The Legal Affairs team provides counsel and strategic guidance across a broad range of legal matters that support the NCAA national office and its membership. From contracts and intellectual property to litigation support, regulatory matters and governance. Legal Affairs interns gain hands on experience while collaborating with attorneys and colleagues across the Association. This internship offers a unique opportunity to apply legal knowledge in a dynamic environment while contributing to the future of collegiate athletics.
Is this Internship Right for You?
This internship is ideal for recent law school graduates interested in collegiate athletics, in-house legal practice or higher education. Successful candidates are analytical, adaptable and collaborative problem solvers who demonstrate sound judgment, emotional intelligence and a strong commitment to client service. Individuals with an interest in legal research, contracts, compliance, governance or enterprise risk are encouraged to apply.
College graduates with a bachelor’s or graduate degree from a four-year NCAA member institution who are pursuing a career in college sports administration. No prior athletics department experience or sports-specific degree required.
A full-time, in-person internship at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, with 45 positions across 12 departments. Applicants may select up to three departments of interest in a single application.
A yearlong program running June 14, 2027 through May 26, 2028. Relocation to Indianapolis is required.
Interns are paid hourly at a rate that equates to $33,000 annualized and receive full benefits. Applicants should plan for their own relocation costs to Indianapolis.
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a four-year NCAA member institution by the internship start date.
- No prior experience as an NCAA national office intern or employee.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States (international students may apply through Optional Practical Training for F-1 students).
- No age restriction or sports-specific degree required.
- Prior athletics department experience and former student-athlete status are not required.
- Not a current or former NCAA national office intern or employee.
Why Legal Affairs?
Legal Affairs supports nearly every aspect of the NCAA’s work, providing legal guidance that helps protect the Association while supporting member schools and national office departments. Interns gain exposure to a wide variety of legal disciplines, collaborate with experienced attorneys and contribute to meaningful work that impacts collegiate athletics at the national level.
What You’ll Experience
Take ownership of meaningful legal projects that support contracts, regulatory matters, intellectual property, litigation support and strategic initiatives across the NCAA.
Work alongside experienced attorneys to assist with legal research, contract review, governance support, policy development and enterprise wide legal initiatives.
Strengthen your legal analysis, communication, problem solving and professional judgment through mentorship, collaboration and hands on experience across a variety of legal disciplines.
Build relationships with NCAA attorneys, national office staff, member schools and external partners while gaining valuable insight into the legal issues that shape collegiate athletics.
Job Description
Support the NCAA Office of Legal Affairs by assisting with legal research, contract review, regulatory matters, litigation support and enterprise initiatives. Working under the supervision of NCAA attorneys, you’ll gain broad exposure to in-house legal practice while contributing to projects that support the Association, its member schools and the national office.
You’ll Gain Experience In
- Contract review
- Legal research
- Litigation support
- Regulatory affairs
- Intellectual property
- Enterprise risk
- Policy development
- Cross functional collaboration
Responsibilities
Legal Research and Analysis
- Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda on complex legal issues.
- Draft letters, memoranda and legal correspondence.
- Support regulatory matters and governance initiatives.
Contracts and Intellectual Property
- Assist with contract drafting and review.
- Support subpoena responses and trademark matters.
- Investigate intellectual property infringements and prepare cease and desist correspondence.
- Organize intellectual property matters and follow up as needed.
Strategic Legal Support
- Assist with policy review, enterprise risk initiatives and internal legal projects.
- Contribute to additional departmental projects as assigned.
- Provide litigation support.
What We’re Looking For
Candidates are encouraged to possess many of the following skills and experiences:
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Emotional intelligence
- Customer service mindset
- Interest in legal affairs and collegiate athletics
Former Legal Affairs interns have built careers in collegiate athletics, higher education, private practice, in-house counsel and compliance, applying the legal analysis, strategic problem solving and client service experience gained through the NCAA Postgraduate Internship Program.
If you’re ready to gain hands-on experience, build your professional network and make an impact across college athletics, review the requirements and submit your application.