During his time at UT Law, 3L Bryce Bradley has carefully chosen courses and experiences that combine his two loves: sports and business. With her graduation coming up this spring, she is well prepared for her career in sports law.
My family influenced my interest in entrepreneurship and sports.
“There are generations of entrepreneurship in my family,” says Bradley. “My mom and dad’s parents were both entrepreneurs. My parents have been running their own businesses for as long as I can remember.”
Bradley’s interest in entrepreneurship influenced her decision to pursue degrees in international business and French at Auburn University. She put what she learned to use without wasting her time. She explains: “My girlfriend’s sister and I founded Boundless Loungewear, a women’s clothing store serving customers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.”
Bradley was also inspired by his family’s love of sports when he accepted a position with Auburn University’s student-athlete recruiting program. In her role, she met with top football recruits and their families, gave campus tours, shared her experiences from her college days, and accompanied them to home football games. Bradley explains: “Through this experience, I was exposed to the behind-the-scenes business of sports. I learned a little bit about everything: branding, marketing, recruiting, scouting, etc.”
Carefully choose a course to prepare for a career in sports law
This background inspired Bradley to pursue a legal education and a career in sports law. In fall 2021, she enrolled at the University of Tennessee School of Law. After completing her required 1L curriculum, Bradley set out to select courses that would prepare her for a career in the sports law field. That coursework included a broad foundation for her business law course, specialized study in sports law, and her writing project focused on sports law topics.
Bradley explains that he chose several courses that focused on business law, including income taxes, corporate associations, negotiation, and contract drafting. She notes that the skills she learned in negotiation taught by adjunct professor Judge Greg McMillan (UT Law ’92) will be especially useful in the field of sports law.
Bradley will have the opportunity to study name, image, and likeness (NIL) and sports law with adjunct professor Bobby Bramhall (UT Law ’17) as the center of his sports law education. Mr. Bramhall is a former college student and professional athlete who co-founded the NIL management and operations company in 2021. He currently provides sports law consulting and advisory services to corporations and agencies. Of his NIL course at Bramhall, Bradley explains: “This course gave me a deeper understanding of not only NIL policies, but also the resources and tools that sports lawyers and agents use to represent their clients in this area of law.” Professor Bramhall described this course as an energetic and engaging This is my favorite class this semester.” Bradley is looking forward to taking Professor Bramhall’s Sports Law course during her final semester of law school. .
Mr. Bradley deepened his understanding of NIL by writing a research paper on the subject under the guidance of Professor Brian Krumm. This paper features the NIL Collective, an organization that helps athletes find, manage, and execute their NIL transactions. Her paper is Tennessee Law Review.
Gain experience in sports law outside of the classroom
“While attending law school, I made an effort to talk to my professors about my interests and seek their advice to gain direction and clarity in my goals,” says Bradley. “Professor Paula Schaefer asked me about my summer plans. When I explained that I wanted to find an opportunity to work in the sports field, she immediately thought of some UT Law graduates who might be able to help me. These connections ultimately led to my first sports agency internship.”
Bradley interned in the summer of 2023 at Solace Sports and Entertainment, an agency co-owned by UT Law alum Folasade Omogun Broadnax (UT Law ’16). At Sorace Sports, Bradley says he learned about the skills needed to represent student-athletes. This semester, Bradley is interning in the Compliance Office of the University of Tennessee Athletics Department. She is also a member of UT Her Law’s team, which will compete in Tulane’s Pro Football Negotiating Competition in January 2024.
Bradley has gained additional connections and knowledge in sports law through his involvement with various professional organizations. She is a student member of the American Bar Association’s Entertainment and Sports Industry Forum and the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association. She also attended the Black Sports Business Symposium in Atlanta. This event encourages the development of Black professionals and students in professional sports across leagues, teams, and agencies.
A bright future for sports law
With experience in sports recruitment, compliance, athlete representation, and international business, Bradley is interested in working in customer relations and representation for a sports agency or as an executive for a sports brand. “I realized there were so many opportunities all over the world,” she says. “I remain open-minded and optimistic about my future as I explore opportunities both domestically and internationally.”
NIL Professor Bobby Bramhall expects great things from Bradley in the field of sports law. Bryce said, “Bryce will not only find her way into sports law, but will blaze a new trail in the industry. She has a high sports IQ and is very knowledgeable about professional relationships and a variety of topics. She is emotionally intelligent when it comes to interactions. Her fearlessness and knowledge of the sport will be invaluable in her interactions with clients.”
Bradley’s accomplishments: Her YouTube videos educate and inspire future law students.
Bryce Bradley made a mark during his time at UT Law. Besides her work in the field of sports law, she holds leadership roles in her SBA and her BLSA (she is currently president) and also serves as a magazine editor. Tennessee Law Review and for Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law. But perhaps her most important legacy is the impact she had on her future law students, inspiring and educating them through her videos.
Early on in her law school journey, Bradley decided to document her law school experience on YouTube. She hopes the video can provide information to those considering law school. For over two years, Bradley’s videos have provided viewers with a daily view of her journey. Events from finding an apartment to the first week of classes, morning routines and final exams are recorded.
“I wish these videos had such a positive impact on future law students, especially people of color and first-generation law students like me, who want to know what law school is really like. I never thought I would give it,” Bradley said. She answered questions via social media from people considering law school and eased their fears with information and encouragement. “In fact, many of my subscribers and followers ended up enrolling at her UT Law because of my videos.”
Bradley is happy to share the challenges he faced and lessons learned on this journey. Mr. Bradley explains. “By sharing my story and being as authentic as possible, I was able to support and encourage others to follow their dreams.”