Wesley A. Zirkle

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Wes Zirkle served for 17 years as in-house General Counsel and senior executive.  Applying that firsthand experience, he now serves as outside General Counsel for business owners and high-net worth individuals, particularly middle-market companies, marketing agencies, motorsports teams, sports properties, athletes, and sponsors.

In the course of his sports practice, he has worked with MLB, MLBPA, NBA, NFL, and nearly every major motorsports sanctioning body, including Formula 1, NASCAR, INDYCAR, NHRA, Formula E, and MotoGP. 

Wes also works in esports, advising clients on this emerging industry made more complicated by a lack of governance, an undefined business model, and inconsistent rights management.

He is a recognized authority on the legal doctrine of Right of Publicity (more commonly known in the media as “NIL”) and regularly advises celebrities, sports properties, and brands on the lawful use of an individual’s persona, including the numerous challenges attendant to the use of NIL in college sports.  

Additionally, Wes has unparalleled experience in the field of sports sponsorship, having negotiated and closed nearly $2 billion worth of deals on behalf of sponsors such as Diageo (Crown Royal and Johnnie Walker), UBS, LG, Subway, Newell-Rubbermaid, Unilever, Famers Insurance, DIRECTV, UPS, and dozens of other marquee brands. 

Wes began his career at CMG Worldwide, representing celebrity estates such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Babe Ruth, and iconic brands such as I[heart]NY. Following CMG, Wes spent 12 years as General Counsel of JMI, the world’s largest motorsports marketing company. He entered private practice in 2017. 

Education:

Wabash College

University of Aberdeen, Scotland

Indiana University McKinney School of Law

Bar Admission: Indiana