The sporting industry continues to face a wide range of issues. We have worked closely with a number of leading names in the sporting industry to build up an in-depth knowledge of the sector.

We are able to provide a service that is tailored to your particular concerns and to advise you on the issues arising in the sporting industry, from investment to commercial contracts.  We have specific experience of providing advice in the following areas:

• Branding Agreements
• Debentures
• Endorsement Contracts
• Licensing and Retail Agreements
• Management Agreements
• Media Rights Advice
• Merchandising Agreements
• Motor Sport Team Contracts
• Publishing Contracts
• Sales and Acquisitions Agreements and Advice
• Sponsorship Agreements
• Ticketing and Hospitality
• Team Establishment and Supply Contracts

We are members of the British Association for Sport and Law and have previous experience working with governing bodies, rights holders, sponsors and sports personalities. Combined with our industry experience is our proven track record, which shows that we can meet the unique needs of the sports industry.

We have experienced lawyers in the UK and across Central and Eastern Europe. Working in partnership with colleagues from other CMS offices and partner firms in the Middle East and Asia, we are able to offer cross-border legal advice on international transactions. We are sensitive to the different legal systems and approaches to negotiation in all of the jurisdictions in which we operate, and we are able to tailor our advice and negotiation strategies accordingly.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• On branding issues relating to the 2012 London Olympic games
• A leading UK sports retailer on licensing agreements with a variety of sports brands and sports teams, and the acquisition of a number of leading brands
• An investor on the acquisition of media rights for an international sports event
• A team on its contractual arrangements for its participation in A1GP
• On testing and driving contracts in a range of motor-sports
• Major consumer product manufacturers on sponsorship and merchandising arrangements for a premiership football team
• An event holder of a grand slam tennis tournament on ticketing arrangements, tour and hospitality arrangements