1. Sectors

Sports, Media & Entertainment

Unrivalled legal expertise. Trusted by the world’s biggest names. This is sports, media, and entertainment in focus.

The world of sports, media, and entertainment has become a global, high-stakes business. As the complexity of these, increasingly intertwined industries, continues to grow, so too does the need for sophisticated legal partners who have significant experience with, and a deep knowledge of, the legal issues they face, the business issues that matter to them and the industries in which they operate.

That’s where we come in. We are one of only three law firms worldwide honored by Chambers & Partners for having a top-tier sports practice in both the United States and the United Kingdom, and we’re recognized internationally for our expertise in media and entertainment law.

From representations of 31 NHL teams, over 20 Premier League, La Liga, Championship and other international football (soccer) clubs across seven countries and teams and owners in each of Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and Major League Soccer, some of the largest naming rights and sponsorship deals in history, counseling over 20 U.S. National Governing Bodies, landmark broadcasting agreements with networks including FOX Sports, NBC, CBS, ABC and ESPN, to high stakes litigation for the National Collegiate Athletic Association and other sports clients, we deliver results that shape the industry. Our global team of over 100 specialists operates seamlessly across borders, providing strategic counsel that empowers our clients to thrive. Clients benefit from direct, partner-led engagement, which means they receive the highest caliber of legal advice.

Whether it’s sports financing in the UK, high-profile naming rights in the US, or international regulatory work with key organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency, we offer elite legal solutions that drive success. Clients rely on us because we don’t just understand the law; we understand the business of sports, media, and entertainment at its highest levels.

Naming rights representations with an aggregate value of over $5.25 billion

Represented over 20 Premier League, La Liga, Championship and international soccer clubs

Recent developments

BCLP Recognized in Chambers USA 2026
BCLP Recognized in Chambers USA 2026

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BCLP advises EEP on investment in Venezia Football Club
BCLP advises EEP on investment in Venezia Football Club

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BCLP advises Winvia Entertainment on its £200 million London IPO
BCLP advises Winvia Entertainment on its £200 million London IPO

Read more Read more

Recent developments

Awards
BCLP Recognized in Chambers USA 2026
News
BCLP advises EEP on investment in Venezia Football Club
News
BCLP advises Winvia Entertainment on its £200 million London IPO
News
The Legal 500 UK 2026
News
BCLP advises Canal+ on acquisition of South African media company MultiChoice
News
BCLP successfully represents Nottingham Forest Football Club in FA case
News
BCLP Sports/Real Estate team advises on $3B Georgia arena and entertainment district
News
The Legal 500 UK 2025 guide ranks BCLP in 52 practice areas and recognizes 69 lawyers as “leading individuals”
News
BCLP Brings Unique Combination of Legal and Sports Sector Knowledge to a Major Premier League Deal

Related capabilities

Collegiate SportsContract, Endorsement & Celebrity RepresentationEntertainment IndustryNaming Rights & SponsorshipOlympic & National Governing BodiesProfessional Sports Team RepresentationSports & Entertainment M&ASports & Event FinancingSports & Event Venue Real Estate Infrastructure & OperationSports (Class Actions)Sports, Media & Entertainment Litigation

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View the latest brochure from BCLP's Sports, Media & Entertainment group.

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Discover our latest insights

Insights
Dec 03, 2025

AI in Sports Sponsorship and Fan Engagement: Opportunities and Challenges

In our previous article, we explored how AI is reshaping contractual negotiations with athletes, bringing advanced data analytics and predictive modelling into a process once driven largely by statistics and instinct. AI is now having an equally profound impact on the commercial side of sport, transforming how sponsorship deals are valued, structured and activated, and redefining how fans can connect with their favourite teams, athletes and brands. This article explores how AI is allowing rights holders and sponsors to deploy innovative solutions to engage with their audiences, and how innovation in this space also raises new commercial and legal questions around data privacy, image rights and the accuracy of AI-generated insights.
Insights
Aug 04, 2025

