Redwood Public Law Launches Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice

New interdisciplinary practice brings together the firm’s existing experience in public-private development, sports and entertainment transactions, NIL, cultural infrastructure and public law

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Redwood Public Law LLP today announced the formal launch of its Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice, bringing together existing experience across public-private partnerships, sports and entertainment transactions, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), cultural infrastructure and public law into a dedicated interdisciplinary practice.

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The practice is led by Redwood partners Richard D. Pio Roda, Eric S. Casher and Steve Ngo, working alongside Senior Of Counsels Jade Y. Ramos and Neha Shah, whose sports and entertainment practice includes athlete representation, NIL, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, labor and employment issues, and transactions involving artists, creatives, and culture and entertainment organizations.

Together, the team advises public agencies, athletes, artists, creatives, non-profit organizations, and businesses on matters involving contracts and commercial agreements, stadium and venue development, sponsorships and endorsements, governance, public-private partnerships, cultural initiatives and related strategic initiatives.

“Sports, arts and entertainment are integral to and enhance civic life. They shape how communities see themselves, bring people together and serve as catalysts for economic development and community engagement and investment,” said Richard D. Pio Roda, Partner and Co-Leader of Redwood’s Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice. “This practice formalizes work that Redwood and our attorneys are already doing and brings together complementary experience across public law, transactions, land use and development and the sports and entertainment industries to serve clients across the ecosystem.”

Experience Across the Sports, Arts & Entertainment Ecosystem

Redwood’s approach reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of sports, arts, entertainment and the public sector.

The firm currently serves as special counsel to the Oakland Acquisition Company, formerly the African American Sports & Entertainment Group, in connection with the acquisition and development of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum complex. Ramos previously led the legal team advising the Oakland-based development group in its acquisition effort, work Redwood has continued to advance.

Redwood attorneys also bring experience advising on major sports and entertainment developments throughout California, including the Waterfront Ballpark District at Howard Terminal in Oakland, the redevelopment of Hollywood Park in Inglewood, the ocV!BE mixed-use entertainment district and Honda Center in Anaheim, and DisneylandForward.

That experience encompasses public-private negotiations, real estate and land use, environmental review, development agreements, public finance, construction and public contracting, facility operations and other legal issues that arise throughout the lifecycle of major sports, entertainment and cultural projects.

The practice also extends beyond venues and development. Redwood advises athletes, artists, creatives, sports organizations and entertainment businesses on the legal and strategic infrastructure supporting their careers, organizations and ventures.

The Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice includes:

• Sports stadiums, entertainment venues and districts, including development, public contracting, land use, environmental review, public finance and facility operations;
• Public-private partnershipsamong public agencies, developers, sports and entertainment organizations and nonprofit partners; 
• NIL and athlete representation, including NIL agreements, institutional and collective arrangements, and strategic matters across collegiate and professional sports; 
• Professional league and franchise matters, including ownership group representation, league negotiations and expansion bids;
• Artist and creative representation, including agreements involving music, film, visual art, live performance and digital content; 
• Contracts and commercial agreements, including talent, event, vendor, production, licensing and distribution agreements; 
• Sponsorships, endorsements and brand partnerships, including naming rights, venue and event sponsorships, athlete and talent endorsements, brand ambassador agreements, co-branded content;
• Intellectual property and brand protection, including trademark, copyright, licensing and rights of publicity; 
• Media and broadcasting matters, including content, distribution and matters for public and community media organizations; 
• Labor and employment mattersfor athletes, performers, creative professionals, and the organizations that employ them; 
• Arts and cultural initiatives, including cultural facilities and districts, public art, murals, exhibitions, creative spaces and creative-economy programs; 
• Governance, formation and organizational matters for sports, arts, entertainment and nonprofit entities, including foundations and mission-driven ventures;
• Emerging technology issues affecting athletes, artists and creative businesses, including AI and digital content ownership; and

Government and regulatory mattersaffecting sports, arts, entertainment and cultural initiatives Ramos brings a distinctive perspective to the practice as both an attorney and former professional and NCAA Division I basketball player. Her experience includes advising collegiate athletes, sports organizations, artists and content creators. She also co-designed and co-instructed the inaugural Name, Image and Likeness legal clinic at UC Berkeley School of Law.

Pio Roda brings extensive experience in transactions, public-private partnerships, governance, public contracting, real estate and land use, while Casher’s practice includes complex public agency, development, regulatory and strategic matters. Together with Ramos and attorneys across Redwood’s practice areas, the team is structured to address matters that frequently cross traditional legal disciplines.

“Sports and entertainment are changing rapidly, particularly for athletes and creatives who are navigating increasingly complex commercial opportunities,” said Jade Y. Ramos, Senior Of Counsel at Redwood Public Law. “Our goal is to help clients understand those opportunities, protect what they are building and create structures that allow their work and ideas to grow.”

The launch reflects Redwood’s broader commitment to advising clients on complex matters where public investment, private enterprise, culture and community converge.

Redwood will formally celebrate the launch of the Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice with an event on October 16, 2026 in Oakland at the Historical Rotunda Building located at 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza beginning at 5:00pm, PST.

Redwood Public Law LLP is a California public law firm advising public agencies, nonprofits, businesses and other organizations on complex legal, regulatory, transactional and governance matters. Redwood attorneys collectively serve as City Attorney for 16 California cities and as General Counsel to more than 30 special districts and nonprofit organizations. The firm maintains offices in Oakland and Sacramento and advises clients throughout California.

For more information about Redwood Public Law’s Sports, Arts & Entertainment Practice, visit redwoodpubliclaw.com/sports-arts-entertainment.