Sports Law

What sports law do we do?

We advise clients across the business of sport covering take overs and acquisitions of sports clubs, commercial, advisory, regulatory, anti-doping, criminal & disciplinary, financing, contentious and non-contentious issues within the sports sector.

The Sports team currently advise across a wide range of sports including football, basketball, boxing, racing and martial arts. The team’s client base includes a number of football clubs across all leagues, as well as players, boxers, athletes, trainers, managers, coaches, promoters and clubs, helping them to deliver reliable, flexible and pragmatic solution-based commercial advice which is tailored to you and your sport.

We are able to draw upon expertise in this specialist sector plus enhance our advice with assistance from across our UK Top 50 firm, in specialist areas such as: intellectual property, real estate, family wealth, corporate and employment with a specific focus on the requirements of your specific sport.

If you are interested in having a discussion with our Sports team, please do get in contact. We would be delighted to help you.

Clients

Notable clients that we are able to confirm are:

• Amir Khan
• Josh Warrington
• A number of Championship football clubs
• A number of EFL League 1 and League 2 football clubs
• A number of National League football clubs

This list is not exhaustive but there is a limit to which clients we can divulge that we act for due to client confidentiality.

Recent Highlights

• Advising Richard Reilly, the ultimate beneficial owner of QPR Newco LLC, on the purchase of a stake in QPR Holdings Limited (the owner of QPR FC & Athletic Club Limited).
• Advising British boxing legend Amir Khan in his well anticipated bout against Kell Brook.
• Acting for a boxer in a contractual dispute with his promoter as to whether he was obliged: (1) to be exclusively promoted by the promoter and (2) enter into a re-match with his previous opponent. The dispute was worth in excess of £1 million.
• Advising the administrators of Derby County Football Club in respect to the club’s appeal of the 12-point deduction for entering into administration. This dispute was worth in excess of £2 million.
• Acting for a racing team in a dispute against Aston Martin, with a value in excess of £500,000.
• Advising a football club in respect to a dispute with a former manager of the club, who sought payment of his notice period. The club advanced a counter-claim relating to the manager’s fiduciary duties to the club when signing players. The dispute was worth in the region of £150,000.
• Advising a martial arts coach in relation to disciplinary proceedings brought against them.
• Acting for a football club in relation to a new kit deal with a large global brand

Why Choose Freeths?

• A dedicated team with genuine in-depth knowledge and experience of the sports sector.

• Members of our team are recommended in the Legal 500 (an independent guide to the legal profession), so you can trust our knowledge and expertise.
• A team of down to earth, approachable and personable people offering practical advice tailored to gain the best outcome for you.