The Football Governance Act – What You Need to Know

The Football Governance Act was passed into law on 21 July 2025. This follows a long period of debate amongst legislators, regulators, clubs, fans and other market stakeholders about the future of English football, in particular in relation to financial sustainability, corporate governance and transparency. The Act reflects an admirable legislative attempt to give effect to those principles, but the extent to which they can operate together in practice remains to be seen. The dispute resolution mechanisms available under the Act also raise interesting questions about the limits of the Independent Football Regulator’s powers, as well as the interplay between its decision-making functions and the courts’ oversight of the public law and antitrust issues arising from the Act’s new regulatory regime.
Insights
Mar 06, 2025

Getting the ball rolling: sports disputes resolution in Hong Kong SAR

These are exciting times for sports in Hong Kong. With the Hong Kong team’s success at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and Summer Paralympics, the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park and the 15thNational Games (which Hong Kong is co-hosting together with Guangdong and Macao) in 2025, it is expected that interest in sports and the sports industry in Hong Kong will continue to grow. From the selection of athletes by sports clubs to the determination of the outcome of a game, anti-doping tests and sports-related commercial deals, disputes can arise at many stages along the sports industry chain. Some observers and commentators have suggested that Hong Kong would be assisted by having a comprehensive dispute resolution system to resolve the sports-related disputes which unavoidably arise from the growing sports industry.
Insights
Oct 21, 2024

Lassana Diarra foils FIFA’s transfer rules

It is pretty rare for judgments of the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) regarding the freedom of movement for workers and competition rules to grab news headlines. However, the ECJ’s ruling in C-650/22 (“Diarra”) has certainly kick-started global debate on the restrictions inherent in football’s transfer system, and whether they are compliant with wider legal requirements. The ECJ on 4 October 2024 clarified that certain of FIFA’s transfer rules which (in effect) disincentivised unilateral termination of a player’s contract (by club or player) without “just cause” are incompatible with Article 45 and 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), that is, the rules on the freedom of movement for workers and the prohibition on anti-competitive no-poach agreements within the EU. Subject to the Belgian Court of Appeal ruling that these rules are capable of objective justification (which is unlikely in light of the ECJ’s judgment), these rules are void in law across the EU. The effects of the Diarra judgment could be profound, seemingly opening the door for players to unilaterally terminate their contracts and sign for competing clubs. However, the ECJ does hold open the prospect for clubs to receive protection from traditional mechanisms of contract law, for instance the right to receive compensation in the event of breach of contract by one of its players. The case also serves as a reminder that the competition aspects of labour markets, and in particular no-poach agreements, are increasingly on the radar of courts and competition authorities around the world (particularly in the UK and the US), and may encourage those authorities yet to kick off investigations to do so. See our recent assessment of the application of competition law to no-poach agreements. 
Insights
Sep 03, 2024

AI Surveillance and Data Privacy at the Games

As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (the “Games”) turn onto the final straight, the Games have yet again captured widespread global attention, on and off the track. With over 15.3 million visitors in Paris this summer for the Games, data security has emerged as a critical concern. To enhance the safety of athletes, spectators and residents, the French government implemented specific measures, including a bill relating to the Games (the “OG law”), a legislative measure passed on 19 May 2023, to bolster security during the Games[1]. The “OG law” introduces advanced security measures, notably the use of experimental algorithmic video surveillance systems. This article focuses on the deployment of these augmented surveillance systems during the Games and examines the associated GDPR compliance and privacy dilemmas that subsequently arise. 
Insights
Aug 07, 2024

AI and the Games - embracing a new age for sports

The Games have kicked off in true Parisian style and is promising to be a groundbreaking spectacle, not just for the inspirational athletic feats we are certain to see but also for the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that will feature more prominently than ever before. These advancements are set to play a transformative role in the Games, enhancing athletes preparation for, and experience in, the Games as well as for spectators and viewers worldwide. We have taken a closer look at some of the use cases of AI in the Games.

