The sport industry has been forced to tackle seismic disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the shut down of sporting venues causing considerable damage to revenue streams.
The crisis has reiterated the value sport has in our lives; as teams and athletes slowly begin the careful resumption phase, we have all been reminded just how much we appreciate it.
Sport’s return has been a welcome distraction for many from the stresses of the lockdown period, but it has come with substantial conditions to protect participants and fans alike. From an ever-increasing spotlight on integrity and healthcare regulation to changing sports marketing arrangements; from growing athlete exposure to the rapid adoption of technology, how we interact with and regulate sport will be different and perhaps never be the same again.
Finance in sport was already changing rapidly pre-coronavirus. This will continue to evolve with an increased focus on private equity investments shifting the way clubs and events are managed and operated.
Those organisations flexible enough to adapt to the evolving market, particularly where technology has filled the lockdown void, will be in the best position to succeed.
We will support you as you adapt to this changing market, offering a team of lawyers with critical experience working within sports organisations. We understand how the sports sector functions; our team has supported clients across sport for over 100 years, from clubs, athletes and international regulators, to innovative disrupters in sports media and technology.
Sport will emerge a different entity from the COVID-19 crisis, but hopefully stronger and more vital than ever, and our team will be there to support it.
Sports Marketing & Sponsorship
Commercial agreements across sports marketing, broadcasting and sponsorship are inevitably set to change in the future, instigated in a large part by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These arrangements will need to be more innovative and go beyond financial considerations; we expect to see greater use of performance based, short term deals, with power shifting to buyers.
How brands market to fans will change too. With empty stadiums, technology has stepped in to help brands and broadcasters market themselves and interact with a new remote fanbase. Technology continues to develop new methods of marketing and engagement.
We can support you in this changing process, through drafting and negotiating these new marketing, broadcasting and sponsorship deals in sport. With our dedicated technology team, we are able to anticipate the changing landscape, and help you shape deals in the future.
Sports Technology
The advance of technology continues, with developments in the use of live sports data, live officiating technology and innovative engagement platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken technology’s role in sport to new levels; it is now less of an added bonus, and more a necessity. With esport competitions, remote fan engagement platforms and popular “Over The Top” (OTT) streaming services having gone beyond expectations to fill the void left by the shutting down of live sport the growth of technology and data in sport is unlikely to cease.
We combine the strength of our sport and technology teams to offer sports organisations, technology businesses and investors a range of market-leading legal services tailored to the emerging SportsTech industry. Whether you are disrupting or being disrupted, we can help you, offering advisers with a deep knowledge and understanding of the existing landscape, and new developments.
Integrity and Regulation
From sports betting, to anti-doping, to safeguarding; the spotlight upon integrity and sports regulation has never been brighter, particularly as the COVID-19 pandemic changes the way sport can be played safely. It is more important than ever that all stakeholders in sport have sufficient policies and procedures in place protecting their integrity.
A sport that places integrity at the heart of its culture and values is one that can be recognised as honest and trustworthy, one that truly champions fair play and sportsmanship, and above all provides a safe environment for all those who compete, from grassroots to an elite level. Integrity should be the core value across the philosophy of all sports, and we are dedicated to supporting clubs, leagues, players and regulators achieve and maintain that aim.
Our team has extensive experience advising a range of stakeholders across all areas of integrity, and we combine a ‘Rapid Response Unit’ to support you through immediate crises and an ‘Integrity Risk Review’ to identify wider concerns within rules and regulations.
To read more about how our Integrity Sevices Unit can support you here.
Players & Athletes
The role of players and athletes in modern elite sport has changed. Whether you are a player or an elite athlete, technology and social media has blurred the boundaries between you and the fans; you have a far wider reach than ever before and being a sporting icon is as much about your personal brand now as the performance itself. We have seen the growing shift of power from clubs and federations towards sports stars, and it is imperative that you have the best legal advice to protect your brand assets.
