Bird & Bird LLP’s dedicated sports group handles the full breadth of work in the sector, encompassing contentious and regulatory issues as well as non-contentious sports matters. The practice acts for international federations, national governing bodies, integrity units, event organisers, public agencies, broadcasters, sponsors and agencies across professional sports. Practice head Jonathan Taylor KC advises on a wide range of issues for sports-based clients, including commercial disputes, investigations and challenges to regulatory decisions. Max Duthie is instructed on discipline and anti-doping, ticketing, brand protection, player contracts, sponsorship and dispute resolution matters, while Craig Giles specialises in media rights. Andy Danson focuses on commercial agreements, with specific expertise in the gambling sector. From a transactional perspective, Robert Turner and Joss Hargrave are the key names to note, with the latter offering considerable experience in the sports finance sphere. Richard Bush and Lauren Pagé support clients across regulatory and contentious sporting issues. Associates Will Deller and Emma Drake are further vital team members.

Sports boutique Northridge Law LLP acts for a wide variety of clients in the sector, including athletes, clubs and governing bodies. Commercial litigator Jonathan Ellis leads the team, with clients including the FA. Co-head Ian Lynam offers expertise in financial regulation, data, M&A, rules and regulations, sponsorship agreements, transfers, player contracts and image rights. Jon Walters is recommended for dealing with governance, corporate investment and acquisitions, and commercial rights deals. Other integral members within the practice include James Eighteen and Paul Shapiro, with the latter focusing on sporting commercial and regulatory issues, such as sponsorship, merchandising, and image rights structures. Beyond partner level, managing associate Oliver Harland specialises in litigation and contentious regulatory matters for sports governing bodies. Fellow managing associates Mike Herbert and George Willis add to the depth of the firm’s offering.

Onside Law LLP, a specialist sports law firm, handles critical matters for football clubs, governing bodies and athletes. Oliver Hunt retains expertise in golf and football, with a focus on image rights. Chris Walsh acts across a broad spectrum of sports-based contentious and commercial work, notably leading the England and Wales Cricket Board’s legal team on the investigation and prosecution arising from Azeem Rafiq’s racism allegations. Jamie Singer provides advice across commercial, intellectual property, governance and regulatory sports matters, in particular on match fixing cases. Adam Leadercramer supprts sports rights holders on general commercial contract, sponsorship and media-related issues. Simon Thorp is adept at handling corporate work for sports-based clients, while Sophie Wilkinson deals with data protection cases. Commercial litigator Stevie Loughrey is particularly active in rugby, football, golf and Formula One. Ben Hanglin and Leon Farr were promoted to the partnership in 2022. Legal directors James Hill, Ross Brown and Harriet Leach are further notable members of the practice.

Centrefield LLP advises clients across a broad range of legal issues, including contractual, disciplinary (including doping), immigration, employment, sponsorship, image rights, commercial, corporate, defamation and criminal law. The Manchester-based specialist sports and media law practice is recommended for its work in football, specifically regarding transactions and regulatory issues; this includes transfers, player contracts, intermediary arrangements and disciplinary issues. Practice head Matthew Bennett focuses on player transfers, disciplinary cases and in the resolution of disputes at an international level. The practice is also overseen by Edward Canty, who advises on key governance issues relating to football and David Bentham, a specialist in the commercial aspects of sport. Stuart Baird completes the leadership quartet, offering expertise in immigration-related matters. Senior associate Oliver Sadler adds to the team’s strength in depth, acting on sports-based commercial issues.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is instructed by broad range of sports clients, including governing bodies, clubs and athletes, across contentious and non-contentious issues. The practice offers specific expertise in sports integrity, rights and marketing, and technology. Jason Saiban heads the sport, retail and technology team, specialising in sponsorship, merchandising, advertising and marketing, and event management. Co-head Nic Couchman has advised Manchester United and England footballer Marcus Rashford on a range of commercial matters. Edward Craig specialises in equine matters, while Satish Khandke handles corporate sports law issues. Nick White dedicates his services to sports-related blockchain and web 3.0 work. Senior associate Richard Davies advises on sports-tech related sponsorship, media rights and arrangements, while fellow associate Danielle Sharkey acts for governing bodies on contentious, regulatory and integrity issues. Jody MacDonald has moved to Level.

