Tyrone P. Thomas

Member / Co-chair, Sports & Entertainment Practice

+1.202.434.7374

Follow:

Tyrone has gained national recognition for his work in employment and sports law. He advises academic institutions on executive compensation arrangements. Tyrone also provides compliance assessments on governance issues and advises clients on conflicts of interest. In addition, he focuses on legal issues pertaining to intercollegiate athletics and professional sports. Tyrone is highly regarded for his insight on sports matters and has served as a legal analyst for various publications. He also chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee.

Tyrone advises boards, presidents, and other senior executives on employment, consulting and separation agreements. In providing compliance assessments on governance issues, he advises on conflict of interests and IRS regulations governing intermediate sanctions and Form 990 reporting. He has counseled on the development and implementation of affirmative action plans and related matters with OFCCP. Tyrone is a frequent speaker for various associations in higher education on presidential compensation and executive searches, including the American Council on Education, the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Council of Independent Colleges.

Tyrone represents clients on complex legal issues in athletics. In intercollegiate athletic matters, his experience includes enforcement investigations, the infractions process, and appeals. He advises colleges on Title IX, employment contracts, and policies for athletics personnel. In professional sports matters, he has advised teams on league compliance issues and other legal matters. He is nationally recognized for his experience in sports matters and has served as a legal analyst for the New York Times, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sports Business Journal, University Business, and the Sports Litigation Alert.

In general employment matters, Tyrone advises companies on reductions in force and allegations of discrimination. He successfully defended a nonprofit organization engaged in food recycling and meal distribution programs on a race discrimination charge. He advised a metro transportation authority on corrective action programs arising from a consent decree on discrimination charges. He has conducted litigation avoidance audits relating to prospective discrimination/harassment/retaliation claims for a power company, an international trucking company and a provider of cleaning and facility services.

In addition to his legal practice, Tyrone is chair of the Mintz Diversity Committee. In this role, he leads the firm’s initiatives promoting diversity in the legal profession. Tyrone is also the Co-chair of the firm's Sports & Entertainment Practice.

Tulane University (JD)
Dartmouth College (BA)

Advised a university on certain terms for the contract of its then-head football coach, who was at the time subject to high recruitment elsewhere due to the team’s top 5 national ranking.
Provided employment advice and counselling to the Big Ten Conference on key employment and executive compensation issues for its senior staff.
Advised and counseled NBA league bylaws and polices as well as involvement in intra-team disputes and matters involving trades and health disclosures.
Advised a private university on a number of employment matters including compliance with Title IX, regulations applicable to athletics aid and participation, and NCAA bylaws and policies.
Represented a major league professional sports team in arbitration over appropriate trade disclosures; obtained a seven-figure recovery.
Represented Vanderbilt University and its Board of Governors regarding the compensation package and employment contract of the university's chancellor.
Represented the University of Florida and its Board of Trustees in connection with the recruitment process for hiring a new president.

Lawyers of Color Power List (2020)

Past Deputy General Counsel, National Bar Association
Member, Sports Lawyers Association

Recent Insights

Employment, Labor, and Benefits Viewpoints Thumbnail

Part Ten of the COVID-19 Roadmap Series: Workplace Communications and Trainings

May 20, 2020|Blog

OFCCP Announces Relief From AAP Requirements For COVID-19 Related Federal Contracts

March 22, 2020|Blog

Sports & Entertainment Viewpoints Thumbnail

New Law Gives Student-Athletes Mandatory Whistleblower Protections

May 16, 2019|Blog

A Crescendo of Calls for Student-Athletes’ Right to Play and Get Paid

March 16, 2020

Mintz Members and Co-chairs of the firm’s Sports & Entertainment Practice Tyrone Thomas and Keith Carroll, Member Randy Jones, and Associate Aaron Fenton co-authored an article published by Bloomberg Law that examined California’s new law that allows for endorsements and conflicts with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules, how other states and Congress are considering similar laws, and litigation to watch in 2020.

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas Named to 2020 Lawyers of Color Power List

Mintz Earns Top Score in Corporate Equality Index for 13th Consecutive Year

The Racing Attorney Conference (TRAC) 2020

Tulane 3rd Annual Entertainment and Sports Law Conference

Employment Law in 2020 - Controversy, Cannabis and Contractors: Three C’s to consider in DC and Beyond

View All Insights

Viewpoints

Part Ten of the COVID-19 Roadmap Series: Workplace Communications and Trainings

May 20, 2020 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas, Danielle Bereznay

In the final part of our Roadmap Series, as employers prepare to transition to on-site operations for segments of their staff, we discuss considerations for COVID-19 related communications to the workforce. We also address the importance of conducting workplace trainings for managers and staff that address new regulatory considerations for workplace safety, telecommuting arrangements, health screenings, and leave and accommodation requests to prepare for the “new normal.”

