Andrew Brandt

Executive Director of the Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law
Professor of Practice

Biography

Andrew Brandt is a nationally-recognized accomplished sports executive now bringing his credibility and unique insight and perspective to academia and the media.

Brandt is professor of practice and executive director of the Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova Law.  The Moorad Center has quickly become the standard for sports legal and business education, while Brandt has become a thought leader in sports law, sports business, sports policy, and more. The annual Moorad Symposium has become among the nation's most anticipated events for the level of discourse and gravitas of speakers addressing the most controversial sports topics of the day.  Brandt is guiding the Moorad Center to be a destination for young lawyers interested in a career in sports through curricula including four sports law courses and nationally recognized events and lectures. He is regularly cited in local and national publications on sports legal and business issues. 

Along with his law school responsibilities, Brandt has become a trusted advisor and asset to the Villanova Athletics Department. He serves on the school's Professional Sports Counseling Panel and advises student-athletes on the business of sports and, where appropriate, advises on agent selection. He also serves on the University's Strategic Planning Committee for the Athletics Department.

On the media side, Brandt is now a featured columnist for both Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. He writes weekly columns on legal and business issues in sports, providing readers perspective and viewpoints from his unique vantage point as a former player agent and team executive.

Brandt also hosts a weekly podcast that averages over 20,000 listeners, "The Business of Sports with Andrew Brandt," taking listeners inside the inner workings of sports with industry leaders including league and team executives, agents, players, media and academia. The podcast has been cited often for its insights and occasional breaking news.

Brandt served as the Legal and Business Analyst for ESPN from 2011-2017, analyzing business, legal and policy sports issues on programs such as “Outside the Lines” and “SportsCenter” as well as multiple appearances on ESPN radio programs every week.

Brandt lectured at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School from 2008-2015, teaching classes in Negotiations and Sports Law, among the most popular classes at Wharton.

Brandt also co-founded of a unique website of insider content on football, The National Football Post, and has made regular contributions to the Huffington Post, Forbes and the Sports Business Journal.

Brandt is a sought-after speaker on business issues in sports and lectures frequently at universities and corporate gatherings.

After attending Stanford University and Georgetown University Law School, Brandt worked for ProServ, Inc., representing top athletes such as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Boomer Esiason. He then became General Manager of the Barcelona Dragons in the NFL's World League, introducing American football to Spain.  Following the suspension of the World League, Brandt returned to player representation for Woolf Associates, representing NFL players including Matt Hasselbeck, Adam Vinatieri and Ricky Williams.

Brandt left the agent side for the team side when he was named vice president of the Green Bay Packers from 1999-2008. There, he negotiated all player contracts, managed the NFL Salary Cap and handled all football business operations in building a team that has continued to have sustained success.

Brandt also consulted and negotiated contracts for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2009-2010. 

Brandt has an active social media presence, with a loyal following that includes 200,000 Twitter followers.

Brandt and his wife, Lisa, live outside of Philadelphia and have two sons.  His interests also include triathlons and jazz piano.

Practice Experience

• Columnist, Sports Illustrated (2013–Present)
• Columnist, The Athletic (2017–Present)
• Host, The Business of Sports Podcast (2016–Present)
• NFL Business Analyst, ESPN (2011–2017)
• Part-time Lecturer, Wharton School of Business/University of Pennsylvania (2008–2015)
• Co-Founder, National Football Post (2008–2012)
• Consultant, Philadelphia Eagles (2009–2010)
• Vice President of Player Finance/General Counsel, Green Bay Packers (1999–2008)  
• Vice President of Football/Basketball, Bob Woolf Associates (1996–1999)
• Assistant/Adjunct Professor, University of Illinois/George Washington University/American University (1992–1996)
• Host, “The Business of Sports” radio program, WTEM Sports Radio (1992–1995)
• General Manager, Barcelona Dragons, World League of American Football (1991–1992)
• Director of Team Sports, ProServ (1985–1991)
• Legal Intern, National Football League Players Association (1984–1985)