Written by Lauryn Wang
On October 22, 2025, JSEL co-hosted an event with the Committee on Sports and Entertainment law (CSEL) featuring Kim Miner (HLS ‘15), Chief Legal Officer of the Boston Legacy FC, and Mandy Petrillo, Assistant General Counsel of the Red Sox.
Miner and Petrillo emphasized the value of their various experiences pre-law school both in and around the sports space, from fan services to real estate, and sales. Once in law school, Miner and Petrillo committed to building out their respective networks in the sports industry and agreed that developing discrete skills particularly applicable to in-house positions, including contract drafting, licensing, and employment, is extremely important to in-house legal work in sports.
In their respective roles, Miner and Petrillo have continued to develop their knowledge of the business of sports. Miner said she learned through in-depth exposure to the Pawtucket Red Sox Minor League Baseball team and the Red Sox, while Petrillo reflected on a formative internship as the right-hand person to the Commissioner of Major League Lacrosse.
Miner offered insight into the space of women’s professional sports, comparing her experience in Minor League and Major League Baseball with the dynamics of professional women’s soccer. Miner said she is constantly challenged to think creatively and push the envelope as she contends with novel issues. Miner also touched on the applicability of immigration law in her current work that is so intertwined with international athletes, contracting, and the nature of the NWSL that implements a mid-season pause for international play.
Petrillo shared how data privacy is shaping the legal landscape in sports, particularly with respect to sharing fan data. She also noted how the Red Sox are navigating AI at the intersection of intellectual property rights and trade secrets. And as media regional sports network models become less prevalent, media rights presents another important area for lawyers to demonstrate adaptability.
Miner and Petrillo ultimately advised HLS students to keep their eyes open, seek opportunities to acquire specific, translatable skills, and take initiative in charting their paths in-house.