Renowned expert to bring 30 years of law and sports expertise into the classroom

Cleveland, Ohio — Cleveland State University Interim Provost Geoffrey Mearns announced today that former IMG chief legal counsel and current majority owner of the Lake County Captains, Peter A. Carfagna, will join the University as an Executive-in-Residence in the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

A summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College, a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and a Rhodes Scholar, Carfagna will teach in the areas of sports law, business of sports and sports management. In so doing, he will assist students with acquiring internships with professional sports teams and sports-related organizations. Carfagna will also serve as a consultant to the University’s Vice President for Business Affairs and Finance and assist with fundraising and athletic programs.

“We’re pleased and honored to have Peter join our ranks as he will undoubtedly serve as a vital source of knowledge and information for our students. The addition of a professional of Peter’s caliber gives students the opportunity to learn from a sports marketing legal expert who has had a direct impact upon the transformation and growth of sports around the world,” Mearns said.

Carfagna served as chief legal officer/general counsel of IMG (the sports marketing and entertainment leader) for more than 10 years. Reporting directly to IMG founder Mark McCormack, Carfagna led the company’s 20-plus attorney worldwide legal department. In addition, he was previously a partner at Jones Day, and he is currently senior counsel at Calfee, Halter & Griswold.

Carfagna has published two sports law books, "Sports and the Law: Examining the Legal Evolution of America's Three ‘Major Leagues’," and “Representing the Professional Athlete.” He will retain his appointment to teach sports law at Harvard Law School, where he has been teaching since 2006.

A native of Cleveland, Carfagna is a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and currently lives in Shaker Heights with his wife Rita.

About Cleveland State University

Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for engaged learning. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, 8 colleges and more than 250 academic programs, CSU provides a hands-on learning environment that connects students, ideas and real-world experience.

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