John Cloke
UK Guide 2025
Band 4 : Sport
Band 4
About
Provided by John Cloke
Practice Areas
John is a partner in the commercial media team with over 15 years’ experience, with a particular focus on transactions involving the exploitation of media and other commercial rights in sport. His clients include major sports competitions and governing bodies, sponsors and multinational media companies.
His practice includes advising clients on the sale and acquisition of broadcasting rights, content distribution and media technology issues. He also advises clients on sponsorship, broadcast regulation, new media strategy, and IP-related issues including copyright.
Prior to joining CMS in September 2022, John spent 17 years at DLA Piper.
Work Highlights
The Football Association Premier League Limited on its domestic and international rights sales strategy.
A major motor racing competition on licensing of international broadcasting rights.
A leading sports league on its intellectual property rights in competition-related data.
Prior to joining CMS, John advised:
A global media company on various investments and acquisitions and UK media regulation (including the impact of Brexit).
A major consumer goods company on its sponsorship of football clubs and sports/e-sports competitions and a technical partnership with a motor racing team.
An international governing body for a major sport on the collective selling of media rights and rights packaging.
A major European broadcaster on the acquisition of media rights to a global multi-sports event.
A large telco on a bid for broadcasting rights to its local domestic football league.
Education
Oxford University, Keble College
Law, B.A.(Hons)
2001
Chambers Review
UK
John Cloke places a strong focus on digital content distribution as part of a broad commercial and regulatory sports practice. He regularly assists clients in the football and motorsports industries.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"He is an exceptional all-rounder. He has proven himself year in, year out as the right person to work with. He is good in any environment."
"John Cloke is extremely knowledgeable, almost an extension of our internal team, and can always be on the end of the phone as a highly trusted adviser."
"He is an exceptional all-rounder. He has proven himself year in, year out as the right person to work with. He is good in any environment."
"John Cloke is extremely knowledgeable, almost an extension of our internal team, and can always be on the end of the phone as a highly trusted adviser."