Sports law is a multi-disciplinary area of practice covering areas such as contracts, litigation, employment law and intellectual property rights.
Additionally, liability for injuries, contract negotiations, and the governance of sports associations are integral components of this distinct area of expertise. The evolving nature of sports law reflects the complex interplay between legal principles and the unique considerations of the sports industry, fostering fair competition and protecting the rights of athletes and organisations.
Experience
Flynn O’Driscoll has a wealth of experience in identifying and solving legal challenges across the sports industry, with a particular focus on sports clubs, societies and sporting individuals in the organisation of their activities, as well as in matters of litigation.
We provide specialist legal advice to sports associations, clubs (including League of Ireland and senior GAA), professional and amateur athletes across a variety of sports including soccer, GAA games, rugby, horse racing, cricket and golf.
Some of the key areas we advise on include:
- Finance & Investment in Sports
- Property Development and Stadium Management
- Employment
- Commercial Contracts
- Governance Drafting and Advices
- Protecting Intellectual Property and Image Rights
- Privacy and Data Protection Requirements
- Sponsorship agreements
- Broadcasting rights
- Pre-Publication Legal Review
- Disputes and Disciplinary Matters
- Insurance Disputes
- Anti-trust and Competition Law
Recent
- Advising the United Rugby Championship (URC) on a variety of commercial, compliance, employment and corporate law matters pertaining to the operation of one of rugby union's most successful league competitions.
- Advising Shamrock Rovers on international player transfers, annual compliance, investment matters, sponsorship agreements, academy development and disciplinary matters.
- Acting for the FAI in relation to contracts and trusts. Also, in relation to the operation and wind down of a charity trust foundation.
- Advising high-profile national sporting bodies on sponsorship agreements and broadcasting rights agreements.
- Advising clients on stadium naming rights and sponsorship, compliance with advertising standards and laws.
- Advising a sports science company working with some of the largest sport franchises in the world (Premiership, NFL, NBA etc.).
- Advising various Irish sporting bodies on company structure and governance issues.
- Advising various companies who produce injury prevention and performance analysis equipment and software.
