Clarkslegal’s sports and media sector law team consists of lawyers from all areas of the firm. The team advises on a wide variety of sports and media issues, but also provides the full compliment of legal services to clients in the sports and media industries. The team of solicitors is represented in all of Clarkslegal’s current offices in London, Reading and Wales.

Sports

The sports industry includes governing bodies to traditional rights holders, such as clubs, players and agents, along with an increasing number of commercial associates, such as sponsors, developers and business partners.

Clarkslegal’s sports and media practice can advise on a number of industry-specific issues, including sponsorship, branding, merchandising, agency, distribution, endorsement, licensing, sales promotion and marketing, as well as other areas such as product liability, commercial property development and reputation management.

The firm has nurtured and developed expertise in this field over a number of years and has advised companies, including the likes of Llanera SL on their sponsorship of Premiership football and rugby teams, as well as on endorsements by other leading sports personalities. The team also acts for sports equipment and clothing manufacturers, such as Mizuno, as well as developers, sports clubs and teams and leisure centres.

Media

Clarkslegal has expertise in both the old media and new media sectors.

Similar to the sports industry, a key feature of the media industry is rights and the ownership of commercial rights, and the team specialises on advising on these rights. Our sports and media lawyers regularly provide input on broadcasting, programme commissioning, licensing, production and co-production, distribution and licensing issues. We have worked for record labels, national newspapers (particularly in relation to employment status matters), PR companies (including a recent corporate acquisition) and individual celebrities in relation to private client matters.

Clarkslegal has offices in Reading, London, Cardiff and Swansea.