Laws of the Game is a Vela Wood podcast discussing the history, operation, and organization of soccer worldwide hosted by Kate Porter and Andrew Visnovsky, our international sports law experts. In this episode, we discuss FIFA regulations on international eligibility, including how FIFA determines which country a player is able to represent in international competitions like the World Cup, how players can effectively switch their nationality, and what it means to be "cap-tied" to a specific national team. Time Stamps * 0:40 - FIFA Regulations on International Eligibility * 1:20 - Holding Nationality v. Eligibility * 2:20 - Individual Nation's Nationality Laws * 4:40 - US National Team and Germany * 6:53 - National Associations * 10:14 - New Nationalities and FIFA Additional Requirements * 12:22 - CAS Dispute: UAEFA v. AFC and QFA * 16:07 - Switching Associations * 24:48  - "Cap-Tied" Players * 26:54 - Fielding Ineligible Players & Disputes Related Links * FIFA Eligibility Rule Change Offers World Cup Hopes For ‘One-Cap Wonders’ * Imports of Importance: The German influence on the U.S. World Cup team * FIFA Publishes Explainer on Eligibility to Play for Representative Teams

Kevin was interviewed by The Insider's Guide to Finance podcast about properly navigating your company through the stages of financing. You can see the original post here: https://creativereturn.ca/the-fine-print-of-raising-capital-with-kevin-vela-ep-30/

In this episode, we discuss what constitutes a seed round in Dallas and contrast the three potential structures of a seed round - equity, convertible note, and a SAFE. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss why we're not big fans of accelerators, the types of accelerators we do think provide value and are worth participating in, and the clauses to watch out for in an accelerator's program participation agreement. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss qualifications for accredited investors, how to find angel investors, how angel syndicates work, which metrics you need to know for a pitch meeting, and how to respond to getting a "no."  See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss what makes a great pitch deck, the best uses of an appendix, how to get warm introductions to investors, and restrictions on general solicitations. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss how to mitigate the risks of Friends & Family funding, which include disproportionate valuations, violating SEC and state securities laws, and messy cap tables. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss the difference between vesting and reverse vesting, confidentiality agreements and assignment of intellectual property, restricted stock and 83(b) elections, ROFR, and Class F founders stock. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss why your company's legal matters, lifestyle businesses v. venture-backed businesses, whether you should form your entity as a corporation or LLC, implications of the new tax code, and the filing requirements for entity formation. See "Episode Website" for show notes.

In this episode, we discuss wage claims, entity types, accredited v. non-accredited investors, 83(b) elections, and 409A valuations. See "Episode Website" for show notes.