NEW YORK – Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is pleased to announce that David W. Sussman, formerly executive vice president and general counsel of MTV Networks and executive vice president, general counsel and chief operating officer of the New York Yankees, is joining the firm’s New York office as of counsel.
Mr. Sussman will focus on sports and entertainment law at Skadden. For two decades, he has been immersed in the most critical issues in the media, sports and entertainment industries. His deep experience with two
highly significant players in media and sports – and most recently as operating partner and head of the media, sports and entertainment group with the private equity firm, The Dellacorte Group – give him a unique perspective on this high-profile practice area.
At MTV Networks, Mr. Sussman was executive vice president and general counsel and head of business affairs from 1997 to 2007. He oversaw litigation, intellectual property and regulatory matters, as well as the
worldwide legal and business strategies for the acquisition and distribution of content on more than 100 channels and more than 200 online platforms.
He directed MTV’s legal strategy related to the company’s transition to digital platforms and integrated the
Comedy Central Channel and the CBS cable businesses in connection with the Viacom-CBS merger.
Before joining MTV Networks, Mr. Sussman served for eight years as executive vice president, general counsel and chief operating officer of the New York Yankees. He handled all legal functions, including player
contract negotiations, stadium lease issues, negotiations for stadium construction and TV and radio broadcast negotiations.
Since 2006,Mr. Sussman has served on the Special Commission to Study the Structure of the NewYork State Courts, and since 1997, he has served on the Board of Directors and as Vice Chairman of the New York Urban
League. He earned a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and an M.A. and B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled to have David Sussman join our roster of sports and entertainment lawyers,” said Robert C.
Sheehan, Skadden’s executive partner. “David’s deep experience and intimate knowledge of the industry
enhances a practice that has represented all of the major professional sports leagues on many of their most critical
issues.”
Skadden has represented professional sports leagues in high-stakes litigation and has counseled sports clients on antitrust, corporate, labor, intellectual property and tax matters. The firm also has represented major league teams and their owners in player disputes, mergers, acquisitions, venue leases, sponsorship agreements, corporate
financings and project finance work, particularly involving the construction of new stadiums and arenas.
The firm also has in-depth experience representing leading companies in the media and entertainment industries on their most important transactions and most critical litigation matters.
Skadden is one of the world’s leading law firms, with more than 2,000 lawyers in 24 offices around the world.
For additional information about the firm, visit www.skadden.com.
