Shirin Malkani Named Co-Chair of Firm’s Sports Industry Group

Shirin Malkani has been named co-chair of Perkins Coie's Sports Industry Group. She joins partners Stewart Landefeld and Jamie Schafer in leading the group.

Shirin, a senior counsel in New York, joined the firm in September from Buzzer Media, a start-up offering curated moments in live sports on mobile devices, where she was Chief Commercial Officer. She has served the sports industry in both legal and business roles and was previously a senior vice president of Global Media Distribution for the National Basket Association (NBA).

While at the NBA, Shirin led global business development for digital products and cross-platform content relationships of the NBA and NBA Development League. She also managed the P&L for domestic digital business, including all digital content distribution, NBA TV 24/7 cable network, NBA League Pass subscription product, and other direct-to-consumer content offerings available on 15+ digital platforms.

"As a technology lawyer with deep experience handling sports-related transactions, Shirin is right at the center of the convergence of sports and technology," said John Delaney, Vice Chair of the Technology Transactions & Privacy Practice. "As our clients wrestle with how to integrate sports and other live events into their online streaming platforms, video games, virtual reality environments, and the metaverse, Shirin will be there to provide invaluable guidance and insights."

"We are thrilled that Shirin is joining as co-chair, with her inside-the-league experience at the NBA and deep experience in negotiating content agreements for various media participants, who share content with consumers," said Stewart Landefeld. "Our sports practice-representing teams, owners, NCAA members and other sports parties-relies on getting sports events and content to consumers, and Shirin brings new energy to that effort."

Perkins Coie serves as a trusted advisor to the world's most competitive and admired teams as well as innovative companies entering the sports ecosystem through new platforms or emerging technologies. The firm has helped clients on some of their most urgent issues, ranging from critical contract negotiations, stadium concerns and insurance, to product counsel on next gen technology. Clients include major league teams, league franchises and owners, stadiums, universities and colleges, sports betting, media platforms, e-sports platforms, and technologists.