View all our insightsIcon: arrow

Discover our latest insights

Insights
Dec 03, 2025
AI in Sports Sponsorship and Fan Engagement: Opportunities and Challenges
In our previous article, we explored how AI is reshaping contractual negotiations with athletes, bringing advanced data analytics and predictive modelling into a process once driven largely by statistics and instinct. AI is now having an equally profound impact on the commercial side of sport, transforming how sponsorship deals are valued, structured and activated, and redefining how fans can connect with their favourite teams, athletes and brands. This article explores how AI is allowing rights holders and sponsors to deploy innovative solutions to engage with their audiences, and how innovation in this space also raises new commercial and legal questions around data privacy, image rights and the accuracy of AI-generated insights.
Insights
Nov 19, 2025
The CMA's new consumer protection enforcement powers deployed: what does this mean for businesses?
Insights
Nov 17, 2025
From Moneyball to Machine Learning: Data Analytics and AI in Sports Contracts
Insights
Aug 04, 2025
The Football Governance Act – What You Need to Know
The Football Governance Act was passed into law on 21 July 2025. This follows a long period of debate amongst legislators, regulators, clubs, fans and other market stakeholders about the future of English football, in particular in relation to financial sustainability, corporate governance and transparency. The Act reflects an admirable legislative attempt to give effect to those principles, but the extent to which they can operate together in practice remains to be seen. The dispute resolution mechanisms available under the Act also raise interesting questions about the limits of the Independent Football Regulator’s powers, as well as the interplay between its decision-making functions and the courts’ oversight of the public law and antitrust issues arising from the Act’s new regulatory regime.
Insights
Mar 06, 2025
Getting the ball rolling: sports disputes resolution in Hong Kong SAR
These are exciting times for sports in Hong Kong. With the Hong Kong team’s success at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and Summer Paralympics, the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park and the 15thNational Games (which Hong Kong is co-hosting together with Guangdong and Macao) in 2025, it is expected that interest in sports and the sports industry in Hong Kong will continue to grow. From the selection of athletes by sports clubs to the determination of the outcome of a game, anti-doping tests and sports-related commercial deals, disputes can arise at many stages along the sports industry chain. Some observers and commentators have suggested that Hong Kong would be assisted by having a comprehensive dispute resolution system to resolve the sports-related disputes which unavoidably arise from the growing sports industry.
Insights
Jan 17, 2025
OCR Confirms Title IX Applies to Institutions’ Direct NIL and Revenue-Sharing
Insights
Oct 21, 2024
Lassana Diarra foils FIFA’s transfer rules
It is pretty rare for judgments of the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) regarding the freedom of movement for workers and competition rules to grab news headlines. However, the ECJ’s ruling in C-650/22 (“Diarra”) has certainly kick-started global debate on the restrictions inherent in football’s transfer system, and whether they are compliant with wider legal requirements. The ECJ on 4 October 2024 clarified that certain of FIFA’s transfer rules which (in effect) disincentivised unilateral termination of a player’s contract (by club or player) without “just cause” are incompatible with Article 45 and 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), that is, the rules on the freedom of movement for workers and the prohibition on anti-competitive no-poach agreements within the EU. Subject to the Belgian Court of Appeal ruling that these rules are capable of objective justification (which is unlikely in light of the ECJ’s judgment), these rules are void in law across the EU. The effects of the Diarra judgment could be profound, seemingly opening the door for players to unilaterally terminate their contracts and sign for competing clubs. However, the ECJ does hold open the prospect for clubs to receive protection from traditional mechanisms of contract law, for instance the right to receive compensation in the event of breach of contract by one of its players. The case also serves as a reminder that the competition aspects of labour markets, and in particular no-poach agreements, are increasingly on the radar of courts and competition authorities around the world (particularly in the UK and the US), and may encourage those authorities yet to kick off investigations to do so. See our recent assessment of the application of competition law to no-poach agreements. 
Insights
Sep 03, 2024
AI Surveillance and Data Privacy at the Games
As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games (the “Games”) turn onto the final straight, the Games have yet again captured widespread global attention, on and off the track. With over 15.3 million visitors in Paris this summer for the Games, data security has emerged as a critical concern. To enhance the safety of athletes, spectators and residents, the French government implemented specific measures, including a bill relating to the Games (the “OG law”), a legislative measure passed on 19 May 2023, to bolster security during the Games[1]. The “OG law” introduces advanced security measures, notably the use of experimental algorithmic video surveillance systems. This article focuses on the deployment of these augmented surveillance systems during the Games and examines the associated GDPR compliance and privacy dilemmas that subsequently arise. 
Insights
Aug 07, 2024
AI and the Games - embracing a new age for sports
The Games have kicked off in true Parisian style and is promising to be a groundbreaking spectacle, not just for the inspirational athletic feats we are certain to see but also for the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that will feature more prominently than ever before. These advancements are set to play a transformative role in the Games, enhancing athletes preparation for, and experience in, the Games as well as for spectators and viewers worldwide. We have taken a closer look at some of the use cases of AI in the Games.

