Arent Fox Announces Hire of Former MLS Executive Vice President and General Counsel Bill Ordower

Arent Fox has announced “the expansion of its Sports and Corporate & Securities practices” with the addition of Bill Ordower, a former Major League Soccer (MLS) Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

A strategic advisor with more than 20 years of experience at MLS, Ordower is joining the firm’s New York office as a Partner and will advise Sports industry clients on their “complex business and legal matters.

“Bill brings diverse expertise spanning all aspects of the sports business, including media and digital rights, sponsorship, licensing, equity investments, expansion, corporate transactions and restructuring, sports betting, ticketing, international partnerships, labor relations, and player disciplinary investigations,” according to the firm.

Richard L. Brand, who leads the firm’s sports practice and serves as the Managing Partner of the San Francisco office, added that Ordower spent 23 years with MLS, “including serving as General Counsel, and was instrumental in driving the League’s unprecedented growth. His experience as an executive team member at one of the country’s top sports leagues — including successfully influencing its commercial and media strategy — will be incredibly valuable to our Sports industry clients.”

Most recently at MLS, Ordower worked as the Executive Vice President, MLS Business Ventures. There, he developed new and expanded existing club revenue streams, including sports betting and gaming, ticketing, equity investments, commercial development, expansion, and international exhibitions.

As Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MLS, Ordower oversaw all legal matters and advised on business affairs, including expansion and corporate transactions, media, sponsorship and licensing, commercial rights acquisitions, digital, collective bargaining and player issues, international, government affairs, and intellectual property matters. He also oversaw the League’s substance abuse and behavioral health program.

Before serving as General Counsel, Ordower worked as a Senior Director of Player Personnel, where he was involved with all aspects of league and club player relations, including player contracts and movement, club salary budgets, SABH programs, and insurance.

Ordower received his JD from The George Washington University Law School and his BA, magna cum laude, from Boston University.