OFCCP Announces Relief From AAP Requirements For COVID-19 Related Federal Contracts

March 22, 2020 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced that for the three month period from March 17, 2020 to June 17, 2020, it will provide a temporary exemption to certain federal contracting requirements. The exemption is related to work under federal construction and service/supply contracts to provide COVID-19 relief.

New Law Gives Student-Athletes Mandatory Whistleblower Protections

May 16, 2019 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas

In the aftermath of concerns on student-athlete safety following the death of a Maryland football player during conditioning drills last year, new legislation takes aim by providing protections on the right of college athletes to report concerns outside of the athletic department.

Compliance Issues Facing the Sports Industry

August 27, 2018 | Video | By Tyrone Thomas

Tyrone Thomas discusses the changing landscape in sports with the emergence of e-sports, athlete activism, and more and the associated compliance issues organizations are likely to face in the coming years.

Mintz 4th Annual Employment Law Summit -- Navigating Unexpected Terrain in Workplace Investigations

March 23, 2018 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas

Join me in a discussion on the increasingly nuanced landscape of employee workplace investigations and best practices in managing their effect on corporate brand, attorney-client privilege and obligations to applicable governmental entities. The current wave of public disclosure of workplace misconduct highlights the intersection of legal compliance and employee relations.

March 14, 2018 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas

Tyrone Thomas was quoted in the Law360 article entitled, NCAA Transfer Rule Ripe For Reform Despite Court Success, in which he assessed the opportunity for college athletics to create a clearer standard for its transfer rules and avoid the possibility of court intervention.

December 31, 2017 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas, Alden Bianchi

The “intermediate sanctions” rules under Section 4958 of the Internal Revenue Code have long governed the payment of compensation to executives of public charities. While these rules are highly prescriptive, if followed, they offer taxpayers a significant advantage in the form or a rebuttable presumption of reasonableness.

March 16, 2017 | Blog | By Tyrone Thomas

As of this writing, it has been over 850 days since the UConn women’s basketball team has lost a game.

July 7, 2016 | Blog | By Alden Bianchi, Tyrone Thomas

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service recently issued comprehensive proposed regulations governing nonqualified plans subject to tax under Internal Revenue Code § 457. Code § 457 prescribes the tax rules that apply to “eligible” and “ineligible” nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

May 19, 2016 | Blog | By Erin Horton, Tyrone Thomas

Over the course of this and next week, we will discuss the final overtime rule’s impact and address related workplace issues on which employers should focus in advance of its December 1st implementation date. Today we focus on the rule’s impact on non-profits and educational institutions.

A Crescendo of Calls for Student-Athletes’ Right to Play and Get Paid

March 16, 2020

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas Named to 2020 Lawyers of Color Power List

February 10, 2020

Mintz Earns Top Score in Corporate Equality Index for 13th Consecutive Year

January 24, 2020

NCAA Decides Against Exerting More Authority over Academic Misconduct

September 13, 2019

In a recent article published by Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Mintz Member and Co-chair of the Sports & Entertainment Practice Tyrone Thomas commented on the decision by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)’s Division I governance to not add reforms that would give the NCAA greater authority to discipline institutions that have engaged in academic misconduct.

Law360 Ranks Mintz a Top Firm for Minority Attorneys

July 09, 2019

Mintz Members Named to Lawyers of Color’s Nation’s Best List

June 07, 2019

College Scams With a Twist: Rich Parents Use Sports ‘Side Door’

March 12, 2019

In this article, Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas discusses the college cheating scandal which involves sneaking in a non-athlete by exploiting the lower academic standards that some schools allow for sports recruits.

NCAA Reforms Fail To Fix Basketball’s Corruption Problem

August 17, 2018

This feature story looks at reform efforts by the NCAA providing some benefits to student-athletes that pursue a professional basketball career. Member Tyrone Thomas, who regularly advises clients on complex legal issues in athletics, is quoted providing commentary.

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas Recognized Among Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Lawyers

July 16, 2018

Mintz Earns Eleventh Consecutive Perfect Score from Human Rights Campaign in LGBTQ Workplace Equality Scorecard

March 28, 2018

Mintz has received a perfect 100% ranking by the Human Rights Campaign for the eleventh consecutive year in the organization’s annual Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality.

NCAA Transfer Rule Ripe For Reform Despite Court Success

March 13, 2018

Member and Sports Law attorney Tyrone Thomas provides commentary in this feature article looking at the NCAA, and the litigation challenging its restrictions on college basketball and football players' ability to transfer schools.

N.C.A.A.: North Carolina Will Not Be Punished for Academic Scandal

October 13, 2017

Member Tyrone Thomas, an experienced sports law attorney, is quoted in a New York Times article regarding the NCAA announcement that there would be no penalties placed on the University of North Carolina for an academic issue involving the basketball team.

