Sport
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7667 5000About
Provided by Harbottle & Lewis LLP
Harbottle & Lewis’ dedicated Sports team offers clients the full range of sport law services including sports marketing and sponsorship, broadcasting and event staging, reputation management, agency and media services, regulatory, team issues and eSports.
We have represented some of the biggest names across all sports, in both the domestic and international markets, and remain at the cutting edge of sports law – innovating with creative sponsorship deals, establishing and enforcing rules and regulations, negotiating rights across new channels and representing elite athletes facing new challenges and opportunities arising from changes to technology.
Our strength lies in the fact that we understand the sports industry from both a legal and a commercial perspective. This allows us to give the best possible advice to our clients who include governing bodies, sports rights owners, sponsors, teams, individual sports personalities and player associations.
Chambers Review
Harbottle & Lewis continues to handle a variety of matters across sports law, with expertise in sponsorship, media rights and reputation management work. It has particular strength in providing specialist advice on sports technology, e-sports, ticketing platforms and digital content. The team acts for high-profile individuals and clubs in a variety of sports and is valued for its advice on major sports events and long-term sponsorship contracts. Also offers regulatory expertise including rule interpretations and disciplinary advice.
Work Highlights
- Harbottle & Lewis advised on Diageo’s long-term renewal of its major title sponsorship of the men’s rugby union Six Nations, and its additional title sponsorship of the women’s Six Nations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Harbottle & Lewis are leaders in the image rights space with exceptional depth and complementary services. They offer exceptional support, delivering promptly with exceptional communication."
"They all quickly understood the issues at hand, our priorities and requirements in order to navigate the various issues and drive the negotiating forward."
"They have excellent staff with great strategic minds. We have not encountered an issue they’ve not been able to manage, and commercial vision is their greatest strength."
"It is difficult to think of another firm that would be as well placed to cover the range of our work with the relevant industry specialisation. The depth and breadth of their team is very strong."
"They always take the time to understand the various complexities in sport and work with you to find solutions. They are particularly good at exploring practical solutions as well as legal ones."
"Harbottle & Lewis are leaders in the image rights space with exceptional depth and complementary services. They offer exceptional support, delivering promptly with exceptional communication."
"They all quickly understood the issues at hand, our priorities and requirements in order to navigate the various issues and drive the negotiating forward."
"They have excellent staff with great strategic minds. We have not encountered an issue they’ve not been able to manage, and commercial vision is their greatest strength."
"It is difficult to think of another firm that would be as well placed to cover the range of our work with the relevant industry specialisation. The depth and breadth of their team is very strong."
"They always take the time to understand the various complexities in sport and work with you to find solutions. They are particularly good at exploring practical solutions as well as legal ones."
Notable Practitioners
Bob Mitchell is held in high regard for his longstanding presence as a high-end sports lawyer. He handles commercial and regulatory work for clients across all areas of sport from governing bodies to individual athletes.
"Bob is an exceptional sounding board for any matter requiring legal attention and has been a massive support to the business. Any support needed, he has it covered."
"Bob is a strong negotiator and brings clever and creative thinking to each round."
"Bob is well connected, always highly commercial and an astute lawyer."
"A trusted professional with a personal touch that makes him a key part of our team."
Michael Lister specialises in sports marketing and provides expertise in the full range of sponsorship and endorsement matters. His clients include footballers and e-sports athletes as well as their respective teams.
"Michael is diligent, thoughtful and an excellent communicator backed up by all the knowledge I need for my growing business."
"Michael has been brilliant since the start of our relationship. We hugely value his counsel and knowing he is there if we have a problem."
"I can't recommend him highly enough."
Sam Purkiss is a senior associate in the sports team at Harbottle & Lewis. He advises clients on commercial contracts and sponsorship deals, and acts for a range of prominent athletes and sporting bodies in the areas of cricket and e-sports.
"Sam is fantastic - friendly, professional and a pleasure to deal with."
"I feel very reassured by Sam's expertise and experience, and his ability to explain everything in plain English is fantastic. He is supportive, and communicates very clearly and in a timely manner."
Ranked Lawyers at
Harbottle & Lewis LLP
UK-wide