PORTLAND — Twelve years ago, when Fox 51 News at 10 was cancelled, a young sportscaster found himself out of a job and at a crossroads.
Today, Paul Greene is enjoying a triumphant second act.
The 42-year-old Falmouth resident is launching Global Sports Advocates, a law firm that represents professional and amateur athletes in the United States and around the world. He believes it is the only Maine-based law practice dedicated primarily to sports law.
Greene has already established himself as an athlete’s lawyer, having represented U.S. Olympic champions Michael Phelps and Seth Wescott. He has also represented athletes competing in this year’s Winter Olympics, including U.S. snowboarder Jamie Anderson.
But few of Greene’s clients are from Maine. For the most part, they are referred to him by sports agents from all parts of the country, or through Internet searches.
“We choose to live here because Maine is a great place to live,” Greene said. “I’d rather be here than New York, Los Angeles or Boston.”
Greene handles cases including Olympic eligibility, contract disputes and Title IX violations.
More than a decade ago, Greene, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Brandeis University and Syracuse University, respectively, wasn’t sure where life would take him. His job as a sportscaster ended in June 2002.
“For the first time in my life, I was forced to think about doing something other than being a sportscaster,” he said.
Later that year, Greene met Peter Carlisle, a Portland-based sports agent and lawyer who would eventually become Greene’s mentor. Under Carlisle’s advice, Greene applied to the University of Maine School of Law, and was admitted; he graduated in 2007.
Eventually, Carlisle encouraged Greene to launch his own specialized firm.
“You have to look at everything as an opportunity,” Greene said. “I tell my kids to never be afraid to go for your dreams, whatever they are.”
Ben McCanna can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or bmccanna@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @BenMcCanna.
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