LEAD1 Association Interview with Tyrone Thomas of Mintz Explores how "Diversity in perspective can show itself in so many different ways"

September 13, 2017

Tyrone Thomas, a Member in the Mintz Washington, DC office, Chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee and a member of the sports law practice, was interviewed by LEAD1 on the topic of diversity and inclusion.

Louisville's sanctions bear close scrutiny at Ole Miss, North Carolina

June 15, 2017

Member Tyrone Thomas, an experienced sports law attorney, is featured in this Sports Illustrated article discussing three “blockbuster cases” for the NCAA’s enforcement group and Committee on Infractions and their implications for others in collegiate sports moving forward.

Is the NCAA Serious About Gay Rights? We're About to Find Out

March 24, 2017

This article explores the possible connection between the NCAA tournament’s move to South Carolina and Duke University’s loss in the second round of the tournament. Duke lost after North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” led the NCAA to move this year’s tournament out of state.

What will happen to Ole Miss, Hugh Freeze in NCAA investigation? Experts weigh in

February 24, 2017

Mintz’s Tyrone Thomas provides commentary in this article focused on the NCAA’s serious allegations against Ole Miss. Tyrone, a veteran sports attorney, is among the industry sources familiar with the NCAA process quoted within the piece discussing what could potentially happen next to the Rebels.

Mintz Receives its Tenth Consecutive Perfect Score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2017 Corporate Equality Index

December 12, 2016

For the tenth straight year, Mintz has received a top rating of 100% on the Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Mintz Attorney Tyrone P. Thomas to Speak at 2016 Learfield Intercollegiate Athletics Forum

November 30, 2016

Tyrone P. Thomas, a Member of the Sports Law and Employment, Labor and Benefits Practice Groups at Mintz, is speaking at the 2016 Learfield Intercollegiate Athletics Forum. In his session, Mr. Thomas will discuss legal issues facing college athletics.

Louisville’s Rick Pitino Claims Dominion, Except When Scandal Hits

October 20, 2016

Member Tyrone Thomas, an experienced sports law attorney, is quoted in The New York Times discussing the University of Louisville’s basketball coach, Rick Pitino, and his involvement in a scandal.

High Court Stays Out Of College Athlete Pay Debate, For Now

October 3, 2016

Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Law360 article discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision denying from the NCAA and a group of former college athletes to review the existing amateurism model prohibiting college players from receiving compensation beyond scholarship packages.

Sports Programs Draw Up a New Playbook for Student Activism

September 23, 2016

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Chronicle of Higher Education on how athletic directors of student-athlete programs are taking greater care to listen to their players and provide effective responses to student activism.

Mintz Attorney Tyrone P. Thomas to Speak at Division 1A Athletic Directors Association Annual Meeting

September 15, 2016

Tyrone P. Thomas, a Member of Mintz's Sports Law and Employment, Labor, and Benefits Practice Groups, is speaking on a panel at the Division 1A Athletic Directors Association Annual Meeting. Mr. Thomas will discuss issues and developments regarding student-athlete activism.

The Case Against Ole Miss: Amid Significant Allegations, Will the NCAA Find Smoke or Fire in Rebels' Football Program?

June 29, 2016

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Sports Illustrated article covering the NCAA's investigation of the Ole Miss athletic department which faces allegations of misconduct.

Mintz Attorney Tyrone P. Thomas to Speak at Executive Leadership Academy

June 09, 2016

Mintz Attorney Tyrone P. Thomas to Speak at Millennium Leadership Initiative Institute

June 02, 2016

In 11 Missing Words, Some See Shift in N.C.A.A. Case Against U.N.C

May 9, 2016

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this New York Times article describing the implications of the NCAA amended notice of allegations to the University of North Carolina for its alleged lack of control pertaining to the supervision of their student-athletes’ academic education.

NCAA Cuts UNC Men's Basketball, Football From Allegations

May 9, 2016

Mintz Sports Law Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Law360 article on the NCAA's removing any mention of the University of North Carolina men’s basketball and football programs from its allegations of academic fraud.

College Athlete Employee Claims a Dead End Post-Penn Suit

February 19, 2016

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Law360 article on the end to the efforts by student-athletes to be considered employees.

Commissioner of New York City Commission on Human Rights to Deliver Keynote Address at Mintz Employment Law Summit

January 25, 2016

NCAA Relaxes Rules to Allow Players to Gauge NBA Draft

January 14, 2016

Mintz Member Tyrone Thomas is quoted in this Law360 article on the NCAA's announcement that it has approved rule changes to allow college basketball players to enter the NBA draft multiple times without losing college eligibility.