Ryan A. Whelpley

As an Associate of the Firm’s Corporate Practice Group, Ryan focuses his practice on helping businesses of all types and sizes navigate complex challenges. Ryan has experience in both buy-side and sell-side mergers & acquisitions, venture capital investments, equity, convertible note, and SAFE financings for startup and emerging growth companies, and general corporate matters.

In addition to his corporate law practice, Ryan is active in the emerging field of name, image, and likeness (NIL) in college athletics. Ryan has been quoted in NIL publications and has discussed NIL legal issues on sports law podcasts. As a former college basketball player, Ryan is uniquely situated to assist college athletes in NIL deals and opportunities, while also making sure universities and businesses are in compliance with NIL laws and policies.

Prior to joining Morse, Ryan was an associate at a full-service law firm in Upstate New York, where he advised publicly held companies on compliance with federal securities laws and NYSE and Nasdaq rules and regulations, including preparation and filing of Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, proxy statements, registration statements, and other SEC filings and reports.

Speaking Engagements

Speaker, Negotiating NIL Contracts, The University of Texas at Austin

Guest Speaker on Podcast, Freddie Freeman Agent Dispute, MLB Arbitration Recap, & 1-Year NIL Anniversary, Conduct Detrimental

Publications

Tax tips: Athletes who made NIL money have new homework (on3.com)

Quoted: Lawyers taking notice of emerging NIL practice niche, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

Congress Passes New M&A Broker Registration Exemption

Quoted: Why are U.S. Senators introducing bill targeting 501(c)(3) NIL collectives?, On3

Pennsylvania Amends NIL Law to Allow Schools to Arrange NIL Deals, Conduct Detrimental

NCAA Issues New Guidance Clarifying NIL Rules for Institutions, Conduct Detrimental

Idaho High School Activities Association Adopts Rule Change to Permit NIL for High School Athletes, Conduct Detrimental

NIL Could Soon Be Coming to Pennsylvania for High School Athletes, Conduct Detrimental

Louisiana, Missouri Amend NIL Laws; South Carolina on Path to Suspend NIL Law, Conduct Detrimental

Minnesota, North Dakota High School Athletic Associations Pass NIL Policies, Conduct Detrimental

NCAA Issues New NIL Guidance Aimed at Boosters, Conduct Detrimental

Quoted: Can a NIL collective ACTUALLY be a charity?, Extra Points

Mississippi and Tennessee Amend NIL Laws to Allow Schools to Facilitate NIL Deals, Conduct Detrimental

Quoted: College players who made NIL money have new homework – paying taxes, On3

Tax Season FAQs for NIL Income, Conduct Detrimental

U.S. Senators Propose New Bill to Change NCAA Infractions Process, Conduct Detrimental

Adidas Launches NIL Network that could Pay More than 50,000 Student-Athletes, Conduct Detrimental

Pointing the Finger: Congress Blames NCAA in Gender Equity Issue, Conduct Detrimental

Breaking the Piggy Bank: HS Recruit Signs Record-Breaking NIL Deal Worth over $8 Million, Conduct Detrimental

Mustache Madness: Drew Timme Signs NIL Deal for March Madness, Conduct Detrimental

Outside the office

Ryan is a long-time Buffalo Bills fan. Outside the office, Ryan enjoys playing basketball, weightlifting, running, and spending time with his family and friends.

News & Events

• Morse Ranked in 18 Categories in 2023 PitchBook League Tables
  March 5, 2024
• 2023 VC Deals
  A Snapshot of Venture Capital Transactions
  February 21, 2024
• 2019-2023 M&A Deals
  Mergers & Acquisitions: A Transaction Recap
  February 21, 2024
• Morse Serves as Counsel to Wagr in Acquisition by Yahoo Sports
  May 2, 2023
• Morse Ranked in 14 Categories in 2022 PitchBook League Tables
  March 29, 2023

Representative Matters

• Represented a sports betting app in its acquisition by Yahoo Sports.
• Represented an athlete marketing and eCommerce platform in its acquisition by and subsequent spin-out from a multibillion-dollar consumer-focused flow blockchain company.
• Represented an athlete marketing and eCommerce platform in a convertible note financing with a national sporting goods retailer.
• Represents a digital wellbeing platform in general corporate matters.