Sport
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7406 6014About
Provided by Mishcon de Reya LLP
Our multi-disciplinary Sports Group comprises a dedicated team of contentious and non-contentious lawyers who are passionate about sport. The Group is supported by experts across the firm who have significant sports experience in areas such as immigration, employment, brand protection, reputation management, construction and tax. The team is international in make-up and outlook – we act for clients from around the world and are fluent in a number of foreign languages.
The sports work we do is varied. We advise in core areas, such as sports arbitration, disciplinary cases, governance and compliance, regulation, sports integrity and football transfers, as well as commercial matters affecting sporting individuals, companies and governing bodies. We act in a wide range of sports, including – but not limited to - athletics, boxing, cricket, cycling, darts, football, horseracing, motorsport, rugby, sailing, snooker and tennis.
Many of our clients are high profile sportspeople, managers, agents, owners, clubs and governing bodies. We work closely with our clients and take on the role of a trusted advisor.
Services
- Child safeguarding and welfare
- Commercial arrangements and sponsorship
- Competition law
- Corporate transactions
- Employment
- Governance and compliance
- Immigration
- IP and brand protection
- Negligence and sports injuries
- Reputation protection
- Sports integrity – anti-doping and match-fixing
- Sports litigation
Chambers Review
Mishcon de Reya houses a specialist sports team that handles an impressive portfolio of work that includes commercial, disciplinary and regulatory matters across a wide range of sports. The team advises football clubs on contentious matters as well as transactional work, including major player transfers. Also known for its involvement with sports organisations and charities, as well as its expertise in e-sports and gaming.
Work Highlights
- Mishcon de Reya advised IndusInd Bank on a major sponsorship deal opposite the International Cricket Council (ICC) whereby the client became one of the main sponsors of international cricket, including of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mishcon de Reya grasped the nuances of our situation. Client service and budgeting is an area where they truly stand out for me. For a high-end brand, they really have a personal touch."
"They were proactive in foreseeing future problems that could be solved in the agreement. They always give strong commercial advice."
"Mishcon de Reya has excellent lawyers who are able to handle complex and sophisticated matters with ease. They are always responsive, helpful and pleasant to work with."
"Mischon de Reya clearly only hire the best lawyers in their field and I have always been impressed with the support and mentoring that younger solicitors receive from their senior partners."
"Mishcon's support has consistently exhibited an exemplary level of proficiency in contractual negotiations, and attention to detail in drafting and their approach to navigating regulatory frameworks."
"Mishcon de Reya grasped the nuances of our situation. Client service and budgeting is an area where they truly stand out for me. For a high-end brand, they really have a personal touch."
"They were proactive in foreseeing future problems that could be solved in the agreement. They always give strong commercial advice."
"Mishcon de Reya has excellent lawyers who are able to handle complex and sophisticated matters with ease. They are always responsive, helpful and pleasant to work with."
"Mischon de Reya clearly only hire the best lawyers in their field and I have always been impressed with the support and mentoring that younger solicitors receive from their senior partners."
"Mishcon's support has consistently exhibited an exemplary level of proficiency in contractual negotiations, and attention to detail in drafting and their approach to navigating regulatory frameworks."
Notable Practitioners
Simon Leaf is head of the sports team at Mishcon de Reya. He advises individual sportspeople, clubs and sponsor organisations on a broad range of commercial sports matters.
"Simon is an excellent service provider. He is always responsive, commercial and adds value to any transaction."
"Simon is incredibly responsive, articulate, humble and commercially astute."
"Simon is an outstanding legal mind and savvy about the commercial realities of the sports business. He combines expert knowledge with sensitivity and discretion."
"He is a trusted and assuring leader."
"Simon is a strong commander in chief of his team and brings a confident presence to any meeting. He clearly values and encourages innovation and creativity in his department."
Tom Murray is an associate in the Mishcon de Reya sports team. He acts for a range of clients including athletes, agents and clubs. He is noted by peers for his expertise in e-sports.
"Tom Murray's level of service, understanding of the issues and environment, and commercial acumen are first class."
"Tom is an absolute joy to work with. He understands our industry very well and his advice is always practical, succinct and accurate."
"Tom is a fantastic, highly capable and likeable member of the team. He is always available, polite and thorough. He is very important to the success of this client relationship."
"I have been extremely impressed by his innovative and cutting-edge outlook."
"Tom has particular insight and expertise in the growing area of e-sports."