Our discreet, commercially shrewd Sports Law team at SO Legal has unique and first-hand experience of the sporting world. Our outgoing, enthusiastic lawyers are used to working with numerous sporting disciplines at both grassroots and elite level. The team has in depth of knowledge of playing for and managing sports clubs and the pressures and complexities of leading sports organisations.
Our Sports Law team advises professional sports people, clubs and regulatory associations on a wide range of matters. We offer a multi-disciplinary approach to assisting in the area of Sports Law. We have been involved in advising sports people on business agreements, contracts of employment and performance, property matters, litigation, franchise agreements, financial transactions and business advice and commercial matters relating to their personal investments and interests outside of the game.
Over many years, our Sports Law team has gained direct experience of the daily as well as strategic challenges and pressures that individual sports men, women and organisations face.
Our responsive and empathetic lawyers are fully aware of the fast-paced and ever changing environment in which our clients are required to function. Whether your sporting career is in its infancy, you’re a more established name in your sporting field, or are nearing retirement, our legal team is best placed to offer quick, responsive and creative legal support and advice.
The team also works with clubs and associations on commercial property matters and lease contracts with third parties, franchise agreements for concessions, sponsorship agreements and commercial contracts.
Our Sports Law team brings legal expertise to the world of sport in 5 key areas:
Contracts
- Player transfers and contracts
- General contracts
- Review of contracts
- Sponsorship agreements
- Partnership agreements
- Individual representation
Commercial
- Sponsorship contracts
- Players sponsorship agreements
- Commercial contracts
- Disciplinary matters
- Litigation and dispute resolution
Property
- Development Leases
- Personal property and residential
- Complicated property investment
- Property law, Environmental law, Construction and Planning law
IP
- Copyright Trademarks
- Licence agreements
- Franchise agreements
- Cease and desist operation
Regulatory and Governance
- GDPR
- Doping offences
- Sports regulations
- Betting offences
We also support players and staff with Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning as well as Residential Conveyancing.
Meet the Team
Hamed Ovaisi, Director and Head of Commercial Legal Services, has played sport his whole life and is a keen cyclist. He played football in his younger years for local clubs including Eastbourne Borough F.C as well as representing the Sussex Men’s XI. He focusses on the commercial aspects of transactions and business advice to sports clubs, professional sports people and associations.
Jamie Salvidge, Director and Head of Property, was a professional football player for a number of years – representing Gillingham, Hereford and Plymouth Argyle as well as scoring a hat-trick for England Amateurs. Jamie currently manages Hailsham Town FC and still dons his boots from time to time.
James Halpin in our Commercial Legal Services team is First XV Captain at Lewes Rugby Football Club, having also represented Sussex RFC at both junior and senior level.
Adele Fields – Trainee Solicitor
“We used SO Legal on a commercial purchase and have an excellent working relationship with their team. They have also been involved in grass roots futsal and have now taken the step of sponsoring the Sussex Futsal Under 13/14 squad. This is a big help to us and we could not attract our members without their ongoing support. Thank you SO Legal.”
Graham Knight, Director, Knight Accountants and Chairman Sussex Futsal