Level operates a non-traditional structure, providing its senior specialist lawyers with a platform through which they run their own individual practices. The firm’s client roster features high-profile footballers, national and international federations, teams, agencies and broadcasters in the sports sector. Morris Bentata is recommended for his work in sports media and data. Daniel Lowen and Liz Coley offer expertise in the UK football industry. Dan Harrington advises on the acquisition and sale of domestic and international sports rights, whereas Fraser Reid primarily focuses on contractual matters and athletes’ commercial activities. Tim Lowles is well-regarded for his contentious sports practice . Rowena Samarasinhe  is another key name within the department, while family specialist Sofia Dionissiou-Moussaoui is another recent addition to the team. John Reid has now joined from Russells Solicitors and Jody MacDonald from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP.

Lewis Silkin provides a one-stop shop of advice for sporting clients, including clubs, athletes, coaches, federations, agents, investors and sports businesses. Particular areas of focus include football player transfers, recruitment of football managers and coaching staff, sports immigration and IP matters. Practice head Alex Kelham advises on a wide-range of sports sponsorship, events, media and other commercial deals. Co-head Jonathan Carr operates from the Oxford office, handling employment issues for sports-sector clients. Andrew Osborne and newly promoted partner Stephen O’Flaherty are both renowned for dealing with sports immigration matters. Senior associate John Shea is a further key individual within the team.

Morgan Sports Law, a specialist sports arbitration and litigation law firm, offers expertise in anti-doping as well as rugby, equestrian and football disputes. Managing partner Mike Morgan focuses his attention on anti-doping matters. Co-head Richard Martin leads the innovation team and unique science unit; the latter advises on science-heavy doping disputes and acts for individuals and sports organisations in relation to the scientific elements of non-contentious anti-doping matters. William Sternheimer completes the leadership trio, primarily dealing with football disputes. Senior associate Donna Bartley is another vital cog within the practice.

Pinsent Masons LLP advises football clubs, sporting governing bodies and sponsors across a variety of matters. Global head of sport Trevor Watkins acts for a number of high-profile clients including Premier League football clubs and World Athletics. Manchester-based Julian Diaz-Rainey focuses on sporting disciplinary cases, specifically within football. Samantha Livesey also operates from the Manchester branch, handling technology and commercial contract matters for sports sector clients.

Squire Patton Boggs is best known for handling corporate, contentious and regulatory, commercial, IP, and employment matters for sports clients globally. The team operates closely with the media, new media and gaming team. Practice head Stephen Sampson primarily handles contentious and regulatory work, with extensive experience appearing before sports tribunals and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Warren Phelops advises clients on a variety of sports-related issues, including content ownership and exploitation, event staging and broadcast/media matters. Associate Dr Katie Smith acts for clubs, governing bodies, media companies, athletes and agents.

Brabners LLP’s client base includes governing bodies, elite sports clubs and high-profile individuals. The Manchester-based multi-disciplinary team incorporates lawyers with expertise in regulatory, governance, funding, immigration and employment, commercial and reputation management issues, among others. Practice head Lydia Edgar, also head of the Manchester employment and pensions team, is recognised for handling high-profile appointments and exits in the sports industry. Jason Smith specialises in sporting commercial rights, while legal director Andrew McGregor and senior associate Catherine Forshaw focus on football-related matters. IP lead Colin Bell and head of litigation Paul Lunt add to the practice’s strength in depth.

