Seattle – Lawyers from the sports law practice of global law firm K&L Gates LLP have advised esports organization the Kansas City Pioneers LLC on a variety of sponsorship, fundraising, business structuring, and corporate and employment law issues, including drafting and negotiating influencer and player agreements.  

Recently, the firm supported the Pioneers in securing a groundbreaking sponsorship arrangement with on-demand delivery service DoorDash, one of the service’s first with an esports team. In addition to featuring DoorDash as a jersey sponsor, the Pioneers will be producing digital media content that highlights the instinctive connection between esports/gaming and on-demand food delivery. 

“K&L Gates has been a tremendous partner for the Pioneers organization,” said Pioneers CEO Mark Josey. “We see Nicolas and the K&L Gates team as part of our squad that offers practical and efficient legal advice. It has been so helpful to have legal counsel that truly understands the world of esports. We couldn’t have closed the DoorDash sponsorship deal without their help.”  

The agreement with DoorDash is the latest in a series of matters on which members of K&L Gates’ sports law practice have assisted the Pioneers in recent months, with other projects including multiple capital investment transactions totaling six-figures, corporate structuring matters, and the preparation of a suite of standardized player and coach contracts. 

The Pioneers currently have professional esports teams competing in Rocket League, Madden, Halo, and Call of Duty. Along with the other dedicated members of the Pioneers staff, Josey has helped secure relationships for the organization with Under Armour and Social Apex Media, a premier marketing firm in the Midwest. 

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to support the Pioneers with their various legal needs during this past year,” said John Wilson, a leader of K&L Gates’ global sports law practice. “I’m proud that our firm is at the forefront of the growing esports movement, and much credit is due to my colleague Nicolas Sabet, who combines legal acumen with a deep knowledge of esports to provide exceptional value to our esports clients.” 

The K&L Gates team advising the Kansas City Pioneers includes partners Wilson (Seattle) and Randy Clark (Charlotte), along with associates Sabet (Washington, D.C.) and Caleb Ginsberg (Portland).