Sports

In the complex, competitive and increasingly global sports industry, getting the right legal advice from the outset is invaluable. Whether you are an athlete or agent negotiating a contract, a sports governing body facing regulatory and disciplinary challenges, or a sports business competing in an international market, our dedicated sports lawyers are here to support you.

Expert sports law solicitors

Penningtons Manches Cooper’s enthusiastic and dynamic team of sports law specialists offers an integrated service in a broad spectrum of issues, assisting organisations, commercial entities and talented individuals of all disciplines across the sector. We are one of the only firms nationwide that can support the entire lifecycle of an international player, coach or manager who, among other legal needs, will require specific and sophisticated wealth management and tax planning.

We also have a strong reputation for resolving complex disputes and conducting sensitive investigations on behalf of sports clubs, charities and governing bodies, including where there have been allegations or concern of misconduct by leadership, coaches or team members.

Widely acknowledged for our passion and sector insight, and recognised by Chambers UK and the Legal 500 for our ‘strategically astute’ and ‘commercial’ approach, our sports lawyers advise across many different sports – from football, rugby, tennis, athletics and esports to netball, cricket, sailing and motorsports.

Members of our team have real life experience in the sports sector, gained by having previously worked within sporting bodies and organisations. Our lawyers also have significant expertise in supporting clients in the broader sports and entertainment field including advising venue owners, sponsors, retailers and broadcasters.

I really feel like I can trust Penningtons blindly when it comes to the depth and breadth of their industry knowledge.

Whether conducting investigations into finance, governance, regulatory, disciplinary or conduct issues; arranging visas and resolving immigration matters at short notice; advising on maternity and family rights; representing sporting professionals in court proceedings or arbitrations; protecting confidential information and trade secrets; or handling social media storms and libel claims, Penningtons Manches Cooper’s sports lawyers deliver expert advice clients can rely on.

We have an international client base, and have taken a lead role in the launch of the Multilaw Sport global service which provides specialist knowledge to sports clients around the world. Our lawyers are pro-active members of key sports industry organisations, including the British Association for Sport and Law (BASL) and Women in Sports Law. They also serve on Sports Resolutions’ pro-bono panel and various National Governing Body disciplinary panels.

How we help our clients

Disciplinary and related issues with employers and sports governing bodies

Employment contracts for teams, staff and athletes

Advice on maternity and modern family-related policies

Immigration matters for teams, clubs and athletes

Sports investigations

Reputation management, defamation and privacy issues

Sponsorship, merchandising and advertising for commercial partners, broadcasters and events

Brand protection, intellectual property and image rights

Club acquisitions and international investment

Legal aspects of event management for venue owners, including online issues

Legal and operational issues affecting football clubs

Sports law advice for individuals

Useful resources

Sports podcast series: Fair Play

The lifecycle of an international athlete: negotiating sponsorship and endorsements deals

Recent work highlights

English Football League chief executive club move

Dealing with the move of an English Football League chief executive from one club to another, advising on both the settlement agreement from the old club, and contract of employment from the new club.

Managerial pay-off battles

Dealing with a number of high-value English Premier League Managers’ Arbitration Tribunal cases on behalf of managers and coaches in relation to the failure of clubs to honour their contractual obligations following termination of employment.

Professional footballer contract dispute

Representing a professional footballer in an overdue payables claim before the FIFA Tribunal. The claim was successful, and the club was ordered to pay the outstanding amounts due.

Football club finance investigations

Advising on HMRC investigations into football club finances from both a criminal and civil perspective, as well as on the potential implications from the regulatory point of view of the FA.

Child arrangement advice following separation

Acting for the parent, a topflight footballer, in reintroducing contact with his child after the mother withheld contact, and successfully negotiating a reduction in child maintenance under Schedule One (unmarried parent).

Premier League chief financial officer exit

Advising the chief financial officer of the owner of a Premier League football club on his exit from the club, and subsequently assisting with the negotiation of the resulting settlement agreement.

Chief executive whistleblowing claim

Providing legal guidance with regards to an Employment Tribunal whistleblowing dismissal claim on behalf of the former chief executive of a Premier League football club.

Football manager newspaper libel case

Representing a professional football manager in a libel case against a UK regional news publisher, resulting in a published apology from the newspaper and paid damages.

Gillingham Football Club acquisition

Acting for US-based businessman Brad Galinson on the purchase of a majority stake in the holding company of Sky Bet League Two team Gillingham Football Club.

Senior football club role exit strategy

Advising a football club on internal employment matters, including a recent commercially sensitive change in a senior role, a grievance process, and exit strategy.