- Related capabilities
Sporting organisations and broadcasters face myriad complex and risky issues as they seek to bring entertainment to fans. They must navigate broadcast rights, intellectual property, consumer law, sponsorship and advertising regulations as well as venue hire arrangements and entertainment contracting.
We have deep experience advising our sporting, broadcasting and sponsorship clients on legal issues to maximise their investment in sports and entertainment products and minimise commercial risk.
We also understand the sports and media industries are inherently competitive and, at times, tension can arise. We partner with our clients in these industries to reach commercial resolutions and enable clients to focus their attention on maximising entertainment and commercial value.
advised major Australian sporting codes on television and broadcast rights arrangements for rugby league with Nine Entertainment, Foxtel and domestic and international streaming partners. Advised online wagering operators on multi-million-dollar media rights, streaming and sponsorship agreements with racing or major sporting code partners including Australian Football League, National Rugby League, Cricket Australia, Rugby Australia, National Basketball Association, Formula 1, Racing Victoria, Racing NSW, Greyhound Racing Victoria and Sky Racing.
advised major Australian sporting codes on litigation involving negligence or concussion, and operation of competition rules, governance framework and club licences and league funding arrangements. Also regularly advised clubs and players participating in the Australian Football League and National Rugby League competitions on challenging tribunal or judiciary decisions, gradings and appeals.
prepared and negotiated critical commercial contracts for major Australian sporting codes, including multi-million-dollar naming rights sponsorship agreements with Telstra, Ampol and ENGIE, and venue hire agreements for staging national entertainment events including the National Rugby League Grand Final and State of Origin.