BARRIER-BREAKING ELLEN M. ZAVIAN NAMED USA FOOTBALL GENERAL COUNSEL
Football’s National Governing Body announces new General Counsel
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – USA Football, the sport’s National Governing Body that selects, trains and leads TEAM USA FOOTBALL®, has announced accomplished sports agent, entrepreneur and executive Ellen M. Zavian as its new General Counsel.
Zavian will serve as a key advisor to USA Football, supporting risk management, contract negotiation and compliance in the fast-paced world of National Governing Bodies. Her insights and leadership will assist in guiding USA Football’s business-related efforts to support and grow the sport in the lead up to Team USA Football’s debut in flag football at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and beyond.
“This is an opportunity to return to my first love – football – and help grow the sport at the youth and national team levels,” said Zavian.
In 2022, Zavian became USA Lacrosse’s first General Counsel and assisted the organization in obtaining and strengthening its standing as lacrosse’s National Governing Body.
“Ellen’s wide-ranging experience in law and past successes with National Governing Bodies make her an invaluable addition to USA Football as our General Counsel,” said USA Football Chief Operating Officer, Jamie Riley. “We are excited to build toward LA28 with Ellen. Her guidance will help us navigate the ever-changing sports landscape while we continue to support football, in all its forms, from the grassroots level up to Team USA Football.”
Zavian has more than three decades of experience building and supporting athletes and organizations. Shortly after graduating with her Juris Doctor from the Washington College of Law at American University, Zavian opened her own practice and became the first female attorney/agent in the NFL. She represented Pro Bowlers Troy Brown, Erik McMillan and Steve Tasker and quarterback Frank Reich.
Zavian also forayed into many other sports, collectively bargaining a ground-breaking agreement in 1996 for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. In 1997, she was named to the Top 20 Most Powerful Women In Sports by the Women's Sports and Fitness Foundation.
Zavian has worked with athletes to create the Women's National Team Players Association, Women's National Team Softball Association and the United Professional Skateboarder Association (UPSA). She also created the United Breakin Association and helped Breaking earn a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Zavian was the first commissioner of the NCAA DII Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and has supported initiatives by FIFA, the Maryland Horse Racing Commission, the NFLPA and SafeSport.
Zavian currently teaches sports law, negotiations, leadership and entrepreneurship at The George Washington University School of Business and George Washington Law School. Additionally, she contributes to The Washington Post, covering the intersection of esports and law.
About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit usafootball.com.