Colorado Rapids Head of Legal

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Denver, CO (Hybrid)
• Full-time

As our in‑house Head of Legal, you are the Rapids' primary legal advisor and a trusted business partner to executive leadership. Operating as a sole practitioner within the club, you provide end‑to‑end legal support across sporting, commercial, operational, and corporate functions, balancing risk management with the practical realities of a fast‑moving professional sports environment. You are equally comfortable advising on player and technical matters, league (US Soccer and FIFA) governance and compliance, commercial agreements, and day‑to‑day operational issues.

You serve as the legal connective tissue between the Rapids, Major League Soccer, and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, ensuring alignment with league rules and applicable laws, while maintaining the Rapids' independent operational needs and culture.

Colorado Rapids – Established in 1995 as one of Major League Soccer's original clubs, the Colorado Rapids have carried forward a proud legacy that has helped shape the league and the sport in the United States. As we build on that foundation, we are focused on an ambitious future guided by our North Star of putting FANS at the heart of everything we do.

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world‑class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK'S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), KIMN, KXKL, KKSE (FM/AM), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winner comm, Outdoor Sportsman Group and Sky Cam.

Job Title:

Colorado Rapids Head of Legal

Department:
Executive Business Unit:
Colorado Rapids

Location:

Denver, Colorado

Reports To:

President

Employment Type:

Full time – salaried

Supervisor Position:
Yes

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Rapids' executive leadership and department heads across sporting and commercial initiatives.
• Provide practical, risk‑based legal advice that enables decision‑making while protecting the club's legal, financial, and reputational interests.
• Act as the central point of coordination between the Rapids and KSE Legal on escalated, cross‑entity, or enterprise‑wide matters.

• Support sporting operations with contracts relating to players, technical staff, consultants, performance providers, scouting services and football operations vendors.
• Draft, negotiate and administer a wide range of agreements, including sponsor ships, media and content deals, intellectual property licenses, merchandising agreements, venue‑related contracts, independent contractor agreements, consulting agreements and vendor/service provider contracts.
• Implement and manage contract lifecycle processes, including templates, approval workflows, renewal tracking and internal record‑keeping.
• Review marketing, promotional and fan‑facing materials for legal compliance, rights clearances and risk exposure.

• Advise on and ensure compliance with MLS Rules and Regulations, including roster mechanisms, employment structures, player agreements, and league policies.
• Support league reporting, submissions and audits in coordination with MLS and KSE.
• Monitor changes to league rules, federation requirements and relevant laws, proactively advising leadership on impacts and implementation.
• Participate in league legal working groups, training sessions and conference calls as required.

• Manage and advise on intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, content licensing, music rights, image rights and brand usage.
• Support…