{"id":53654,"date":"2025-12-12T09:32:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:32:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/?post_type=press_releases&#038;p=53654"},"modified":"2025-12-12T09:32:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:32:51","slug":"gecic-law-launches-dedicated-sports-law-practice-group","status":"publish","type":"press_releases","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/press-releases\/gecic-law-launches-dedicated-sports-law-practice-group\/","title":{"rendered":"Geci\u0107 Law Launches Dedicated Sports Law Practice Group"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>14 May, 2025<\/p>\n<p>Geci\u0107 Law is pleased to announce the launch of its new\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geciclaw.com\/practices\/sportslaw\/\"><strong>Sports Law<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0practice group, further expanding the firm\u2019s full-service offerings.\u00a0 After years of significant involvement, specialization, and interest in sports-related legal matters, the firm has formalized this focus by establishing a dedicated practice group in this dynamic field.\u00a0 This move underscores Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging client needs and providing top-tier expertise in niche industries.\u00a0 The new Sports Law practice will be led by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geciclaw.com\/vuk-lekovic\/\">Vuk Lekovi\u0107<\/a>, who has been a key figure in many of the firm\u2019s sports law engagements and will serve as the Head of Sports Law.<\/p>\n<p>Formalizing Sports Law Expertise<\/p>\n<p>The establishment of the Sports Law practice group comes as a natural progression for Geci\u0107 Law.\u00a0 The firm\u2019s attorneys have long been active in advising and representing clients in the sports industry, from football and basketball to media and entertainment.\u00a0 By consolidating this expertise into a dedicated practice, Geci\u0107 Law ensures a multidisciplinary approach that leverages the firm\u2019s strengths in competition law, regulatory affairs, intellectual property, corporate law, and dispute resolution, all tailored to the unique context of sports.\u00a0 The Sports Law team will provide comprehensive legal support across a wide range of matters, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sports Governance &amp; Regulatory Compliance:<\/strong>\u00a0Advising sports federations, leagues, and clubs on governance issues, compliance with domestic and international regulations, and sports integrity matters (including anti-doping and ethical standards).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Media and Broadcasting Rights:<\/strong>\u00a0Navigating broadcasting agreements, media rights licensing, and digital streaming issues for sports events, ensuring clients maximize value while complying with competition laws and broadcasting regulations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contracts &amp; Player Transactions:<\/strong>\u00a0Drafting and negotiating contracts for athletes, coaches, and management (transfers, sponsorships, endorsements, and employment agreements), as well as representing parties in transfer arrangements and agent dealings in line with governing rules.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Event Support &amp; Commercial Matters:<\/strong>\u00a0Providing legal counsel for sporting events and tournaments \u2013 from venue agreements and ticketing to merchandising, franchising, and sponsorship deals \u2013 and advising investors in the sports sector.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dispute Resolution &amp; Advocacy:<\/strong>\u00a0Representing stakeholders in sports-related disputes, including arbitration before sports tribunals (CAS) and litigation involving disciplinary actions, regulatory challenges, or antitrust allegations in sports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Leadership and Vision<\/p>\n<p>Vuk Lekovi\u0107, Head of the Sports Law practice, commented on the significance of the launch:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday marks an exciting new chapter for our firm. By launching a dedicated Sports Law practice, we are building on years of experience in the sports arena and reaffirming our commitment to clients in this dynamic industry.\u00a0 Sports is more than just competition on the field \u2013 it\u2019s a global business with complex legal dimensions. We have had the privilege of advising on some of the most pivotal sports law matters in the region, and this formal platform will allow us to serve our clients with even greater focus and innovation.\u00a0 Our team\u2019s multidisciplinary approach, combined with a deep passion for sports, will help clients navigate the evolving sports regulatory landscape and achieve their goals both on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Vuk Lekovi\u0107 brings extensive experience to his new role as practice head.\u00a0 A seasoned competition law expert, he has been at the forefront of Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s sports-related cases and initiatives.\u00a0 Under his leadership, the Sports Law team will continue to emphasize excellence, integrity, and strategic insight, mirroring the firm\u2019s values in every engagement.