Overview
Stoke Caldwell has been a trusted and nationally recognized legal advisor in sports corporate, contract, and transactional matters for over three decades. His vast experience includes representing sanctioning bodies/leagues, teams, drivers, riders, crew, athletes, corporate sponsors and agencies in matters related to motorsports and professional sports (e.g., MLB, NFL, MLS, NBA, NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, CARS Tour, MotoAmerica, AMA Supercross/Motocross, Hight Limit Racing, marathons/running competitions and golf, etc.).
Stoke has experienced transactions from all angles, and he has a unique perspective and is able to provide insight regarding issues affecting all parties, along with business and market insight on industry terms.
Whether it is the formation or purchase or sale of a business entity; a driving services, endorsement, influencer, personal, media, or event management or sanction arrangement; a major sponsorship or naming rights contract; or handling matters related to NASCAR Charter Member Agreements, Stoke’s seasoned insight helps clients navigate the often complex world of sports.
An emeritus director of the Sports Lawyers Association and co-founder of The Racing Attorney Conference (TRAC), Stoke is a frequent speaker at industry and continuing legal education conferences.
Experience
- Represents many Hall of Fame members and legends or soon-to-be Hall of Famers or legends in the industry, including names like Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Dale Jarrett, Ray Evernham, Ricky Carmichael, Wayne Rainey (MotoAmerica), Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Danica Patrick, Wood Brothers Racing, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing and Bank of America.
- Represents a wide array of other race teams, drivers/rider, crew, sponsors and agencies in connection with various contractual needs, investments and other matters.
- Assists with the purchase, sale, lease or other matters related to NACAR Charter Membership Agreements.
- Assists sanction bodies, governing bodies and leagues in organizing and managing their sports, including entities such as MotoAmerica, CARS Tour and High Limit Racing.
- Represents several major health care and financial institution sponsors in connection with multiple major league sports sponsorships and naming rights agreements nationally and internationally.
- Represented Roush Racing and created a joint venture with a major sports team to create Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
- Represented Evernham Motorsports in connection with an investment by the Gillett Family to create Richard Petty Motorsports, as well as handles purchase and sales of, and investments in, sports-related entities.
- Represents several sports agencies (such as Fuel Sports Management/Pro-Sports Management, KHI Management, Clear 28, Owlpine Group, Bespoke Sports & Entertainment and Signature Sports Group) in contractual matters, as well as for their celebrity and athlete clients.
Accolades
Honors & Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, banking and finance, entertainment - motion pictures and television, sports law, 2003-26; Charlotte Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year, 2024
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, entertainment & sports, 2006-25
- North Carolina Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law Award, 2019
- Managing Intellectual Property, IP Star, 2014-20, 2023-25
- Sports Business Journal, Outside Counsel Power Player, 2016, 2021
- The Racing Attorney Conference, TRAC Star Award for Outstanding Achievement in motorsports law, 2014
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, banking & finance, 2006-12
- Charlotte Observer, NASCAR's Top 20 Most Influential Individuals, 2007
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- North Carolina Bar Foundation, Development Committee for more than a decade; Chair, 2017; Oversight Committee, 2017-19
- North Carolina Bar Association, Personnel Committee, 2007-20; Board of Governors, 2004; Sports & Entertainment Law Section, Chairman, 2003
- Sports Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2004-19; Director Emeritus, 2020-present
- The Racing Attorney Conference, Co-Founder
Community Affiliations
- Dale Jr. Foundation, Board of Directors
- Kevin Harvick Foundation, Board of Directors
- Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, Board of Directors
- Youth Racers of America, Board of Directors, 2019-present
- Queens University, Board of Visitors, 2014-23
- First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte, Deacon and Elder
- First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte Schools, Board of Directors, 2019-21
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund Annual Awards of Excellence, Charlotte Dinner Committee, 2008-14
News & Events
News
Events
Practice Areas
Education
Washington and Lee University, J.D., summa cum laude, 1986, Omicron Delta Kappa; Order of the Coif; John W. Davis Award for the Highest Academic Average; Note and Comment Editor, Washington and Lee Law Review, 1985-86
Hampden-Sydney College, B.A., 1978
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina