Media and entertainment: Sports in France

Clifford Chance‘s cross-practice sports group advises international, regional, and national sporting bodies, as well as investors, clubs, banks, and other stakeholders on transactional and contentious matters. Involved in some of the largest transactions, the team advised the French Rugby Federation on the long-term strategic partnership between Six Nations Rugby and CVC. On the contentious side, it represented the Ligue de Football Professionnel in commercial litigation initiated by the Groupe Canal+ due to football game rescheduling. Yves Wehrli, member of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body since 2009, heads the practice.

Mostly handling contractual negotiations for major sporting events, De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés was entrusted with drafting and negotiating the public contract for the provision of legal services for the French National Olympic and Sports organisation in relation to the winter Olympics in China in 2022. The practice also acts in trade mark infringement matters, the area of expertise of  Serge Lederman. Before joining the firm in May 2021, Jean-François Vilotte was the CEO of the French Tennis Federation for three years. Louis De Gaulle and Agnès Macaire lead the practice alongside Vilotte and Lederman.

Particularly well-regarded for its strategic counsel, Joffe & Associés is often retained for its expertise in media rights negotiations. It also handles the bidding, hosting and commercial exploitation aspects of national and international sports competitions. Practice head Romain Soiron is known as an ‘expert in contract negotiation, capable of providing original solutions to complex situations’. Associate Alvyn Gobardhan supports Soiron in sports law and commercial matters.

August Debouzy has an established track record in advising major sports organisations, clubs, brands, and athletes on financing, commercial contracts and acquisitions. As chosen counsel for sponsorship and ticketing matters, the firm advised the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee. Drawing on the experience of its TMT and IP specialists, the practice also has significant experience in sports media, including the distribution of sports content on social media. Alexandra Berg-Moussa is particularly active in sponsorship and contractual matters. She heads the practice together with Basile Ader  and Laurent Cotret.

Having developed an expertise in rugby, Bignon Lebray represents some of the top premiership clubs, defending its players before disciplinary panels. Equally as involved in golfing matters, the firm is the go-to counsel for Golf de Maisons Laffitte. Neil Robertson, who is also a sports agent, leads the practice and acts for clubs, players, and agents, with matters including the drafting and negotiating of employment contracts as well as of services and sponsorship agreements.