Sports lawyers
Our team of sports lawyers are dedicated to providing comprehensive legal support to clients across the sports sector.
We are a trusted advisors for many sports organisations including governing bodies, gyms and health clubs, professional and amateur sports clubs and stadia companies, motor sport, leisure operators, financiers and investors and insurers.
We offer a full range of sports law services, including:
- Banking and finance
- Property annd commercial
- Employment
- Risk and liability management
- Insurance coverage
- Regulatory compliance
- Child protection issues
- Governance and disputes affecting sports national governing bodies (NGBs) organisations, clubs, competitors, officials, spectators and insurers.
Our specialist sports lawyers are knowledgeable and experienced, taking a practical and business-oriented approach. We recognise that sports leaders need legal solutions that are tailored to their specific needs and goals. We take the time to understand our client’s objectives and work closely with them to develop strategies to help them achieve success.
Sports leaders are looking for legal services that are innovative, collaborative and forward thinking. We are known for our thought leadership, as you will see from our report on unravelling the challenges and opportunities in UK sports governance. Our focus is on providing our clients with cutting edge legal solutions that give them a competitive edge.
We are committed to sports law and helping our clients succeed. We have the expertise and knowledge to help you navigate the complex legal landscape of the sports industry. We are recommended by leading sports brokers and insurers as their ‘go-to’ firm, and their ‘trusted partner’.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you to achieve your goals.
"The team has a unique understanding of their clients’ needs based on the teams extensive experience and knowledge of the industries in which they practice and always strives to deliver an exceptional client service. The team gets a regular stream of high quality and high value work and always manages that work efficiently and effectively."
Featured experience
Commercial sponsorship agreements
We extensively advise on sponsorship agreements, image rights contracts and product endorsements, including sponsorship/merchandising agreement for Rangers and Celtic, Warwickshire CCC and the Millennium (now the Principality) Stadium.
Motor sport: Property and commercial
As long standing adviser to the owners of one of the premier motor sport tracks in the world, we advised on the transfer of ownership of the business, their media contracts and deals to utilise their facilities beyond the race season.
Safeguarding and abuse in sports
We work closely with sports organisations to address safeguarding and abuse in the industry, including:
- Representing a football club in relation to allegations of historic abuse.
- Providing safeguarding in sport seminar attended by representatives of the ECB, FA, LTA, Premier League, premiership rugby clubs and 17 of the 20 Premier League clubs.
- Writing the safeguarding policy for a national high profile governing body.
- Publishing a report on unravelling the challenges in sports governance after a roundtable session with a number of Sports Governing Bodies.
National Lottery funding
We advised on the use of National Lottery funding in sports, including advising on the application of the National Lotteries Act where the funding has been provided to another public body.
Testimonials
"The team has a unique understanding of their clients’ needs based on the teams extensive experience and knowledge of the industries in which they practice and always strives to deliver an exceptional client service. The team gets a regular stream of high quality and high value work and always manages that work efficiently and effectively."
Frequently asked questions
Legal issues in sports sponsorship and advertising include ensuring compliance with regulations on advertising standards, consumer protection, and doping laws.
Companies must follow specific industry rules, like the UK Advertising Codes and the Gambling Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising.
Sponsorships with multinational companies often need to consider different regional laws and cultural expectations. Extra care is needed when dealing with sponsorships involving minors, such as keeping gambling logos off youth merchandise.
To resolve a dispute with another athlete or sports organisation, you can use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods like mediation or arbitration.
Mediation involves a neutral mediator who facilitates discussions between parties to help them reach an agreement, which can be beneficial for preserving relationships.
Arbitration offers a structured process where a binding decision is made by an arbitrator. Both methods are frequently used in sports agreements to address disputes effectively and with minimal disruption.
Key contacts
Sarah Erwin-Jones
Partner
Laura Hughes
Partner
Rachel Lyne
Partner
Latest insights and events
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Essential updates to the RICS service charges in commercial property
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Analysis: National audit on group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse (June 2025)
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What might the public inquiry on child sexual exploitation look like
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Trans matters in sport: The decision in For Women Scotland
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Trade mark strategy in a global market
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New reforms affecting child sexual abuse claims: Legal comment
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Limitation reform in sexual abuse claims: How this affects sports clubs
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Balancing employer flexibility and employee rights
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The benefits of good governance in sport
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Unravelling the challenges and opportunities in UK sports governance
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Vicarious liability of amateur sports teams for player on player injuries
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Press Release - #BeingBrowneJacobson
Balancing elite sport with a career in corporate law
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Corporate dealmakers advise Sodexo Live! on its move to 100% stake in global sports, travel and hospitality provider STH
Legal Update
Fulham Football Club v Jordan Levi Jones
Browne Jacobson LLP, acting for Fulham Football Club, have succeeded on Appeal in overturning the first instance judgment of Recorder Craven that held the Club was liable for a sliding tackle made by one of its players in the course of a competitive match.
Press Release
Browne Jacobson successfully appeal personal injury claim against Fulham Football Club
Browne Jacobson LLP, acting for Fulham Football Club, have succeeded on appeal in overturning an earlier court ruling that the club was liable for a sliding tackle made by one of its former under 18 players, Jayden Harris, in the course of a competitive match.
On-Demand
'Barry Bennell case' webinar
This webinar looks at the three key themes in the decision, and is aimed at sports & social clubs (including safeguarding officers).
Legal Update
Bath Rugby Ltd v Greenwood and others [2021] EWCA Civ 1927
A 1922 restrictive covenant was unenforceable as it did not clearly identify the land intended to be benefited by it.
Legal Update
Local authority leisure provision in a time of Covid
It was no surprise that the leisure sector was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and that many local authority leisure contracts required significant intervention.
Opinion
Sports associations and clubs – keeping children safe from sexual abuse – Lessons learned from the Sheldon report
On 17 March 2020 a report by Clive Sheldon QC was published. He had been appointed by the FA back in December 2016 to carry out an independent review into allegations of sexual abuse by coaches and scouts working in youth football between 1970 and 2005.
Legal Update
Analysis: Six key aspects of the Budget 2021
Yesterday the Chancellor outlined the much-anticipated budget for 2021 which set out a financial recovery roadmap to coincide with the easing of Lockdown 3.0 over coming months.
Legal Update
Pause Game - Coronavirus and Contracts
The true impact of coronavirus on the games industry is yet to be seen, but there is no doubt that it is currently impacting the industry.
Opinion
Should heading the ball be banned in football?
A report by experts from the University of Glasgow looking at deaths caused by neurodegenerative disease in former professional footballers in Scotland.
Opinion
Does Ossett United FC’s decision open the floodgates for claims by injured sports players?
Ossett United FC is a football club based in Yorkshire, playing in the Northern Premier League. On 12 November 2019, they lost a claim for damages brought by Rees Welsh, a semi-professional player from an opposing team.
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises AFC Wimbledon on crowdfunding round to fund new £30m stadium
Browne Jacobson has advised AFC Wimbledon on its crowdfunding round to secure £2m towards the cost of building its new 9000 seater stadium.
Legal Update
Are redress schemes the answer to improving the way abuse claims are dealt with?
The search for improved ways of dealing with abuse claims has put a spotlight on redress schemes; with Manchester City football club recently announcing a scheme and Lambeth Council providing a ‘half time’ assessment of their scheme.
Legal Update
Pope admits that priests sexually abused nuns
Internationally, a number of investigations and inquiries have unearthed historical sexual abuse by priests. Previously, the focus had been on allegations of abuse against children.
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