England - London • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Wiggin LLP

More informationMore information

Wiggin LLP focuses on the global purchase, exploitation and protection of high-value commercial media rights. Practice head Ross Sylvester, who frequently works in conjunction with legal director Sarah Drake, advises both international media groups and various competition rights holders on media rights arrangements and licensing mandates. Sarah MacDonald handles partnership agreements between sponsors, athletes and sporting events, while Sean James is a key contact for sporting investor companies on athlete sponsorships.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very practical and commercially driven advice. Up to date with the latest regulations.’

  • ‘Ross is passionate about sports law. So knowledgeable and resourceful. He is professional and available. He knows how to simplify and navigate the complexities of sports law. I had the pleasure to work with him on so many projects. We worked closely during the world cup and the result was fantastic, our company was able to make the best out of the FIFA World Cup without getting any infringement notices.’

Key clients

  • DAZN Group
  • Manchester United TV
  • FIFA
  • Premiership Rugby
  • EPCR
  • Stats Perform
  • Formula E
  • Two Circles
  • Racecourse Media Group
  • FootballCo Media

Work highlights

  • Advised new client European Professional Club Rugby on the tendering of its media rights and conclusion of agreements with each of its major broadcast partners, including BT Sport (TNT), ITV, RTE, Viaplay and SuperSport.
  • Advised DAZN on its long-term ground-breaking deal with the NFL for the operation of its Game Pass International OTT service.
  • Advised Vodafone on its major sports sponsorships, including its multi-year partnerships with Wimbledon, Emma Raducanu and WRU.

Lawyers

Leading individuals

Ross Sylvester

Ross Sylvester

Wiggin LLP

Ross is a partner in the content distribution and transmission group and head of the firm’s sport group. He acts for a number of leading broadcasters, distribution platforms and blue chip media businesses; providing advice in relation to the distribution of channels and programming via traditional broadcast means such as satellite, cable and DTT and the exploitation of content across more nascent internet and mobile platforms. Ross has also developed a particular specialism in relation to the creation, acquisition and exploitation of sports media and data rights. In addition, he advises on the end-to-end chain of transmission, negotiating arrangements with the technical service providers who provide the processes, infrastructure and delivery systems for the distribution of channels and content as well as with the sales houses and media agencies who sell the advertising around this content.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ross Sylvester

Other key lawyers

Sarah Macdonald, Sarah Drake, Sean James