In
1988, GFA's Principal, Gil Fried, conducted the firm's
first major project providing in-depth research into the
sports broadcasting industry. This project led to GFA's
development of some of the
first comprehensive cable network and overbuild studies
for industry leader Paul Kagan Associates. GFA then
evolved into a legal practice as part of a larger San
Francisco law firm and is now a comprehensive
multi-disciplinary firm with ties to academic
institutions, law firms, industry associations, and other
specialized firms.
GFA is based in Gulf Breeze, FL, and conducts projects
throughout the United States and internationally.
Gil Fried has participated in cases in over 20 states
and has conducted solution analysis projects involving
almost every state. GFA utilizes the term
"Solution Analysis Projects" rather than consulting
projects or research projects because we feel that if we
do not provide solutions along with our findings, we
have not added maximum value for our clients.
GFA
provides the highest quality data designed to withstand
peer scrutiny either by other academicians/professionals
or under cross-examination. We are dedicated to
helping solve safety problems, not just identifying
potential problems. Through years or practicing,
writing, and lecturing on risk management in the sport,
fitness, and recreation industries, we have developed
proprietary systems that help our clients' employees to
become their greatest risk management resource.
GFA's methods also have helped establish new industry
standards/protocols, or have helped attack alleged
standards as inappropriate or inapplicable.
Professor Fried, who directs GFA, holds a
B.S. in Business Administration from California State University, and an M.A. in
Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Management and Doctor of Laws through a
concurrent program at The Ohio State University. Fried has held various positions in the
sports industry ranging from Vice President of a professional women's basketball league
to his current position as a professor and Assistant Dean for the College of Business at the University of West Florida.
Professionally
trained as an insurance defense litigator and an
employer-side employment law specialist, his focus is on
sport law, sport finance, and facility management.
In 2011, Professor Fried helped launch
and develop the entire curriculum for the Certificate in
Patron Management (CPM) Program housed in the Patron
Management Institute (PMI).
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