A number of UK and world governing bodies in sport – namely swimming, motorsport, athletics and horseracing bodies – call upon Bird & Bird LLP for advice on a host of regulatory matters, including anti-doping, transgender eligibility, nationality representations in world competitions, and novel sport issues. Jonathan Taylor KC, head of the international sports group, and Max Duthie continue to work on ground-breaking mandates concerning evolving regulations and investigations for a range of governing bodies and elite league competitions in football, rugby, tennis and cricket. Craig Giles heads up the sports media rights practice, regularly working with the support of Robert Turner; the pair work on commercial contracts, licenses, and sponsorship deals, particularly in relation to rugby. Giles advises both media broadcasters and event rights holders across a number of sports. Turner is also a specialist in advising rights holders on the exploitation of sports data and audiovisual feeds. Andrew Danson heads up the firm’s global media, entertainment and sport sector group, while co-head of the international finance and financial regulation group Joss Hargrave focuses on football finance matters regarding stadium and project financing, player transfers, sports club restructurings and insolvency arrangements. Richard Bush and Lauren Pagé are the key names to note for contentious regulatory and investigatory matters, acting for a number of sporting governing bodies on disciplinary issues. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Will Deller leads matters involving NFT deals across a range of sports. Chris Lavey, Emma Drake and Lereesa Easterbrook are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very good, market leading industry knowledge. By instructing Bird & Bird you know that you are getting the benefit of first hand, market leading experience. A top team/firm for sports work.’
‘All exceptional - especially Rob Turner, Will Deller and Max Duthie. Craig Giles and Tom Lambert are also very good to work with.’
‘Richard Bush is first-class and the go-to person for all sports integrity issues. He is enthusiastic and hard-working, and always willing to go the extra mile.’
Key clients
- The British & Irish Lions
- Six Nations Rugby
- World Athletics
- The Football Association
- DAZN
- The Premier League
- Fédération Internationale De Natation
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
- Arsenal Football Club
- The Lawn Tennis Association
Work highlights
- Advising World Athletics, Fédération Internationale De Natation and The Football Association on eligibility and selection matters, entailing drafting applications for new regulatory frameworks.
- Supporting British & Irish Lions on establishing a new commercial programme for its tours, putting in place partner agreements to meet the operational and logistical needs.
- Assisting Six Nations Rugby, Standard Chartered, United Rugby Championship, DXC and Arsenal with sponsorship matters.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Taylor KC