Biography
Ned Sherman heads the business affairs and legal team at Skybound Entertainment, a multiplatform content company, where he is a member of the senior leadership team with management responsibilities and strategic oversight across all legal and business affairs and works closely with creators and their intellectual properties to extend creator story IP to platforms including comics, television, film, tabletop and video games, books, digital content, events, and beyond.
Recognized as an industry trailblazer, Sherman is a sought-after expert in the digital and entertainment industries with 25 years of experience focused on dealmaking, legal issues, venture capital, growth strategies and M&A. At Skybound, Sherman has been instrumental in expanding the business with the opening of Skybound Japan, an initiative that has increased Skybound’s global reach and influence in Asia’s lucrative anime, entertainment and video game market. He also was responsible for executing a significant investment in video game developer Mega Cat studios, who is creating the highly anticipated retro RPG video game WrestleQuest for Skybound. Most recently, Sherman oversaw the successful launch of Skybound’s first ever Regulation A+ public offering where he navigated complex SEC and FINRA guidelines required in this new type of investment opportunity.
Prior to Skybound, Sherman was partner and leader of the digital transactions team at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, where his work focused on advising companies, individuals and financiers on cutting-edge media technologies, entertainment franchises, TV, movies, games, esports, music, podcasts, blockchain, NFTs, creators and influencers. His experience knows no bounds in the entertainment world: He has served as outside legal counsel to content creation studios, film, television, and games funds, digital distributors, and talent management companies, as well as a number of high-profile creators and influencers. He was previously Global Artist Manager and General Counsel to a multi-platinum, hip-hop artist (now signed to Roc Nation) and held legal and executive leadership positions at several media company ventures as well as a boutique, media-focused investment bank.
In addition to his expertise in legal counsel, Sherman is co-founder (previously CEO & Publisher) of Digital Media Wire, Inc., a marketing and event strategy consulting firm, and general partner of Goal Venture Partners, a venture capital fund with a portfolio of games and digital media company investments.
Sherman is included on Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report recognizing Hollywood’s top dealmakers, and noted as “an attorney” with “an inside grasp of what is happening” by The Wall Street Journal.
Sherman holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, a master’s degree from HEC Paris Business School and a doctor of law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He also received a certificate in venture finance from UC Berkeley School of Law and the National Venture Capital Association. He lives with his wife and two children in Laurel Canyon.