Cassie McBride, SVP, General Counsel, San Jose Sharks
When she was only 26 years old, Cassie McBride became one of the youngest attorneys to serve as general counsel for a professional football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. After nine successful years in the NFL and 18 months into the pandemic, Cassie joined the Sharks Sports & Entertainment as Senior Vice President, General Counsel. In her new role, Cassie was tasked with leading the Legal, Human Resources and Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging (DI&B) functions for the organization at a time when, in the most COVID-restrictive sports market in the nation, the team needed to proactively identify a strategy forward to get back to live events and design unique and alternative revenue streams. Through a modern, forward-looking approach toward the in-house legal function, Cassie has established a reputation as an effective general counsel embracing millennial culture.
Over the course of her young career, Cassie has already established herself as a top executive and trusted legal advisor within the sports and entertainment industries. Having worked in Major League Baseball (Los Angeles Angels), the National Football League (Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars), and most recently in the National Hockey League with the San Jose Sharks, Cassie makes significant, positive impacts at the league-level, team-level, and on colleagues and clients through hard-work, passion, resiliency, and selflessness.
Outside of her legal career, Cassie has spent more than 15 years running a web design and consulting startup. She has leveraged her skills in this space to create volunteer opportunities and has been a longtime staff volunteer with the YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders’ School. Additionally, Cassie assumes leadership roles with outside organizations, most notably serving on the board of the Sports & Entertainment Network (SEN) of Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Her involvement with ACC began while she was working in baseball and continues today as she currently serves as Chair of SEN.
Maintaining a "pay it forward" attitude, Cassie mentors dozens of junior level and up-and-coming law professionals, both within sports and entertainment as well as other industries. She regularly conducts pro bono legal work and is a passionate advocate for women in law and sports.
Cassie lives in the Bay Area and enjoys spending time with her husband Danny, son Ryan, and their dog, George.
What is the most influential piece of advice (professional or personal) you have received?
One of the most influential pieces of advice I received early on in my career was to focus on controlling the controllables. Simple and impactful, I use this regularly to shape my mindset, priorities and perspective. Learning this early on equipped me with the skills needed to not only progress in my career, but also navigate uncertain or challenging times both personally and professionally, especially during the COVID years.
Where do you see the legal profession in 10+ years?
It's not a surprise that the legal profession has not necessarily been associated with being cutting-edge or keeping pace with the times. While we've seen much progress in terms of technology adoption (especially resulting from COVID), we still have a long way to go. I am hopeful that our industry will embrace innovative ways to optimize efficiencies and leverage tech better, especially when it comes to generative AI. Hopefully this will increase access to and drive greater efficiencies throughout all aspects of the legal system and profession.
What is/are your favorite extracurricular activity/activities?
Outside of work, I enjoy volunteering for the YMCA Blue Ridge Leaders' School, which is a leadership school serving teens affiliated with YMCAs all over the country. It is incredible to work among passionate and dedicated individuals who prioritize service and are driven to instill leadership and community values among the future generations.
Name your hometown/where you were born/where you grew up and where you live now.
I am originally from the northeast and was born and raised in Manalapan, New Jersey. I left the northeast for San Diego for law school, and then moved to Florida to begin my career in sports. I've now been in San Jose, California for 2 years after relocating for my current role with the Sharks.
Published October 11, 2023.
