Clifford Chance‘s sports team is experienced in handling contentious and non-contentious matters. It is regularly entrusted to advise major sport leagues, governing bodies, clubs, event organisers and broadcasting companies on domestic and international matters. Counsel and former Paris managing partner Yves Wehrli, who is a specialist in corporate and commercial contracts, leads the team. Litigation is another key area of practice for the team, which regularly acts for its reputable clients in a broad range of disputes, a recent example being its representation of Ligue de Football Professionne in relation to TV scheduling changes resulting from Covid-19; Thibaud d’Alès is the key names in this space.

Louis de Gaulle, Serge Lederman, Jean-François Vilotte, who leads on many of the team’s most complex matters, and Agnès Macaire head the practice at De Gaulle Fleurance & Associés. The group's workload involves advising a broad range of notable clients on the full spectrum of matters in the space; it is assisting with the competition and sports law considerations concerning the organisation of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and is a popular choice to advise on international events. Additionally, a significant portion of its workload includes advising on the formation and negotiation of relevant contracts and agreements.

The sports law team at Joffe & Associés is led by the experienced Romain Soiron. The group is experienced in representing a wide-range of clients, particularly in the football area, including domestic federations and leagues as well as local organising committees and football clubs, in complex cases concerning ticket resale disputes, the sale and purchase of clubs, cross-jurisdictional sponsorship deals, and commercial contract negotiations. It is also well-equipped to act for its well-known individual clients in contentious matters relating to the alleged mismanagement of funds and image rights, among other areas. Counsel Alvyn Gobardhan has significant expertise in the area.

Neil Robertson heads the sports practice at Bignon Lebray, which acts for sports clients, clubs, professional sportsmen and event organisers. The group advises on the creation, structuring and day-to-day operation of sports companies and clubs, sponsorship agreements and employment contracts, predominantly concerning golf, football and rugby. It has a strong focus on defending individual sportspeople at disciplinary hearings.