Sports Law
Asia-Pacific Guide 2024 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 2 9230 4000About
Provided by Allens
Allens' sports law practice is one of the most multi-faceted and developed in the region, offering depth of experience in the law as it applies to the sports industry. We have a diverse and high-profile client base, acting for participants at all levels, including governing bodies, event and venue owners, marketing agents, corporate sponsors, sports foundations, promoters, equipment manufacturers, sporting teams and sports personalities.
- Racing Australia – RIS merger with the Australian Racing Board;
- Australian Olympic Committee – brand protection and ambush marketing advice for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
- FOX Sports – acquisition of subscription television, digital and mobile rights for the 2018 to 2022 National Rugby League seasons, the second largest sports rights deal in Australian history;
- FOX Sports – acquisition of five-year broadcast rights from SANZAAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina Rugby) – the body which operates Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship competitions in Rugby Union; and
- Commonwealth Games Federation – Australian and worldwide sale of television and digital rights to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Allens also has extensive involvement in doping prosecutions, disciplinary proceedings and selection disputes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Chambers Review
Allens offers a comprehensive, top-flight service to sports organisations and corporate clients. Its leading commercial and IP practice provides licensing, brand protection and ambush marketing advice for clients competing in and hosting major sporting competitions, and the firm offers complementary expertise in broadcasting and media rights. It also advises on anti-doping and other disciplinary issues and has a longstanding involvement with key international and Australian sports bodies, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Allens' clients include event and venue owners, marketing agents, promoters and equipment manufacturers as well as teams and personalities, notable names including the Australian Olympic Committee, News Corp and Tennis Australia.
Miriam Stiel and Gavin Smith are key contacts.
Work Highlights
- Allens advised Foxtel on its broadcasting rights agreement with the AFL for the 2025-2031 seasons.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Allens are excellent; they are effectively devoted to providing excellent service. They are very impressive at training young lawyers. I get partner-level access and 24/7 service."
"They listen to what we ask, they know how the sports world works and they know the pressures we are under. They have an understanding of what our stakeholders are going through."
"Allens are excellent; they are effectively devoted to providing excellent service. They are very impressive at training young lawyers. I get partner-level access and 24/7 service."
"They listen to what we ask, they know how the sports world works and they know the pressures we are under. They have an understanding of what our stakeholders are going through."