Sports, Entertainment & Gaming

Organizations looking to establish or expand their operations turn to McGuireWoods Consulting for a variety of public affairs services, including creating public-private partnerships, developing new facilities, securing public incentives for new development projects and marketing, running referenda campaigns and building community support.

Our firm also assists sports betting and gaming entities with public policy services related to betting, marketing, consumer protection, and tax issues.

Who We Help

Our clients include:

Sports leagues and franchises
Entertainment parks
Convention centers
Motorsports organizations
Luxury hotels and resorts
Casino properties
Horse racing venues
Sports betting and gambling entities

How We Help

Policy Navigation and Advocacy

We design and execute state and local strategies, aligning legislation, regulations, and local board of supervisors permitting decisions with our clients’ business goals. We ensure our clients’ development projects enter communities allies, not adversaries.

Site Selection and Incentives

Our team identifies site locations, local and state incentives and public private partnerships that can advance sports and leisure related development projects across the country.

Permitting and Approvals

We facilitate end-to-end state and local permitting and zoning initiatives programs for all types and sizes of venues, including providing community education about project benefits.

Public-Private Partnerships

Our team has helped implement public-private partnership laws across the country and excels at guiding companies through the development process. We represent joint ventures pursuing P3 projects such sports complexes, stadium districts, multipurpose arena developments and resort hotels.

Coalition Building and Mobilization

We build coalitions to reduce opposition and set clients up for long‑term success. We combine stakeholder mapping, grassroots education, survey research, and data‑driven outreach to align development projects with local communities and influence decisionmakers.

Work We've Done

Defended the video game industry against restrictive legislation in Illinois and Texas that would have negatively impacted video game makers’ business model and the user experience.

Secured $300 million biennial funding package for the Texas moving image industry, an increase from $90 million, solidifying Texas’s position as a premier state for the filming industry.

Seamlessly established profession sports team’s new ownership structure as a known and trusted corporate citizen in the state.

Provided site selection and state and local incentives negotiation services, including changing state law to facilitate the client’s unique project scope, supporting the development of a $900 million hotel and conference center development project.

FAQs

Can you assist with sports betting and gaming legislation?

Yes. McGuireWoods Consulting assists clients navigating evolving gaming and sports betting policy landscapes by monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, analyzing potential impacts and developing advocacy strategies. With our help, organizations engage with policymakers, communicate their priorities and address the complex legal, regulatory and public policy considerations.

How do you help sports, entertainment and tourism entities navigate public policy?

McGuireWoods Consulting helps sports, entertainment and tourism entities understand and respond to complex public policy environments at the federal, state and local levels. Our team provides government relations, legislative and regulatory monitoring, stakeholder engagement and strategic advocacy support to help clients build relationships with policymakers and community stakeholders and advance their long-term business objectives.

How do you support economic development projects involving sports and entertainment?

McGuireWoods Consulting supports sports and entertainment development projects by helping organizations navigate government relations, economic development opportunities, community engagement and public policy considerations. We work with clients to build stakeholder support, secure project location and incentives, build partnerships, and develop strategies that position major projects for long-term success and community impact.