Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Acting for governing bodies, sporting clubs and high-profile athletes, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP routinely provides ‘detailed and thorough guidance’ in cross-border joint ventures, M&A and disposals. On the commercial side, the team stands out for its knowledge in sports data rights and sponsorship deals, while boasting a regulatory offering centred around governance and anti-doping cases. Based out of London and Cheltenham, Richard Davies leads the outfit, being an expert in the sportstech space. Jason Saiban specialises in sports marketing issues, while Edward Craig is knowledgeable in the horseracing sector. Nic Couchman concentrates on sporting rights law, while Keir Gordon, Nick White and Danielle Sharkey are all highlighted as contacts for transactional and litigious matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The associates are hardworking and available.’
‘Keir Gordon and his team are sports industry specialists and extremely experienced. They are approachable and always available, coordinate/collaborate well with other advisers and are flexible to the dynamic nature of the projects they work on. They understand the nuances of the sector – and the characters involved – and are able to find pragmatic solutions to challenges on deals (important in the sports industry) which sets them apart from other advisers.’
‘Keir Gordon has led every sports deal we have worked on with CRS. He has significant industry and sector experience, is very well connected, and is able to calmly navigate challenges on deals and find solutions. He and his team are a pleasure to work with and collaborate well with clients and other advisers.’
‘The team has a unique blend of experience in the sports sector meaning that they are able to provide detailed and thorough guidance regardless of the circumstances. They come up with novel, outside-of-the-box, solutions that provide multiple progressive options. They are very accommodating and will always look for billing solutions where necessary. They are willing to discuss sporting issues and are clearly very knowledgeable on current issues within the industry.’
‘Danielle Sharkey is very familiar in the issues that arise at a sports organisation and is expertly placed to provide dependable advice that balances the interests of the organisation against the various risks. Her candid advice is essential for a fast-moving and high-profile sport and is attributed to her experience in the industry. No doubt also helped by access to a wide skillset range at the firm who are also very approachable in Danielle's absence.’
‘Good experience in the sports sector within the team.’
‘Richard Davies – very responsive and knowledgeable, a calm head.'
'Jason Saiban – our relationship partner, always keen to assist.’

Key clients

The International Tennis Federation (ITF)
Nike
Ascot Racecourse
Marcus Rashford MBE
Wasserman Boxing Limited
British Swimming
Portas Consulting
Thomas Sandgaard (Charlton Athletic Football Company Limited & Charlton Athletic Womens Football Club Limited)
Hussain AlSaeed (Bristol Rovers Football Club)
Diane Culligan (London City Lionesses)

Work highlights

Acting on six high-profile acquisitions and disposals of English football clubs for private investors.
Acting as Nike’s prime UK lawyers; advising it across all sponsorship and sports marketing work, including this year drafting and negotiating the creative services agreements for the Parisian agencies working with Nike on its Olympics marketing initiatives.
Acting for the ITF as its go-to advisers for its most complex and business-critical matters across multiple legal disciplines.

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