Arent Fox Counsel Maidie Oliveau Honored as a 'Game Changer' by Sports Business Journal

In recognizing the impact she has had on the sports industry, the publication noted that the FIFA marketing agent, ISL, relied on Ms. Oliveau to cut the first exclusive sponsorship deal in 1979 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain. It also lauded her work for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee in introducing exclusive rights to marketers for the first time during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Among other career highlights, Ms. Oliveau was elected as an arbitrator by the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) in 1997 – a position she still holds.  Most recently she served on the Ad Hoc Division of CAS for the 2012 Olympic Games in London  — the only woman and the only American among the Division’s  arbitrators. She previously served in this capacity for the Olympic Games in Athens, Sydney, Torino, and Salt Lake City.

When asked by Sports Business Journal who had the greatest influence on her career, Ms. Oliveau named Peter Ueberroth, who she noted is an exemplary leader. Mr. Ueberroth headed the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee and was responsible for making it the first Olympic Games to be privately funded – a strategy that delivered a close to $250 million surplus.  

Ms. Oliveau has a broad-based practice that requires not only legal skills and business acumen, but also a deep understanding of the sports industry and the evolving opportunities that technology continues to present.  She represents professional sports teams, leagues, event owners, corporations, owners of sports and entertainment facilities, Internet video providers, television networks, and governing bodies in connection with a wide range of licensing transactions. She also represents acquirers of professional sports events and/or clubs and says that her greatest satisfaction comes when all parties to a negotiation are pleased with the results.

Arent Fox’s Sports practice is one of the most experienced in the country, with a team of 25 lawyers nationwide. From the firm’s headquarters in Washington DC, to its offices in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, the diverse practice is involved in everything from basketball, football, and baseball, to tennis, cycling, hockey, soccer, and the Olympics.