Teams, leagues, corporations and governing bodies worldwide trust our deep industry experience and strategic approach to help them navigate their most complex legal issues.

Our clients include:

  • Over 31 NHL hockey clubs, more than 20 clubs from the Premier League, La Liga, the Championship, and other international football (soccer) clubs across seven countries and teams and/or owners in Major League Baseball, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and Major League Soccer
  • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and several collegiate sports conferences and universities
  • The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Olympic Delivery Authority and more than 20 Olympic National Governing Bodies and International Federations
  • British Telecom, CNN, Turner Sports, WarnerMedia, and major entertainment studios
  • Corporate sponsors including like AirBnb, Dolby Laboratories, Enterprise Holdings, MetLife, STIFEL, Target and Visa
  • High profile athletes such as Gareth Bale, Jimmy Connors, Melissa “Missy” Franklin, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Adam Wainwright and Kurt Warner
  • Various businesses on endorsement and product support agreements with athletes and celebrities such as Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho, Jimmy Connors, Melissa “Missy” Franklin, Jimmie Johnson, Mike Krzyzewski (“Coach K”), NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Nick Saban, Deion Sanders, Kurt Warner, Sandra Bullock, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Bridget Moynahan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Simpson and Mr. T.
Clients rank us among the top sports and entertainment law firms

We are committed to delivering exceptional service and results. Chambers & Partners praised our sports practice for offering the "best possible client service," and hundreds of clients from across the globe rely on us to grow their businesses, protect their interests and compete at the highest levels.

This commitment has led to industry-leading recognition, including:

  • One of only three firms globally recognized by Chambers & Partners for top-tier sports practices in both the U.S. and UK
  • Named "Power Players" in sports law by Sports Business Journal
  • Legal 500’s top-ranked firm for sports in multiple jurisdictions
  • Featured in The POWER List: Sports and Entertainment Law
  • Named to the National Law Journal’s “Sports and Entertainment Law Trailblazers List”
  • Featured in Chambers & Partners as “Leader in Field” for Sports Law

These rankings aren’t just titles. They reflect the trust that the industry’s most influential organizations place in us to deliver results.

Our top sports, media and entertainment lawyers have the depth of experience needed to successfully represent clients across all aspects of the sports and entertainment industry. For decades, we’ve been at the forefront of the industry’s most high-profile legal matters, including:

  • Negotiated naming rights deals with aggregate values over $5.25 billion
  • Acted as the principal draftsman of the World Anti-Doping Code and its amendments and continue to shape anti-doping policies worldwide
  • Represented the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in landmark cases against Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis
  • Served as National Coordinating Counsel and trial counsel for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for their nationwide portfolio of sports-related claims
  • Advised on over U.S. $1 billion of financing deals in international football (soccer) in each of the past two years
  • Advised on over 130 projects for the Olympic Delivery Authority, engaging 400+ BCLP lawyers
  • Handled some of the largest sponsorship and naming rights transactions in the industry
  • Negotiated major broadcast and digital media rights deals, including with global networks like FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN, and major streaming platforms
  • Represented major global brands in high-profile endorsement deals with top athletes and celebrities, including Patrick Mahomes, Lady Gaga and Serena Williams

Our impact on the industry is undeniable. When results matter, we deliver.

Teams, leagues, corporations and governing bodies worldwide trust our deep industry experience and strategic approach to help them navigate their most complex legal issues.

Our clients include:

  • Over 31 NHL hockey clubs, more than 20 clubs from the Premier League, La Liga, the Championship, and other international football (soccer) clubs across seven countries and teams and/or owners in Major League Baseball, the NBA, NFL, NHL, and Major League Soccer
  • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and several collegiate sports conferences and universities
  • The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Olympic Delivery Authority and more than 20 Olympic National Governing Bodies and International Federations
  • British Telecom, CNN, Turner Sports, WarnerMedia, and major entertainment studios
  • Corporate sponsors including like AirBnb, Dolby Laboratories, Enterprise Holdings, MetLife, STIFEL, Target and Visa
  • High profile athletes such as Gareth Bale, Jimmy Connors, Melissa “Missy” Franklin, Jackie Joyner Kersee, Adam Wainwright and Kurt Warner
  • Various businesses on endorsement and product support agreements with athletes and celebrities such as Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho, Jimmy Connors, Melissa “Missy” Franklin, Jimmie Johnson, Mike Krzyzewski (“Coach K”), NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, Nick Saban, Deion Sanders, Kurt Warner, Sandra Bullock, Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez, Bridget Moynahan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Simpson and Mr. T.

Clients rank us among the top sports and entertainment law firms

We are committed to delivering exceptional service and results. Chambers & Partners praised our sports practice for offering the "best possible client service," and hundreds of clients from across the globe rely on us to grow their businesses, protect their interests and compete at the highest levels.

This commitment has led to industry-leading recognition, including:

  • One of only three firms globally recognized by Chambers & Partners for top-tier sports practices in both the U.S. and UK
  • Named "Power Players" in sports law by Sports Business Journal
  • Legal 500’s top-ranked firm for sports in multiple jurisdictions
  • Featured in The POWER List: Sports and Entertainment Law
  • Named to the National Law Journal’s “Sports and Entertainment Law Trailblazers List”
  • Featured in Chambers & Partners as “Leader in Field” for Sports Law

These rankings aren’t just titles. They reflect the trust that the industry’s most influential organizations place in us to deliver results.

Our top sports, media and entertainment lawyers have the depth of experience needed to successfully represent clients across all aspects of the sports and entertainment industry. For decades, we’ve been at the forefront of the industry’s most high-profile legal matters, including:

  • Negotiated naming rights deals with aggregate values over $5.25 billion
  • Acted as the principal draftsman of the World Anti-Doping Code and its amendments and continue to shape anti-doping policies worldwide
  • Represented the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in landmark cases against Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis
  • Served as National Coordinating Counsel and trial counsel for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for their nationwide portfolio of sports-related claims
  • Advised on over U.S. $1 billion of financing deals in international football (soccer) in each of the past two years
  • Advised on over 130 projects for the Olympic Delivery Authority, engaging 400+ BCLP lawyers
  • Handled some of the largest sponsorship and naming rights transactions in the industry
  • Negotiated major broadcast and digital media rights deals, including with global networks like FOX, NBC, CBS, ESPN, and major streaming platforms
  • Represented major global brands in high-profile endorsement deals with top athletes and celebrities, including Patrick Mahomes, Lady Gaga and Serena Williams

Our impact on the industry is undeniable. When results matter, we deliver.

"The firm has really good depth and resourcing. It is able to tackle any kind of nuanced role a case requires."

Chambers USA, 2025

"The firm has really good depth and resourcing. It is able to tackle any kind of nuanced role a case requires."

Chambers USA, 2025

“Their capabilities are extraordinary across all disciplines, specifically on those matters that have a complexity and include international matters.”

Chambers UK, 2025

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Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis
+1 314 259 2818

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Graham Shear
Graham Shear
+44 (0) 20 3400 1000

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Ryan Davis
Ryan Davis
+1 314 259 2818

View Profile View Profile

Graham Shear
Graham Shear
+44 (0) 20 3400 1000

View Profile View Profile

View All Related Professionals View All Related Professionals