Northridge

Number of partners: 12

Number of other fee-earners: 32

Northridge is an independent law firm that focuses on the most complex and important matters in sport. Founded in 2017, it has already established itself as the firm the sports industry turns to when the stakes are highest. As Europe’s largest sports practice, the firm offers a unique combination of scale and expertise, providing the depth required to staff the largest and most demanding projects.

Litigation

The firm's team of seasoned litigators have significant experience of all dispute resolution and litigation forums. The firm continues to advise longstanding client The FA on a range of contentious matters.

Key contacts: Jonathan Ellis (020 3957 8808; [email protected]) and James Eighteen (020 3957 8818; [email protected])

Corporate

Northridge offers a unique combination of technical corporate expertise and unmatched knowledge of the sports industry. The firm's ability to structure, negotiate and execute corporate transactions is widely recognised. The firm has acted on some of the biggest European football club transactions of recent years, including the sale of Chelsea FC and on the sale of Everton FC, as well as major transactions in other sports such as acting for Yorkshire County Cricket Club on the sale of its Hundred team to the Sun Group.

Key contacts: Ian Lynam (020 3957 8809; [email protected]) and Jon Walters (020 3957 8810; [email protected])

Commercial

Northridge provides expert and practical commercial law advice on all aspects of clients’ strategic activities and business contracts. A highlight was the firm's work for Spotify on a ‘first of its kind’ sponsorship agreement with FC Barcelona.

Key contacts: Ian Lynam (020 3957 8809; [email protected]) and Jon Walters (020 3957 8810; [email protected])

Competition Law

Northridge's expertise ranges from defending regulations from competition complaints before the European Commission and national competition authorities, acting for complainants against anti-competitive conduct and advising on competition law issues in rights agreements. Northridge successfully defended Newcastle United FC before the Competition Appeal Tribunal, which rejected an application by Sports Direct for an interim injunction requiring Newcastle United Football Club to supply it with replica kit for the 2024/2025 season.

Key contact: Benoit Keane (0032 2 280 68 80; [email protected])

Finance Law

Northridge's sports finance acts for both lenders and borrowers on a wide range of financing matters, ranging from player transfer finance, ticket receivables finance, media rights financing, stadium financing and acquisition financing. Recent highlights include acting for a Premier League club in relation to the corporate structuring and financing of a transformational real estate property, for a multi-use area around stadium, residential, student accommodation and music venue, plus redevelopment of the stadium itself, a new sports ground and home for their women’s team.

Key contact: Claire Barker (020 3957 8819; [email protected])

Employment Law

Northridge's full service to employers and employees covers contentious and non-contentious work. This includes everything from recruitment, termination, grievance and disciplinary procedures to the negotiation of service agreements and contracts for directors and managers. Recent highlights include acting for The FA on several matters concerning The Equality Act 2010, both in respect of its status as an employer and association, as well as acting for major employers such as AEG, LIV Golf and Betway/SuperGroup.

Key contact: Jamie Feldman (020 3957 8813; [email protected])

Gambling Law

The firm provides expert advice on regulatory compliance to a wide variety of gambling operators, underpinned by extensive industry knowledge. A recent highlight was advising Evolution Gaming on a restructuring of its UK gambling licences.

Key contact: Melanie Ellis (020 3957 8816; [email protected])

Northridge is based in London, but the firm's experience encompasses working for clients (and on matters) throughout Europe and internationally. This includes the firm's work for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, acting for Two Circles on its acquisition of Let It Fly Media, a US-based creative agency and acting on Spotify's major sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona.

90 Bartholomew Close

London

EC1A 7BN

[email protected]

+44 (0)20 3957 8800