Jeremy Evans navigates the fine print on the biggest topics and most interesting legal angles in entertainment, media, and sports law. The top entertainment, media, and sports podcast is streaming on all major platforms!

You can listen to the podcast, HERE.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.  

About Bleav:

Bleav (pronounced believe) is a sports and entertainment studio and nationwide sports network. From athletes who played for the teams to passionate experts on topics you want to hear, Bleav is the #1 podcast network for professionals and fans. With 500 shows, 800 hosts with a combined 50M followers, 1000 hours of original content per month, and networks covering NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAAF, NCAAB, SEC, NHL, soccer, pop culture and more, Bleav is your destination for creators and fans of sports, teams and topics. Every Team. Every Topic. Everywhere! We Bleav in our teams, topics, and professionals. #DoYouBleav!?

Copyright © 2026.  California Sports Lawyer®.  All Rights Reserved.

In this week’s column, California Sports Lawyer® CEO and Managing Attorney Jeremy M. Evans discusses the professionalization and pricing of youth sports and how families can navigate the growing investment of time, money, and expectations in youth athletics.

The decision is not to stop playing youth sports, but rather to participate in sports, and anything else in life, with intention.

You can read the full column below. (Past columns can be found, here).

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Parents have the equally difficult but fantastic role of raising children. When their children are blessed with athletic talent, there is an opportunity to train and eventually have a professional career. However, most youth sports participants, just like most high school and college athletes, do not make it to the professional level. Most professional athletes do not have lengthy careers, become an All-Star, win a championship, or get inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The point of sports is to compete and win. However, the process of getting to victory and staying victorious in sport is just as important. Sports also provide community, test one’s abilities, and foster physical, mental, and social development.

At what point do youth sports become too expensive and/or produce diminishing returns? Parents often wrestle with how involved they should be, how much they should encourage their children to compete, and which sports their children should pursue. Parents of course want to see their children become successful in all of their endeavors.

There is, however, a balance between guidance and independence. Parents, coaches, and advisors often observe that the line between support and overinvolvement can become blurred when significant time, money, and emotion are invested in a child's athletic development. Push too hard and children will resent the insistence. If parents do not encourage or discipline enough, then the child has little direction. There is hope in the area between encouragement and discipline where the child has to make choices and strive for things they want. A mistake in all of this would be to assume that children can live the dreams of their parents, but the child does not want to take a predetermined path willingly.

Youth sports were once primarily community activities where children learned social skills, competition, teamwork, and had fun. Today, youth sports often require significant financial commitments, extensive travel, and year-round participation, while presenting a broader view of what athletic achievement may be possible. This is not an indictment of youth sports programming, particularly private programs, but rather an opportunity for parents and their children to reflect on why youth sports matter and what role they should play in family life.

According to a Project Play report by the Aspen Institute from March 2025, American families spend approximately $40 billion per year on youth sports, with 54-56% of children aged 6 to 17 participating. The cost to play youth sports per family increased 46% from 2019 to 2025. One explanation for this increase is that many families placed renewed value on sports participation and community engagement following the government restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The argument is that parents wanted to reinforce the community and competition of sports that government restrictions had shut down, which is understandable.

The spending increase may also be influenced by the growing visibility of name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) opportunities in high school and college athletics. While only a small percentage of high school athletes will benefit financially from NIL, its prominence has increased awareness of the potential economic opportunities associated with athletic success. That perception can further intensify competition and investment among families participating in youth sports, creating a trickle-down effect throughout the youth sports ecosystem.

Parents want more for their children, but often at an increased expense of money and time. Families and coaches should remember that talent, effort, and opportunity remain the primary drivers of athletic success. The athletes who ultimately reach and sustain professional careers are exceptionally rare, regardless of the amount of money spent on training, travel, or competition. Talent, effort, and perseverance are often the qualities that make athletic careers successful and sustain achievement in any profession.

The decision is not to stop playing youth sports, but rather to participate in sports, and anything else in life, with intention. Participation should be driven by development and enjoyment, not merely the pursuit of future opportunities. Parents making decisions for their children in sports should also consider the impact it has on the family, budget, time, and influence. A child’s interests and talents should be pursued, whether that is playing the piano, baseball, or pursuing acting. However, pursuit should not be at the expense of soundness, like a family’s financial stability, time commitments, other children, and overall well-being.

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About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.

California Sports Lawyer® is pleased to introduce The CSL Briefing, a new weekly publication from Jeremy M. Evans covering developments across entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law.

The CSL Briefing covers developments across entertainment, media, sports, business, technology, and law through commentary and analysis from Jeremy M. Evans, CEO & Managing Attorney of California Sports Lawyer®.

New editions will be delivered weekly with perspective on notable developments shaping the marketplace.

Subscribe to The CSL Briefing.

About Jeremy M. Evans:

Jeremy M. Evans is the Chief Entrepreneur Officer, Founder & Managing Attorney at California Sports Lawyer®, representing entertainment, media, and sports clients in contractual, intellectual property, and dealmaking matters. An award-winning attorney and industry leader, Evans is based in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California. He can be reached at Jeremy@CSLlegal.com. www.CSLlegal.com.

Copyright © 2026. California Sports Lawyer®. All Rights Reserved.