Sport

The governance and regulatory framework for sport is complex and ever-evolving. It is also increasingly linked to funding, reputation and levels of trust from the public.

We help sports organisations demonstrate transparency, accountability and strong leadership. We also advise on governance structures and regulatory compliance, including the design and review of governance frameworks, constitutional documents, policies and procedures. Our work frequently involves guiding boards through strategic reviews, responding to regulatory changes or external scrutiny, and ensuring principles such as equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding are included within governance arrangements.

In particular, we advise on:

• Structuring and negotiating a wide range of corporate transactions for corporate and individual clients, including major acquisitions, disposals, fundraisings and joint ventures.
• Ongoing governance requirements, including compliance with the UK Sport/Sport England Code for Sports Governance, for organisations in receipt of public funding.
• The drafting of critical governance documents, including articles of association, board and committee terms of reference, codes of conduct, member handbooks and policies and procedures.
• Strategic reviews and, where necessary, overhauls of an organisation’s governance framework, whether in response to a change in best practice or legislation, an internal or external event, or recommendations arising from an independent review.
• The embedding of equality, diversity and inclusion and safeguarding principles into governance frameworks and cascading those principles throughout an organisation.

We have been named Sports Governance Firm of the Year – UK twice in recent years.

Managing and exploiting commercial rights is a major issue for sports organisations. We advise governing bodies, professional clubs and other sports rights holders on sponsorship, broadcasting, branding and strategic partnerships, which often involve an international element.

Sports organisations must balance commercial opportunities with regulatory constraints, data protection restrictions and reputational considerations, particularly where performance, betting and fan data are involved. Our team also frequently provides advice on intellectual property rights, licensing, marketing and advertising compliance and data management. We also support clients with data protection claims or complaints, investigations and any disputes that may arise.

One of the main challenges we see in the sector is around access to funding and the resulting long-term financial stability for clubs, governing bodies and investors. Financing structures are often tied to future income streams, sporting performance and regulatory requirements, creating complexity and risk if not carefully managed.

We advise funders, investors and sports organisations on a wide range of funding and financing arrangements, including lending secured against future income such as from broadcasting, sponsorship and player transfer fees, as well as more innovative funding models. Our experience in football finance and broader sports investment allows us to help clients structure funding solutions that meet regulatory expectations and commercial reality.

Safeguarding has become a key area of focus for sports organisations, which must ensure they are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements while demonstrably building safer cultures and processes. Issues around safeguarding can quickly escalate and have a significant impact on reputation. Our team acts quickly to support clients and provide pragmatic advice at what can be a critical and stressful time.

Our Safeguarding Unit is market-leading, advising governing bodies and sports clubs on establishing, implementing and monitoring safeguarding standards in both UK and international settings, including conducting comprehensive safeguarding reviews at Premier League football clubs. Our work spans current and older safeguarding incidents, disciplinary processes, internal investigations and crisis management. We also advise on wider cultural and inclusion issues, including Equality Act 2010 obligations and participation matters.

As the first UK law firm to establish a dedicated Safeguarding Unit, we are thought leaders and commonly collaborate with sector experts from other disciplines. The Unit’s Low Level Concerns Guidance has been endorsed by the Department for Education and by Anne Whyte KC in her independent report commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England investigating allegations of mistreatment in gymnastics in the UK.

We host an annual Safeguarding in Sport conference, bringing together leaders from across the sector to discuss emerging themes, share best practice and explore innovative approaches.

We are experienced in advising leading sports organisations and individuals on selection decisions, performance management and regulatory rules.

We advise on a wide range of employment and equality issues, including senior appointments and exits, investigations, disciplinary proceedings and restructures. Our in-depth sector knowledge enables us to advise on issues specific to sport, such as player selection and promotion, as well as wider employment matters including TUPE, redundancy and regulatory compliance.

We also advise international governing bodies on disciplinary processes and sanctions.

Disputes in sport need swift action and careful judgment, particularly where proceedings might attract public or media attention or involve international regulatory bodies.

We act on high-stakes litigation, contractual and regulatory disputes, and international arbitration, including proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Our work often includes disputes relating to selection, discipline and governance.

We also advise organisations and individuals on reputation management alongside formal legal processes. This ranges from managing mainstream media coverage to online content, as well as wider reputational concerns around issues such as harassment and blackmail that may affect high-profile sports clients.

Elite athletes and others closely involved in sport face personal, professional and commercial considerations, both during and after their sporting careers. These issues may also sit alongside charitable ambitions and public-facing responsibilities.

We advise athletes and sports professionals on a wide range of personal matters such as philanthropy, family law matters, personal tax and trusts, property matters and reputation management, as well as on professional issues, including sponsorship and image rights, immigration issues and disputes. We work closely with agents, managers, accountants and financial advisers to provide holistic advice across all aspects of estate and tax planning. Recognising the unique challenges of transitioning from a sporting career to life afterwards, we offer tailored support to assist during this critical phase.

We also support athletes, governing bodies and sporting organisations in establishing and managing charitable foundations, advising on structuring, registration, governance, tax and regulatory compliance to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.