Getting to know Riley Christian! A Digital Cover Story

I stumbled across Riley Christian’s Instagram page just scrolling looking for amazing Black content creators. My interest was instantly piqued  by his reels educating artists on the importance of the decision to  sign to a major record label or stay independent. I reached out via email in hopes of learning more  about this highly educated, and passionate, man. From the eastside of Detroit to New York, Riley Christian has made it his mission to educate and empower people who look like him on their rights in the sports and entertainment industry. 

Riley’s Start, Journey & Passion 

Cox: Riley, tell me what makes you so passionate about sports and entertainment as an attorney. 

Christian: I’ve always had a passion for sports. My brother and I always played sports growing up. Baseball was my main sport and I was  to  be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school. 

Christian (contin): After retiring from baseball and finishing college, I took time to reflect on my experience as a collegiate and professional athlete and wanted to use my experience to help others. Like most people I thought, “oh, I’ll be a sports agent.” But when I got to law school,  I realized I could make the greatest impact as a sports and entertainment lawyer.  

Christian (contin): The industry needs more representation behind the scenes where most of the important decisions are made. There are more opportunities for black professionals today than ever before thanks to those who have paved the way. Still, there is work to be done. It is my responsibility as a black man working in the legal sector of the entertainment industry to make sure that I am opening doors for other black attorneys who are following in my footsteps.    

Riley’s urge to give back not only inspired his decision to attend law school, but also fuels every decision he makes.. Although his services aren’t free, he strives to prepare his clients for long-term success. A stickler for the details, Riley is the guy you call to understand the fine print.. 

Cox: As a Sports and Entertainment attorney, what are some pitfalls people should be aware of since many people don’t understand how to protect either themselves or their money profit – – sometimes both.

Christian: So I’m going to start with sports first. You have talented athletes who have worked tirelessly their entire lives for a shot in the big leagues. They finally get their shot and all of a sudden you have player contracts, brand deals, sponsorships, appearances, commercials, advertisements, you name it. Most agreements contain legal jargon that can be difficult to understand. It’s my job to make sure my athletes and entertainers not only understand the terms of their agreements, but also understand what their agreements mean in practice. In other words, I make sure my clients know exactly how the terms of their contract impact their everyday present lives and long-term futures. Another big thing for artists and entertainers to remember is the importance of conducting themselves appropriately from day to day. I constantly stress to my clients how unforgiving the industry can be. I believe protecting your family, reputation, and assets is key to any athlete’s or entertainer’s success. I maintain an open line of communication with my clients so they know they can come to me for advice on even the most minor of issues like whether a social media post is appropriate.  

Christian (contin): People may know me from The Bachelorette and The Bachelor spin-off, Bachelor of Paradise. Although one of the stars of the show, being present for the filming afforded me the invaluable opportunity to sort of “switch places” with my entertainment clients and truly understand what they encounter in their careers. This is particularly true for people of color in entertainment. Whether feature length cinema or reality television, minorities are not always afforded the same opportunities or considerations on set as our white counterparts. Having witnessed the filming of a production from beginning to end, I have a unique perspective from which I negotiate contracts. Not only do I make sure my clients receive comparable compensation to their similarly situated castmates, but I also negotiate contractual terms that reflect my clients’ individual needs, which are sometimes overlooked by producers, for example, who do not look like them. 

Riley sees himself as his clients’ partner in success. He is thoroughly engaged and invested in his clients’ efforts to advance in their respective careers. He drafts contracts and negotiates deals with long-term goals in mind to ensure his clients have a solid foundation for the future. With every representation, Riley strives to deliver excellent service that helps his clients move a step closer to achieving their dreams.   

Cox: You mentioned who they are after the show or game ends!

Christian: Yes. It is important for clients to understand exactly what they are agreeing to when they sign a contract. I want my clients to be able to explain to their family and friends five things: (1) what they are obligated to do; (2) what they are obligated not to do; (3) what they are getting paid; (4) how they are getting paid; and (5) for how long. If a client understands those five things, they are better able to plan for their futures and avoid pitfalls like breaching their contract, which could result in costly litigation. . 

Christian (contin): Listen, success is subjective. Of course we would all love to be billionaires (laughs). That level of success is tough to reach, but not impossible. Aside from their biggest dreams and ambitions, I want my clients to always be able to take care of their basic needs— meaning provide for themselves and their families now and in the future. My team and I work together to ensure my clients are hooked up with the right people and resources to guard against financial issues we too often see plaguing retired athletes and entertainers. 

One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation with Riley is that he teaches his clients the importance of knowing how they will get paid. I asked Riley what he thought was the biggest difference between signed and indie artists. He said, “ the biggest difference is going to be how you will get paid. The art of the contract is always how will each person recuperates their investment in terms of capital, time, or skill. The artist needs to understand what, when, and how much they have to pay back to  the label when they have a major deal. And the independent artist needs to understand how much of their own financials they will have to put up and risk to make it.” 

Cox: Another thing you stress is being able to get out of something.

Christian: I always advise my clients that one of the ways they can protect themselves is negotiating contract terms that give them a way out. If for some reason an artist’s records are being shelved, he or she is going to want to have already negotiated some sort of termination clause so they can end the agreement early. The time to think about how to end your contract is not when you’re fed up and looking to end your contract! Another example are options. Options can be good, but they’re great when the entertainer has a say in the renewal process.  .  All of those terms must be negotiated.

Christian(contin): Now a lot of times, up-and-coming artists have a hard time negotiating with big companies because they have disproportionate bargaining power. But the advantage today’s artists have is social media. Artists can use social media to build their followings and establish brands before ever being introduced to larger labels. No longer do labels have to build no-name talent from the ground up. Instead, new artists are coming in with a huge and loyal following, which gives new artists a bigger voice in a big room. That’s The beauty of the internet. You can keep pumping out content on your own  and make your own noise. 

Christian(parting thought): None of my comments are meant to be construed as legal advice. If you’re interested in legal advice on your particular sports or entertainment issue, feel free to reach out. 

Speaking with Riley, you realize he is more than an attorney. He is a brand strategist, business manager, therapist, best friend, and just someone you can trust who is looking out for your best interests. Anyone who hires him is going to be a reminiscence of working with that best friend you love and trust. Who keeps it real, challenges you, lays out all the facts, and has your best interest in mind. 

Photo credit: Christopher Claxton
Styling credit: James Sanders