Zak D. Welsh

Partner

Zak has a broad-based transactional practice based out of ArentFox Schiff’s San Francisco office, with an emphasis on clients in the sports, entertainment, media and technology, and hospitality industries.

Zak Welsh Portrait

While Zak has extensive experience in a wide variety of transactional areas, his practice focuses on a number of key industries and competencies: Sports, Entertainment, Media & Technology, Real Estate, Corporate, and Hospitality, each as further described below.

Sports, Entertainment, and Media & Technology

Experience

Zak has represented professional sports franchises, owners and operators of professional sports and entertainment venues, and corporate sponsors in connection with a broad array of transactions in the sports and entertainment industries, including:

  • Naming rights agreements
  • Sponsorship agreements
  • Advertising and promotional agreements
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Recent Notable Transactions

  • Represented the California State University, on behalf of its San Diego State University campus, in a long-term stadium licensing agreement with San Diego’s new expansion MLS team, which provides for the expansion team to play its home matches at SDSU’s Snapdragon Stadium beginning in 2025.
  • Represented Wyndham Hotels in a multi-year, league-wide sponsorship transaction with Minor League Baseball.
  • Represented Credit Karma in a multi-year jersey patch sponsorship transaction with the Houston Rockets.
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Real Estate, Corporate, & Hospitality 

Experience

Zak advises clients on a wide range of real estate, corporate, and hospitality matters, including:

  • Purchase and sale agreements
  • Joint venture agreements
  • Operating and partnership agreements
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Recent Notable Transactions

  • Represented ASM Global in a new long-term ground lease and $40 million renovation plan for Desert Diamond Arena, a multipurpose arena located in Glendale, Arizona.
  • Represented The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. in connection with financing transactions for the Virgin Hotels Nashville property located in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Represented a hotel owner in connection with the sale of two large hotel properties, valued at approximately $150M each.
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Awards and Recognitions 

  • For 2024, Zak has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for his expertise in Entertainment and Sports Law and Real Estate Law.
  • In 2023 and 2024, Zak was recognized by Legal500 as a ranked attorney in the Sports Industry.
  • In 2022 and 2023, Zak was recognized by Super Lawyers as a Northern California “Rising Star” in the Entertainment and Sports Industries.
  • In 2022 and 2023, Zak was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his expertise in Entertainment and Sports Law.

Previous Work

Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Zak worked as a real estate associate at a large international law firm in San Francisco.

During law school, Zak served as an Executive Editor of the California Law Review and the Managing Editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Berkeley Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. He also worked as a legislative aide for Senator Dianne Feinstein in her Washington, DC office and as an extern for the Honorable Judge Jon S. Tigar of the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Before law school, Zak worked for six seasons for the San Francisco Giants as a Clubhouse Assistant.

Life Beyond the Law

Zak enjoys traveling, playing softball, snowboarding, and attending sporting events and live music.

Awards

Awards
US Leading Associate 2024