Sports
Our sports practice provides a first class offering for a range of different sports including motorsports, soccer, golf, cricket, tennis and horseracing. We also have a strong reputation in sports retail and the sourcing and manufacture of sports wear and goods. Sports law is an aggregation of various different legal disciplines (commercial, contractual, tortious, IP) and sector-specific regulatory knowledge. Our expertise in both means we are well placed to provide cohesive advice on behalf of businesses and individuals operating in the sports arena.
Examples of our work in the sports sector includes:
1Malaysia
Acting for 1Malaysia on two well-publicised High Court trade mark and passing off disputes with Group Lotus plc relating to: i) ownership of the mark TEAM LOTUS and the green and yellow livery; and ii) the advertising and marketing association between Team Lotus and Caterham Cars.
Nike and Umbro
Advising on a comprehensive review and amendment of the standard contracts which Nike and Umbro have in place for football player, club and federation endorsements.
Peter Lim
Advising the Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim on his high profile £360m bid for Liverpool FC.
Reebok
Acting for Reebok on a High Court dispute with Liverpool FC and a LCIA arbitration relating to a joint venture agreement.
Team Lotus
Advising on all aspects of establishing and running this F1 team – regulatory approval, car development, driver deals, team personnel and sponsorship.
The London Triathlon
Negotiating rights and sponsorship deals for the London Triathlon and several leading Premiership soccer clubs.
Tune QPR
Advising Tune QPR, Tony Fernandes' acquisition vehicle, on its acquisition of 66 per cent of the shares and shareholder debt in QPR Holdings Limited, the parent company of QPR football club. The interests were acquired from Bernie Ecclestone and Sarita, a BVI vehicle linked to Flavio Briatore.
Umbro
Acting for this well known football brand on an ICC arbitration relating to a damages claim arising out of the termination of a territorial trade mark licence.