Clifford Chance LLP handles high-stakes disputes, finance and corporate matters for sports-sector clients; this includes Premier League football clubs, governing bodies, broadcasters as well as other stakeholders. Chris Yates oversees the practice, recommended for dealing with reputationally significant litigation and crisis management issues. Co-head and senior associate James Cranston, specialises in anti-doping. Tim Lewis  and Jennifer Chimanga, a dual qualified lawyer in England and Wales and Kenya, support clients across commercial and corporate sports matters; Lewis has recently been serving as a non-executive director of Arsenal Football Club.

CMS provides support across a variety of sports sector matters, with particular areas of focus including sports media rights, IP, corporate and finance, competition and disputes. Practice head David Zeffman is recommended for handling the launch of television channels and the sale of media rights within the sports space. John Enser advises broadcasters and rights holders on complex issues involving media exploitation. IP lawyer Tom Scourfield and newly promoted Scotland-based partner Neeraj Thomas are further key individuals within the practice. John Cloke  joined from DLA Piper in September 2022.

DLA Piper handles UK and international media rights work on behalf of rights holders and broadcasters, with notable clients including the Premier League. The practice is also recommended for its work on commercial partnership rights and brand ambassador arrangements. Practice head Nick Fitzpatrick offers considerable experience in dealing with major sporting events, exploitation of media rights, sponsorship, sports administration, copyright, gambling and advertising issues. John Wilks focuses his attention on IP issues within sport. Senior associate Samuel Churney is another key name to note. Former partner John Cloke  joined CMS in September 2022.

Farrer & Co is instructed on governance, integrity and safeguarding issues in sport. The practice is home to a unique safeguarding unit, which acts for a range of national and international sporting institutions. Practice head Julian Pike advises on corporate and reputation management strategy as well as disputes for sports sector clients. Henry Sainty specialises in commercial contracts and data protection. David Hunt and Katie Fudakowski represent sports governing bodies on the full-range of employment and equality related matters. Tom Bruce is noted for handling corporate, governance issues, critical joint ventures and the structuring of international sporting events. Paul Jones and Owen O’Rorke are also recommended.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP’s sports practice centres on sports marketing and technology, regulatory work, reputation management and player representation. Practice head Bob Mitchell has significant experience advising sports-based clients on both commercial and regulatory issues. Michael Lister has a particular focus on athlete contracts, sponsorship and endorsement agreements, and event staging arrangements. Dalton Odendaal supports clients in relation to hosting and staging sports events. Beyond partnership level, senior associates Sam Purkiss and Mike Jones bolster the sport department’s offering.

Mills & Reeve LLP's team 'have an in-depth knowledge of the sports sector and a reputation for quality' - the practice advises on arbitration and litigation, commercial rights, acting for a client base which includes several high-profile football players and domestic governing bodies. Practice head Mark Hovell fronts the team alongside Carol Couse, with latter specialising in the football industry, including handling transfers, playing contracts and disciplinary issues. The duo split their time between Manchester and London, while Richard Santy, who also works from the firm's Birmingham base, deals with employment issues within the sports sector. London practice head Julian Moore is recommended for his work in relation to sports media, sponsorship and image rights deals, often collaborating with Australian-qualified principal associate Tiran Gunawardena. Fellow prinicipal associate Phil Hutchinson, who splits his time between Birmingham and Manchester, has developed a niche advising on international player transfers for professional football clubs and agents.

Muckle LLP  represents a range of national sports governing bodies, including the FA, Sport England, England Athletics, parkrun Global and Parkour UK. The Newcastle-based practice retains expertise in club structures, tax status, complex facilities projects and regulatory matters. The team overseen by John Devine also handles a broad range of work for football clubs and players, including contractual matters, transfer dealings, image rights, agency issues and disciplinary hearings. Tony McPhillips offers experience in dealing with professional player and manager contracts.

RPC is recommended for its commercial and sports regulatory work, with clients including Premiership Rugby club Saracens. As well as handling sports retail matters for clients such as Sports Direct, the team is instructed by technology and social media businesses on sports and esports-related commercial and data issues. Practice head Jeremy Drew offers expertise in sports retail, licensing, sponsorship deals, disputes, regulatory issues and gaming. Associate lead for the sports group Josh Charalambous is a sports disputes, commercial and regulatory specialist.

