Overview

As the sport industry grows and becomes increasingly commercial, it faces new and difficult challenges. Our sports lawyers have acted for clients in the sector for over 30 years and are renowned for working on complex groundbreaking cases.

By combining deep industry insight and legal expertise from across the firm, our sports lawyers deliver a complete service tailored to the needs of our clients. We have established a reputation for winning high profile cases, working with world leading international federations, public bodies, sports clubs and athletes. Our sports lawyers also have a wealth of experience advising on transactional matters, as well as advising on the intersection between technology and sport by supporting our clients with data protection and cyber security related issues.

Our team of sports law specialists is led by partner Jeremy Dickerson, who is recognised as a star individual by Chambers and an expert in anti-doping, sports litigation and sponsorship matters.

Our sports lawyers are also active in shaping the industry, having worked on leading cases involving sport regulation, from financial fair play to anti-doping.

Areas of focus

Our sports law expertise includes the following:

  • Sports data and technology
  • Regulation, governance and anti-doping
  • IP, broadcast and licensing
  • Sponsorship and marketing
  • Stadia, licensing, policing and event organisation
  • Corporate finance and banking
  • Employment
  • Real estate, construction and planning
Experience

Advising US based Trivela on the acquisition of Walsall FC in 2022 and Trivela and Walsall FC on various matters including a refinancing and stadium acquisition.

Acting for the founder shareholders on the sale of sport data collection, production and tracking provider, FlightScope Services, to US corporate IMG Arena.

Advising a number of global brands on sponsorship arrangements with the Premier League and a leading Formula 1 Racing team.

Advising a leading Premier League football club on its metaverse experience.

Acting for Discovery/Eurosport in High Court proceedings relating to the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Acted for Leeds United FC in a test case against West Yorkshire Police in relation to police financial charges for match day policing at Elland Road. We successfully established before the Court of Appeal that the manner of charging for policing adopted by West Yorkshire Police was illegal and the club was entitled to a refund.

Acted for Gunn & Moore in its sponsorship of international cricket players.

Acted for The Racecourse Association in defending a £360 million claim against it from Premier Telesports. The claim revolved around the right to transmit live pictures of UK horse racing in Russia and the Baltic states.

Advising a number of the country's leading Football League clubs on various issues including employment and immigration matters, licensing issues, data protection issues, property issues, financial arrangements, sponsorship agreements, general commercial arrangements, proposed share issue and also in relation to one of the club's football academy and on the use of CCTV in stadia.

Meet the team
Jeremy Dickerson

Jeremy Dickerson Partner

  • Head of International 
  • Head of Intellectual Property, Media and Sport
  • Defamation and Reputation Management
Dominic Davis

Dominic Davis Partner

  • Corporate M&A
  • Private Wealth
  • Entrepreneurs
Luke Bowery

Luke Bowery Partner

  • Employment
  • Restructuring and Redundancy
  • Equality, Diversity and Discrimination
Helen Scott-Lawler

Helen Scott-Lawler Partner

  • Head of Food and Drink
  • Commercial
  • Intellectual Property and Media

Key contact

Jeremy Dickerson

Jeremy Dickerson Partner

  • Head of International 
  • Head of Intellectual Property, Media and Sport
  • Defamation and Reputation Management

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