When most people think of entertainment law, they rightfully conjure up images of musicians and actors that get legal representation from a specialized lawyer. Entertainment law is such a broad field that it can also encompass many other professions, including athletes. John Branca, one of the best know entertainment lawyers in the world, has represented people from all industries, including these three athletes.

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

The seven feet, two-inch basketball star from New York City, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, played professional basketball for 20 seasons. He got his professional start with the Milwaukee Bucks, getting drafted first overall in the 1969 NBA draft after graduating from UCLA.

He then went on to finish his NBA career with the LA Lakers before turning to coach from 1998 to 2011. Kareem was recognized as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1996, and many would argue he would still make the list almost twenty years later.

Outside of his basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar has written and co-written several books and articles, served as a cultural ambassador, danced on Dancing with the Stars.

2. Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal, also known as Shaq, played in the NBA from 1992-2011 after getting selected first overall in the 1992 NBA draft. He played basketball at LSU before entering the NBA, and he ended up playing with the Orlando Magic, LA Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleaveland Cavaliers, and the Boston Celtics before retiring.

O’Neal is also widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and he has shown aptitude in a wide variety of other interests. Shaq has also rapped, DJed, acted, and even gotten involved in law enforcement. He even has a PhD in education!

These days, O’Neal serves as a sports analyst and is involved in dozens of business ventures.

3. Mike Tyson

One of the most famous athletes of all time, Mike Tyson took the boxing world by storm when he won his first 19 professional fights by knockout after his debut in 1985. He quickly became known as one of the best heavyweight boxers of all time, as he was the undisputed world heavyweight champion for three years, from 1987 to 1990.

Know by fans and foes as “The Baddest Man on the Planet”, Tyson was inducted in both the World and International Boxing Hall of Fames. He retired from boxing in 2005, though he did post a video of himself training last year to Instagram, where he said, “I’m back.”

Tyson was known as a controversial figure during his career, but he has since lived a more quiet life.

Musicians and actors aren’t the only ones that need an entertainment lawyer on their side. Athletes can also benefit from the professional opinion and guidance of an entertainment lawyer, especially when they start to become more involved in the entertainment industry.

Many athletes make guest appearances on television shows or podcasts, or they lend their voice or image to advertisements. Entertainment lawyers can help ensure that athletes will be compensated fairly.