The acceleration of sport into an industrial sector on a global level has brought about great opportunities and developments, as well as challenges and issues. There is now a greater focus on finance and sustainability – you need to be competitive on and off the field.

We act for a range of high-level clients, including club owners, athletes, agencies, governing bodies, financial institutions and investors. Our experience and in-depth knowledge of sport regulation means that we can design specific legal solutions, while our range of specialists in related service lines (corporate, banking, finance etc) gives us enviable strength in depth.

Our Sports law practice consists of a team of experts helping clients across the industry to find commercial and legal solutions in a wide range of areas, including: contracts; football mergers and acquisitions; sponsorship deals; international transfers; infrastructure; investment and asset management; intellectual property and image rights; doping proceedings.

Experience

Wasserman Sports Agency

Advised on the transfer loan of professional football player Victor Moses from Chelsea F.C. to Inter Milan.

Cristian Brocchi

Advised Cristian Brocchi on the contract for his appointment as team coach for S.S. Monza 1912.

Ashton Gate Stadium

Advised on the redevelopment of Ashton Gate Stadium including the provision of CIL advice.

Football transfers

We advised on domestic and international transfer of several footballers, most recently involving Mbaye Diagné's move from Kasimpasa to Galatasaray and  Diego Lainez's transfer from America to Betis Sevilla.

Christian Vieri

We assisted Christian Vieri in the negotiation of his testimonial deal with a leading conglomerate group.

FIFA

We advised FIFA on their partner selection process for a major commercial project with regard to its compatibility with European competition law.

Bradford City A.F.C.

Advised two German investors on the UK legal issues relating to the acquisition of Bradford City Football Club.

FAAC SpA

We advised FAAC SpA, leader in gated automation, automatic barriers and garage doors, in the renewal of its sponsorship deal with Bologna FC 1909

Professional football clubs

We advised a number of foreign investors in relation to various acquisition projects involving professional football clubs (e.g. Genoa, Sampdoria, Parma, etc.)

Insights