Department profile
Charles Russell Speechlys

Sport

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Share profile

Charles Russell Speechlys

Rankings

About

Provided by Charles Russell Speechlys

The sport industry has been forced to tackle seismic disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the shutdown of sporting venues causing considerable damage to revenue streams.


Finance in sport was already changing rapidly pre-coronavirus. This will continue to evolve with an increased focus on private equity investments shifting the way clubs and events are managed. Those organisations flexible enough to adapt to the evolving market will be in the best position to succeed.


We will support you offering a team of lawyers with critical experience working within sports organisations. We understand how the sports sector functions; our team has supported clients across sport for over 100 years, from clubs, athletes and international regulators, to innovative disrupters in sports media and technology.

Sports Technology:
We combine the strength of our sport and technology teams to offer sports organisations, technology businesses and investors a range of market-leading legal services tailored to the emerging SportsTech industry.

Integrity & Regulation:
Our team has extensive experience advising a range of stakeholders across all areas of integrity.

Players & Athletes:
We have supported some of the highest profile players and athletes in the world. We are able to provide you the added benefit of our private client expertise, and can offer you leading legal support across philanthropy and personal planning.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sport - UK-wide

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Charles Russell Speechlys acts for a broad spectrum of governing bodies, clubs and sportspeople on major commercial and regulatory mandates, particularly in horse racing, tennis and football. The team demonstrates significant expertise in rights acquisitions and licensing arrangements, as well as activity in brand protection and sports marketing. It possesses considerable knowledge of technological advances and betting issues in the sports sector.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Charles Russell Speechlys advised Sage, a global technology provider in business and accounting software, on sponsorship deals for Six Nations Rugby, Major League Baseball and The Hundred.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We enjoy working with Charles Russell Speechlys because of their pragmatic and direct approach. They provide direct and succinct answers to questions, without sitting on the fence.

    Sport respondentUK

  • CRS are approachable, flexible, experienced and extremely well connected. They can adapt to tight timelines and client demands, which are often features of football transactions.

    Sport respondentUK

  • They have been well established in the market for a long time and are particularly good for big sports arbitrations and disciplinary matters.

    Sport respondentUK

  • CRS are a go-to team, especially for data and IT, and commercial contracts, which all require broad knowledge. It helps they have broad range of practitioners.

    Sport respondentUK

  • They find solutions. Their differentiated relationship skill sets are exceptional and they are a pleasure to work with. They go beyond their scope of work, and their standards of work are very high.

    Sport respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Nicholas Couchman
    Nicholas Couchman

    Nicholas Couchman

    Nicholas Couchman advises on commercial rights for all stakeholders in the sports industry, including governing bodies, tournament organisers and sponsors. He is recognised by market commentators for his longstanding experience in the sector.

    View profile
  • Jason Saiban
    Jason Saiban

    Jason Saiban

    Jason Saiban provides assistance to major sporting clients in relation to sponsorship and media arrangements. His clients include leading sporting goods manufacturers and sporting bodies.

    • Jason doesn't hesitate to get involved and is exceptional at detail. He's solution-focused and he's unafraid to go outside the box to get a pragmatic solution.

      Sport respondentUK

    • He has great client awareness and he really understands the sector and the requirements incumbent on our in-house team.

      Sport respondentUK
    View profile
  • Keir Gordon
    Keir Gordon

    Keir Gordon

    Keir Gordon is a corporate finance specialist with a long and impressive record in the acquisition, investment and sale of football clubs. He has also advised investors in cricket franchises and sports data aggregators.

    • Keir is my go-to for any sports transactions.

      Sport respondentUK

    • An assured, personable corporate adviser with good track record in sport.

      Sport respondentUK

    • He's excellent and I do like the way he leads his team, letting associates shine as well.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Keir is an exceptional corporate partner, a man of knowledge and experience in the sports sector. He's a man of sage advice, with a calm approach to transactions.

      Sport respondentUK
    View profile
  • Richard Davies
    Richard Davies

    Richard Davies

    Richard Davies specialises in commercial contracts, media and sponsorship. Possessing significant experience in this sector, he has advised a number of huge brands on their sponsorship and media rights, and high-profile athletes on their endorsement deals.

    • The advice provided was pragmatic and demonstrated excellent knowledge of the industry.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Richard provided an excellent level of service, meeting all agreed timeframes and always being available and approachable.

      Sport respondentUK
    View profile
  • Danielle Sharkey
    Danielle Sharkey

    Danielle Sharkey

    Danielle Sharkey is a senior associate in Charles Russell Speechlys' London sports team. She frequently advises sports organisations on commercial contracts, anti-doping and regulatory concerns.

    • Danielle was able stay on top of the massive amount of detail.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Danielle is incredibly knowledgeable of the sporting industry and understands clients' needs. Her projects are delivered on time, and her advice is given in a very practical and workable format.

      Sport respondentUK
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Charles Russell Speechlys (5)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Charles Russell Speechlys

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership