Zack Kessinger – Texas Rangers

Zack Kessinger believes everything happens for a reason. So, he knew it was meant to be when he received a job offer from the Texas Rangers to join the franchise’s legal department on his late mother’s birthday.

Zack Kessinger | Texas Rangers | Associate Counsel

It was more than just a career move—it was the fulfillment of a lifelong passion for baseball and law, a journey he had set out on years earlier with the dream of one day working in the front office of a Major League Baseball team.

Now, as associate counsel for the Texas Rangers, Kessinger is a team player working alongside his top-notch colleagues, Eunice Nakamura and Lizsette Wygle, and ensuring the franchise’s legal operations run seamlessly. From high-stakes contract negotiations to compliance matters, his role is integral to the team’s success. For him, this job isn’t just about practicing law—it’s about combining his passion for baseball with his commitment to excellence in his field.

“This isn’t an ‘I have to’ kind of job; it’s an ‘I get to’ kind of job,” he says.  “Sometimes the little leaguer in me still can’t believe that I get to walk into a Major League Baseball stadium every day and work for the Texas Rangers.”

The Rangers are one of Major League Baseball’s premier franchises. They are known for their deep-rooted history, passionate fan base, and commitment to excellence. Based in Arlington, Texas, the organization has built a reputation for delivering world-class entertainment through thrilling baseball games, major concerts and innovative business ventures.

A front office that operates precisely and efficiently is at the core of the franchise’s success.  From sponsorship deals to contract negotiations, various matters must be vetted daily by the legal department to ensure compliance and minimize risk. It’s a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where every detail matters—and Kessinger thrives in it.

As part of the Rangers’ highly effective legal team, Kessinger is responsible for managing various legal matters, helping to navigate complex deals while ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of professional sports.

Baseball player at heart; lawyer by trade

Kessinger’s journey to the Texas Rangers started on the baseball field. A standout first baseman at Washington University in St. Louis, he set multiple school records, including career RBIs and games played. He was a student of the game, dedicated to mastering his craft, and even earned a spot in the prestigious Cape Cod League—a proving ground for elite baseball talent.

But despite his success, Kessinger faced a crossroads after college. His mother’s passing was a defining moment in his life. Though he loved playing baseball, he knew his next chapter would take him to law school and allow him to fulfill his promise to his mother.

He attended Washington University School of Law, determined to combine his legal education with his love for sports. He landed legal internships with the Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Cardinals, gaining invaluable experience in sports law. A stint in private practice at Winstead PC, where he specialized in real estate law, further sharpened his skills.

Then, in December 2022, the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself. The Texas Rangers were looking for legal counsel with real estate expertise, and Kessinger knew this was the perfect chance to merge his passions. When he got the call with a job offer—on his late mother’s birthday—it felt like fate.

The legal side of the game

As associate counsel, Kessinger’s role is as demanding as rewarding. He is a generalist in the truest sense, handling everything from sponsorship agreements and vendor contracts to sweepstakes, concert deals, and various other transactions. His work touches nearly every aspect of the organization, making him vital to the Rangers’ business operations.

One of the most significant projects he has worked on is the Rangers’ licensing agreements for media billing software in connection with the Rangers’ regional sports network. Navigating the legal complexities of direct-to-consumer broadcasting has been a considerable challenge, requiring close collaboration with outside counsel, Major League Baseball, and multiple internal departments.

“Implementing this software was an important step in developing our regional sports network,” Kessinger recalls. “And on top of that, we still had our day-to-day legal work coming in from across the organization.”

His responsibilities include managing major concert agreements and working with promoters like Live Nation to bring big-name artists like Pink, Linkin Park, and Cody Johnson to Globe Life Field. Every contract, every sponsorship deal, and every partnership must go through the legal department, making efficiency and precision essential.

Kessinger embraces the challenge. He is guided by a personal motto that has aided him throughout his career: “Do today what others won’t, so tomorrow you can do what others can’t.”

While fans see the finished product—games, concerts, and seamless entertainment experiences—they rarely see the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into making it all happen. The Rangers’ legal team plays an essential role in ensuring the business runs smoothly and successfully. Kessinger also appreciates the support of trusted advisors, including Greg Saikin, a partner at BakerHostetler.

“Zack has been a fantastic partner to our firm,” Saikin says. “He works hard, pays close attention to detail and ultimately is focused on doing what is right for the Rangers. Zack’s love for baseball and the Rangers has always been evident. He exemplifies the adage that ‘if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.'”

During the offseason, Kessinger and his colleagues welcomed Nakamura to the general counsel role. The legal department has handled a significant workload while preparing for the upcoming season and keeping business operations running efficiently.

Kessinger values his role and takes great pride in providing trusted legal advice and services to the Rangers’ front office.

“I don’t need praise,” he says. “I just want to do my job well and help the organization succeed.”

A dream fulfilled

For Kessinger, working for the Texas Rangers is more than just a job—it’s realizing a lifelong dream. Every morning, he walks into a Major League Baseball stadium, a reminder of how far he has come and how much he has accomplished.

One of the most unforgettable moments of his tenure so far came during the 2023 World Series. As the Rangers clinched the championship, he stood in right field with his wife, Erin, celebrating the team’s triumph and his own journey. In his pocket, he carried a picture of his mother, a silent tribute to the promise he had fulfilled.

“My wife and I were celebrating being newly pregnant—it was an incredible moment,” he recalls. “I pulled out my mom’s picture during the ninth inning, kissed it, and hugged my wife when we clinched. That was everything to me.”

Kessinger is thankful to work for the Texas Rangers and values the organization’s commitment to serving the Dallas-Fort Worth community.

“This is where I want to be,” he says. Kessinger and his wife recently moved to Fort Worth and have enjoyed living just a short drive from the Rangers’ stadium. They welcomed their daughter, Anne-Marie, in May 2024 and look forward to taking her to the ballpark to cheer on the Rangers.

With his unwavering work ethic, deep love for baseball, and commitment to the organization, there’s little doubt that Kessinger will continue to make an impact within the Rangers. His story is one of dedication, perseverance, and faith—proof that great things happen when passion and purpose align.