Sport and Leisure

Navigating professional sports laws and regulations in Australia

Sport and leisure

We take pride in our collaboration with some of the largest and most renowned sport and leisure organizations in Australia.

Our team of sports attorneys comprises approachable experts who possess a deep understanding of the commercial and legal challenges confronting today’s sports administrators and operators. Our advisory services are characterized by clarity, practicality, and comprehensiveness.

With a combined industry experience spanning two decades, we offer expertise in various areas including sports contracting, governance, regulation, integrity, employment, trademarks, and branding. Our clientele includes governing bodies, sports leagues, racing clubs, teams, venues, major event operators, and government entities.

Sport and leisure

We take pride in our collaboration with some of the largest and most renowned sport and leisure organizations in Australia.

Our team of sports attorneys comprises approachable experts who possess a deep understanding of the commercial and legal challenges confronting today’s sports administrators and operators. Our advisory services are characterized by clarity, practicality, and comprehensiveness.

With a combined industry experience spanning two decades, we offer expertise in various areas including sports contracting, governance, regulation, integrity, employment, trademarks, and branding. Our clientele includes governing bodies, sports leagues, racing clubs, teams, venues, major event operators, and government entities.

Legal solutions, redefined

Our approach is rooted in a thorough understanding of the intricate legal framework governing professional sports in Australia. We prioritise offering comprehensive advice tailored to the specific requirements of athletes, teams, and sporting organizations. Our experienced legal team brings together a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for sports, ensuring that our clients receive premium representation. Whether it’s contract negotiations, dispute resolution, compliance matters, or regulatory guidance, we provide a complete range of services to empower our clients in the dynamic world of professional sports. With our unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes, we redefine the concept of legal solutions within the sports and leisure industry.

Engagement of staff and athletes

We possess an in-depth understanding of the industry and its stakeholders. Our legal professionals routinely collaborate with sports and leisure organizations, bringing extensive experience in engaging both staff and athletes in negotiations for individual or collective bargaining agreements. Our end-to-end engagement service encompasses contract management, bargaining strategy development, advice on restructuring, and employment conditions.

Disciplinary tribunals, selection disputes, and member protection

Dealing with disputes and disciplinary proceedings can be intricate and emotionally charged. As sports attorneys, our expertise is built on years of experience designing disciplinary processes. We offer steadfast support to sporting organizations during complex disputes and tribunal hearings.

Our extensive knowledge of disputes informs our work in developing policies and national frameworks. We understand the importance of processes that are fair, responsive, and resilient enough to withstand challenges.

We have collaborated with sporting bodies at various levels, from national to local clubs, and our advice and insights are thoroughly researched, yet communicated in a straightforward manner.

Sports governance

The increasing professionalization, commercialization, and emphasis on integrity have elevated the importance of sound corporate governance in sports and leisure organizations. Many of these entities operate under federated or member-based models, posing complex challenges. Whether you are a club, governing body, or government entity, we can assist you in navigating these challenges and establishing streamlined yet effective structures that align with modern requirements.

Sports disputes, anti-doping, and court of arbitration for sport (CAS)

Resolving sports disputes necessitates adept handling of complex contractual and jurisdictional issues. Guidance from an experienced legal team is essential to achieving your desired outcomes.

We boast substantial experience in advising on matters such as anti-doping, selection and eligibility disputes on both national and international levels. Our sports attorneys have represented organizations before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and possess an intimate knowledge of the processes involved. We recognize the contractual nature of sports litigation and make it a priority to provide clear and compassionate explanations of processes and issues.

The establishment of the National Sports Tribunal (NST) has provided a new avenue for resolving sporting disputes. Having been actively involved in discussions and consultations regarding its formation, we are well-equipped to assist with all NST-related matters. Our team can aid in designing and implementing a robust dispute resolution framework, complete with the necessary rules and policies.

Sports integrity

We routinely assist various sporting bodies in addressing emerging issues, ensuring that our knowledge of compliance and integrity requirements remains up-to-date. We are ideally positioned to guide sporting organizations through the complexities of regulatory environments and to help them establish effective preventative frameworks.

Sports integrity

We routinely assist various sporting bodies in addressing emerging issues, ensuring that our knowledge of compliance and integrity requirements remains up-to-date. We are ideally positioned to guide sporting organizations through the complexities of regulatory environments and to help them establish effective preventative frameworks.

A legal Will should be reviewed whenever you:

  • Anti-doping
  • Match-Fixing and Manipulation
  • Child Safety and Child Protection
  • Member Protection Issues

Competition and league structures

The rapidly evolving media landscape and growing competition from other forms of entertainment necessitate adaptability for sporting organizations to thrive. We offer specialized legal and commercial advice to help organizations flourish, covering areas such as:

  • Reviews of organizational structures, competition formats, and rules
  • Commercialization and intellectual property counsel
  • Guidance on digital media and dealing with disruption
  • Legal structures for enhancing revenue growth

Sports contracting and negotiations

Our track record includes representing numerous clients in multimillion-dollar sponsorship and commercial agreements. Our team understands how to manage risk while seizing commercial opportunities in areas such as sponsorship, merchandising, licensing, venue rental, and other commercial deals. We are committed to ensuring that your sports contract negotiations meet deadlines and deliver favorable commercial outcomes.

Risk management

With a history of advising world championship organizers, major event funding partners, and peak sporting bodies, our sports attorneys possess unparalleled knowledge and experience in risk management within the industry. Our team can help you maintain viable operational environments while safeguarding against integrity risks and other threats.

Our commitment to exceptional service

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We offer a free thirty minute consultation. We aim to provide you with a realistic assessment and information about your matter.