We have supported some of the highest profile players and athletes in the world, with a growing reputation for support across player and athlete’s image rights and wider brand management.
We are also able to provide you the added benefit of our private client expertise, and can offer you leading legal support across philanthropy and personal planning, such as tax; buying property and protecting assets in relation to family matters; and supporting private wealth investments and structures.
Meet the team
- Call Jason +44 (0)20 7203 5347
- Email Jason
- London office
- Call Stephanie +44(0)20 7438 2291
- Email Stephanie
- London office
- Call Satish + 44 (0)20 7438 2293
- Email Satish
- London office
- Call Danielle +44 (0)20 7438 2244
- Email Danielle
- London office
- Call Edward +44 (0)20 7203 5213
- Email Edward
- London office
- Call Nick +44 (0)20 7438 2294
- Email Nick
- London office
- Call Darren +44 (0)20 7438 2284
- Email Darren
- London office
- Call Richard +44 (0)20 7427 6732
- Email Richard
- London office
Awards


Our thinking
Pierre Bydzovsky
Update on FIFA-related proceedings in Switzerland
An update on the TV rights appeal trial for the World Cups and the on-going trial against former FIFA president and former UEFA president.
Simone Sancandi
Sports Arbitration Rules and Roster of Dedicated Arbitrators
The Bahrain Chamber of Disputes Resolution publishes a brand-new set of Sports Arbitration Rules.
Zoe Bowler
“Nobody puts Baby in the corner…”
Keir Gordon
Charles Russell Speechlys celebrates this year’s Sports Technology Awards finalists
The Sports Technology Awards celebrates tech-led innovation in sports, globally.
Jody MacDonald
Liverpool FC’s Hero Club and the current state of play with football NFTs
Liverpool’s Hero Club hit the headlines this week and serves as an interesting reflection of the current state of play.
Pierre Bydzovsky
Rules to be followed by Swiss basketball clubs when hiring players through agents
Swiss clubs that use foreign agents who they know do not have a Swiss employment permit are punishable under criminal law.
Nick White
Social Tokens: What are the regulatory challenges in the UK?
Social tokens are one of the latest innovations in the crypto space and have grown significantly in recent years.
Richard Davies
Richard Davies and Rahim Hirji write for the American Bar Association on tattoos, athletes and image rights
LeBron James. Zlatan Ibrahimović. Mike Tyson. What is the common factor?
Nick White
Sports Business: Five Current Themes
Nick White goes early with his thoughts on this year's Sports Business themes.
Mark Hill
Media & Entertainment - The Changing Landscape in the Middle East #1 - A Few Thoughts
Nick White
What Lloyd v Google means for Project Red Card
Jody MacDonald
ESG in Sport – net zero targets and “coolerplate” clauses
Henry Fea
Property Patter: Dealing with Sporting Rights over Land
Sporting rights can cause issues particularly if they are granted over land which may be developed in the future.
Darren Bailey
Emma Raducanu - "Serving to Unite the Nation" - The Future Protection of Sporting Events of National Interest
Darren Bailey
"The WinnerS Take It All"
In a sports setting, it is most unusual to see so many winners arising out of a decision by a rights holder to share rights.
Daniel McDonagh
Keep Your Enemies Close – Multi-Club Ownership in UEFA Competition
Nick White
Nick White writes for City AM on how City Football Group's multiple ownership model might give Man City an edge in the transfer market post-Brexit
Could a multiple ownership model give clubs an edge in the transfer market post-Brexit?
Nick White
Nick White writes for Intellectual Property Magazine on the ever-expanding role of licensed content within the video gaming industry
Nic Couchman
Nic Couchman quoted by the Sunday Business Post on private equity investment in the sports sector
The growth of sport over time means that the traditional funding sources are no longer sufficient to keep pace with the growth of sport.
Darren Bailey
Darren Bailey quoted by City AM on why a salary cap is unlikely to succeed where Financial Fair Play failed in making European football more competitive
The solution to football’s problems may require more fundamental change.