Walker Morris LLP handles the full gamut of work for football clubs from sponsorship deals, commercial partnerships and transfer agreements through to real estate, arbitration and sports disciplinary hearings. The Leeds-based firm is also recognised for its work on football club acquisitions, with practice head David Hinchcliffe particular recommened within this area. Beyond partner level, the team is supported by associates Charlotte Smith and Christian Slinger; while the former handles employment litigation for football clubs, the latter focuses on M&A within football. Fellow associate India Seaton specialises predominantly in sports disputes. Former senior associate Katie Reed left to join Tottenham Hotspur as head of legal in early 2021.

US firm Armstrong Teasdale, which took over London practice Kerman & Co in early 2021, focuses its sports practice on laws relating to ticketing, including developing legislation targeting ticket touting, and sports sponsorship. The team also handles IP, technology and event management issues for sports-based clients. Practice head Zane Shihab provides commercial advice to global sporting brands, international sporting bodies and events and high-profile individuals. James Thorndyke has considerable experience acting on regulatory and disciplinary issues. Highly experienced consultant Nick Bitel focuses on rights protection, endorsement licensing, merchandising agreements, as well as structures and strategy for sports rights holders.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is commended for its work in relation to sports financing, litigation and arbitration. The practice also advises on sports commercial agreements, player transfers and changes to the FIFA and FA regulations. Graham Shear - 'one of the best sports lawyers around' - leads the team; he is known for dealing with players rights, third party financing and a broad spectrum of sports-related disputes. Marc Trottier handles financing deals within the sports sector. Marcus Pearl and senior associate Andrew Street are further key names to note.

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s multi-disciplinary team handles a range of work within the sports arena, including employment and contractual issues, sports stadium matters, dispute resolution, corporate finance and licensing advice. The team is spread across the firm’s London, Bristol and Manchester offices. Practice head Jan Levinson offers expertise in sports injuries. Tim Ryan handles licensing, sponsorship, merchandising, hospitality and data advisory issues for clients throughout the sports sector. Associate Richard Rowe defends employers and public liability claims within motorsport, football and rugby.

Fladgate LLP’s practice spans a wide range of sports including motor racing, cricket, football, golf and cycling. The team supports clients on intellectual property, sponsorship, broadcasting and web rights, fundraising, events, and regulatory issues. The practice also acts for funders and investors in the sports industry on financing transactions. James Earl oversees the team and is ably supported by associate Joshua Bennett.

Fletcher Sports Law is recommended for advising football agents players, managers and brands on both contentious and non-contentious matters; this includes player transfers, endorsement agreements, regulatory issues, contractual matters and dispute resolution. The Manchester-based firm has also developed its boxing practice, currently advising several well-known boxers including undisputed super light weight world champion Josh Taylor. Practice head Paul Fletcher is renowned for football-related matters, supported by associate Tom Grant.

Latham & Watkins deals with a wide range of issues across the sports spectrum, including media rights, sponsorship, technology, events and private capital investment into sport. Practice head Patrick Mitchell handles commercial transactions, with particular expertise in media rights and sponsorship arrangements, the launch and expansion of media and digital services, sports technology, and establishing and monetising major international events. Ed Barnett handles sports sector M&A. Counsel Rachael Astin and associate Stewart Robinson are further key names to note.

McCormicks handles matters for an array of sports-based clients, predominantly within the football industry. Practice head Peter McCormick was appointed interim chairman of the Premier League in January 2022 and continues to fulfill a number of other renowned governing roles across football. James Towler and Philip Edmondson also lead the Harrogate practice; while the former deals with corporate and commercial transactions in the sports space, the latter takes charge of litigation portfolios for sporting clients.

