Commended as ‘the best in the business’, Harrogate-based McCormicks attributes its reputation to founding partner Peter McCormick, who is praised as ‘the UK’s leading football lawyer by a mile’ and was recently appointed as interim chairman of The Premier League. McCormick leads the practice alongside Philip Edmondson, who focuses on disputes involving key clients, such as Leeds United FC, and James Towler, who advises sporting clients on acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, group reorganisations and commercial agreements. Other key members of the team include commercial property head Heather Roberts and associate Emily Steed.

Walker Morris LLP ‘has real strength in sales and purchases of football clubs’, and counts Fulham FC, AFC Bournemouth and Burnley FC among its key roster of clients. The team is well-versed across a range of other matters, from sponsorships deals, transfer agreements and commercial partnerships to real estate transactions and disputes. Practice leader David Hinchcliffe is noted for his expertise in finance mandates involving football clubs, while Alistair McHenry specialises in sports litigation, including arbitrations and contentious regulatory matters. Other key members of the team include commercial property partner Jeremy Moore as well as senior associates Charlotte Smith, who focuses on employment disputes, and Christian Slinger.

Clarion’s cross-practice sports team acts for sporting retail companies, including Sports Direct, well-known sportswear brands and sporting venues on a range of corporate and dispute resolution mandates. Senior partner Richard Moran, who advises on purchase, sale and funding matters, leads the group, which also includes head of commercial Matthew Hattersley. The team is well-placed to leverage the expertise of other departments across the firm, including real estate and IP.

Freeths LLP ‘formidable’ sports practice ‘leaves no stone unturned’ when advising its client roster on a range of mandates, from arbitrations and disputes to sporting contracts, acquisitions of football clubs and financing matters. Director Geoff Cunningham leads the team and acts for well-known athletes, including professional boxer Amir Khan, as well as numerous football clubs, such as Derby County FC and Leyton Orient FC. Cunningham, who joined the firm from Walker Morris LLP in October 2020, is especially noted for his expertise in contentious sport matters.