Sports law is not a single discipline; it encompasses a number of legal areas. Osborne Clarke’s multi-disciplinary team advises organisations ranging from world class events and professional bodies, to individual competitors on issues as diverse as sponsorship and media contracts, intellectual property, employment and dispute resolution.

Our commercial and intellectual property lawyers offer solid skills in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts. Our expertise includes rights acquisition and exploitation, brand protection and licensing, broadcasting, sponsorship, agency, merchandising, event management, tournament and venue agreements.

We are also recognised for our extensive experience regarding sports constitutions and regulations. This includes rewriting the PGA's constitution and rules, covering the restructure of membership categories and advising on member disciplinary matters, including sanctions and appeals.

Our tax lawyers regularly advise both sports corporations and individuals on tax planning issues, whilst our corporate teams handle company structures, acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures and funding.

According to Chambers & Partners 2005 we have "a bright and commercial team," it has established a respected niche in sports law”. Andrew Braithwaite (the team’s leader), who is quoted as earning “the respect of peers and clients for his broad knowledge base”, has over 20 years' experience of advising sports clients and has acted as general counsel to the PGA for over 10 years. Team colleague, Nick Johnson, is a well-known sponsorship lawyer and a Board member of the European sponsorship group, ESCA.

“The well-respected group… also well regarded for its disciplinary expertise.”Chambers & Partners 2003-04

• advising PGA on restructuring of its Ryder Cup partnership with PGA European Tour into an LLP, including tax issues
• handling contract negotiations, drafting venue and infrastructure agreements with the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Office for 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales and 2014 in Scotland
• acting for Lloyds TSB Bank plc on a 5 year sponsorship agreement with Welsh Rugby Union

Andrew Braithwaite
t +44 (0)117 917 4178
andrew.braithwaite@osborneclarke.com