Mishcon de Reya LLP acts for an array of clients in relation to sporting disputes, regulatory issues and technology matters. Practice head Simon Leaf is recognised for handling broadcasting issues, image rights agreements, sponsorship arrangements, international transfers and other commercial contracts. Peter Nunn leads the sports disputes element of the practice, advising sports clubs, regulatory bodies, athletes and intermediaries on all forms of dispute resolution. Managing associate Tom Murray focuses on regulatory issues, including financial fair play and third-party ownership, sponsorship, image rights and disputes.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP’s full-service sports offering supports clients across football, including the League Managers Association, motorsports, athletics and esports. The practice also retains expertise in sailing and yacht races. Team head Andrew Haywood focuses on employment, eligibility, discrimination, business protection and disciplinary issues in sports. Richard Marshall has extensive experience in contentious sports-related matters, particularly regarding tax and fraud cases.

Russells Solicitors is well-regarded for representing individual sporting talent on private client, matrimonial employment, media work and litigation advice. The practice also advises sports clubs and management agencies, across boxing and football. Practice head Steven Tregear specialises in sports litigation; he is recognised for acting on claims and disputes concerning contractual and copyright-related matters, as well as defamation and privacy claims. John Reid has now moved to Level.

Slaughter and May‘s client base includes sports clubs, individuals, owners, leading governing bodies and corporate organisations. Key areas of focus for the multi-disciplinary team include sporting appointments, transfers, M&A, financing, governance, stadia related work, media rights, disputes and investigations. Corporate partner Mark Zerdin heads the practice alongside Andrew Jolly, who provides clients with specialist sports law, regulatory and governance advice, particularly within football.

TSC Legal, a boutique sports law practice, is recognised for handling matters relating to event planning, sponsorship and sports marketing, comerical regulatory matters, governance and integrity, and player data issues. The practice is supported by its intergrated marketing and consulting agency, The Sports Consultancy. Practice head Andy Korman is a sports marketing and sponsorship specialist, while associate Rob Jones offers niche expertise on event hosting agreements. David Becker is another key member of the team.

Wiggin LLP advises organisations, rights holders, broadcasters and platform aggregators on the acquistion and exploitation of audio-visual, data and media rights. The practice also deals with sponsorship arrangements, image rights deals and brand activations in the sports sector. Practice head Ross Sylvester specialises in commercial sports rights acquisition and exploitation across all consumer platforms and distribution models. Sarah MacDonald leads on sponsorship, advertising and marketing matters, while senior associate Sarah Drake works closely with media businesses in developing their sports content portfolios and consumer offerings.

Clintons handles contractual arrangements, disputes, regulatory and disciplinary issues, brand protection and exploitation, and corporate matters for sports sector clients. Litigator Karim Bouzidi handles a variety of disputes in the sport sector.

Dentons supports its sports-based clients across an array of matters, including the establishment of major events, setting up/reorganising leagues, M&A as well as financings and insolvencies. The practice is also recommended for dealing with sporting commercial agreements, litigation and stadium construction issues. Richard Barham leads the practice alongside Milton Keynes-based Nick Harrison.

Hamlins LLP is recommended for advising on the structuring and launch of new sports events, initiatives and formats. The firm’s cross-sport client base comprises governing bodies, sportspeople, sports agents, commercial organisations, ticketing companies and sports media businesses. Matthew Pryke leads the team, with considerable experience in sports events management, broadcast and promoter agreements, commercial arrangements, sponsorships, regulatory issues and player transfers.

Payne Hicks Beach LLP operates across a variety of sports, with a specific focus on boxing, cycling, sailing, equine, Formula 1 and football. Practice head Jonathan Gatward focuses on non-contentious matters, with expertise in sailing. Hanna Basha has developed a niche boxing practice, handling defamation, privacy, data protection, breach of confidence and crisis management issues. Senior associate Nick Grant is another key member of the team, specialising in reputation protection generally, including pre-publication and pre-broadcast advice.

Shoosmiths LLP acts for clients across the sporting landscape, including within football, cricket and rugby. Manchester-based Richard Millington oversees the team, focusing on cross-border joint ventures, outsourcing, IP exploitation sponsorship, distribution and agency arrangements. Associate Emily Soilleux operates from the London office and provides advice on sports transactions, sponsorship and agency agreements as well as broadcast rights.

Simons Muirhead Burton’s multidisciplinary team offers expertise in sports disputes, regulatory and governance issues, crisis management and talent representation. Other notable areas of focus include sports media, commercial arrangements, corporate transactions and charity-related sports work. Practice head Marc Sobol is recommended for his work in media rights. Simon Goldberg, also head of the firm’s media and business rights team, advises on a range of corporate and commercial transactions for sports-based clients.

Solesbury Gay, a boutique sports law firm, handles contentious matters, commercial arrangements and anti-doping issues for clients across Formula 1, football, motorsport and Olympic sports. Practice head Mark Gay has notable expertise in sports governance issues and can draw on broad High Court and arbitration experience. Tom Solesbury, a double Olympian, co-leads the practice and acts for clients on a wide-range of sport-related issues.

Winston & Strawn LLP advises sports-related entities on matters of finance, corporate and competition law. The US-based firm has seen increasing instructions on athlete right matters, bolstered by the department’s close ties with the British Athletes’ Commission and PFA. Peter Crowther , also managing partner of the Brussels office, focuses on complaints and investigations relating to athlete welfare, performance development, funding, selection, classification, doping, and athlete agreements.

Burges Salmon LLP offers expertise in horse racing, football, motorsport, and polo. The Bristol-based practice is renowned for dealing with regulatory issues and brand management. Practice head Jeremy Dickerson  is recognised for his work in sponsorship, merchandising, advertising, internet issues, sport litigation and anti-doping.

Fieldfisher’s cross-disciplinary sports practice operates closely with lawyers from the firm’s commercial, corporate, media, IP, dispute resolution, technology, finance and employment teams. Clients includes governing bodies, clubs, brands, public and private companies across sports such as football, rugby union and cricket. Andrew Sanderson and Patrick Cannon co-lead the department.

Howard Kennedy LLP advises governing bodies, clubs, agencies and other sports organisations on governance issues, strategic acquisitions and disposals, merchandising and endorsement rights, and commercial contracts. The firm also acts for sporting individuals on personal private matters and has developed a burgeoning esports practice. Department lead Lois Langton, also head of family law, is recognised for her work in football. Co-head Fiona Hinds deals with sports-related disputes and investigations.

Keoghs LLP focuses on sports and healthcare-related claims, in particular in relation to football, rugby and equine issues. The practice is instructed on matters relating to reputational damage, sexual and racial abuse and sports injury as well as disciplinary and regulatory proceedings. Healthcare head Sian Davies fronts the practice and focuses on sports claims involving healthcare issues and delays/failure in diagnosis claims.

Keystone Law’s sports offering combines expertise in litigation, reputation management, intellectual property, corporate, tax, employment, competition and private client maters. Jamie Horner has a focus on the motorsport industry, while Rachel Flynn specialises in horseracing and equine sports. Gerard Cukier advises on reputation management issues and Paul Daniels handles employment disputes within sport.

Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in the acquisition and disposal of sports franchises, negotiation of sponsorship deals, stadium financings and developments, and regulatory investigations. Corporate lawyer and practice head Stephen Rigby has developed a niche advising overseas investors into UK football clubs, as well as handling more general sporting and commercial matters.

Russell-Cooke LLP advises on the administration, governance and purchase of professional football clubs, constitutional regulatory matters and setting up sporting organisations as charitable trusts. The practice also deals with child protection policies and immigration issues for sports companies. Practice head Matt Bosworth handles reputational issues for sports-based clients.

Stephenson Harwood is recommended for its work on matters relating to insolvency, particularly involving football clubs, and motorsport. Ben Sigler fronts the practice. Julian Cahn and newly promoted partner Nick Axup are further names to note.