\u00a0 The practice group will also draw on the expertise of other Geci\u0107 Law professionals across different disciplines to offer holistic solutions for sports sector clients.<\/p>\n<p>Proven Track Record in Sports Law<\/p>\n<p>Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s decision to launch a Sports Law practice is backed by a strong track record and proven successes in the sports law domain.\u00a0 In recent years, the firm has handled numerous high-profile sports-related legal matters.\u00a0 Notable examples include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Landmark Competition Case in Football Broadcasting:<\/strong>\u00a0Successfully representing\u00a0<strong>Arena Channels Group<\/strong>\u00a0in a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geciclaw.com\/premier-league-bih\/\">pivotal antitrust case<\/a>\u00a0concerning the broadcasting rights of the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which the competition authority fully rejected the claims against the client. This victory safeguarded fair competition in sports media and affirmed the firm\u2019s expertise in sports-related competition law.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Regulatory Triumph in Sports Media:<\/strong>\u00a0Leading a multinational legal team to overturn a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geciclaw.com\/kosovo-dispute-mts\/\">regulatory ban on sports television in Kosovo<\/a>, resulting in the reinstatement of\u00a0<strong>Arena sports channels<\/strong>\u00a0on local cable networks. This landmark win before the Independent Media Commission demonstrated Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s ability to navigate complex regulatory environments in the sports and media sector.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Major Sports Rights Transaction:<\/strong>\u00a0Advising\u00a0<strong>Telekom Srbija Group<\/strong>\u00a0on the acquisition of key regional sports broadcasting rights (Sport Klub channels) as part of a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ceelegalmatters.com\/gecic-law\/28839-gecic-law-kinstellar-and-schoenherr-advise-on-united-group-s-sale-of-eon-tv-international-and-sbb-belgrade\">\u20ac1.5\u202fbillion landmark telecom and media transaction<\/a>.\u00a0 Geci\u0107 Law served as lead counsel on this deal, which significantly expanded Telekom Srbija\u2019s sports content portfolio, showcasing the firm\u2019s capability in high-value, cross-border sports media deals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These engagements highlight Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s deep involvement in the sports industry and its ability to deliver results for broadcasters, leagues, and corporate players in sports.\u00a0 By formalizing the Sports Law practice, the firm is leveraging this experience to offer a more structured and client-focused service for all sports-related legal needs.<\/p>\n<p>Commitment to Clients and the Sports Industry<\/p>\n<p>With the launch of the Sports Law practice, Geci\u0107 Law is poised to further strengthen its role as a leading advisor in the sports sector.\u00a0 The firm will continue to serve a diverse client base \u2013 including athletes, clubs, sports federations, event organizers, media companies, and investors \u2013 providing each with tailored legal strategies\u00a0that address the challenges and opportunities of the sports world. The dedicated practice group allows Geci\u0107 Law to stay ahead of industry trends and regulatory developments, ensuring that clients receive up-to-date counsel in areas such as sports governance reforms, international transfer rules, and emerging issues like esports and digital assets in sports.<\/p>\n<p>Geci\u0107 Law\u2019s Founding Partner\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geciclaw.com\/gecic-bogdan\/\">Bogdan Geci\u0107\u00a0<\/a>noted that the creation of this practice aligns perfectly with the firm\u2019s vision of innovative growth: the firm has consistently broken new ground (being among the first in the region to establish specialized practices in areas like ESG and AI), and the Sports Law practice is the latest example of this forward-looking approach.\u00a0<em>\u201c<\/em>Our firm\u2019s philosophy has always been to anticipate our clients\u2019 needs and invest in areas where we can make a meaningful difference,\u201d\u00a0Bogdan Geci\u0107 said in internal discussions about the launch. \u201cThe sports industry in our region and beyond is expanding rapidly, and we recognize that it faces unique legal complexities. By launching a Sports Law practice, we bring our hallmark excellence and creativity to yet another field, ready to help shape the future of sports law in Southeastern Europe.<em>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Geci\u0107 Law is proud to take this step and looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence through the Sports Law practice.\u00a0 The firm remains committed to providing authoritative, effective counsel with the polished professionalism that clients have come to expect.\u00a0 In championing this new practice area, Geci\u0107 Law solidifies its position as a\u00a0<strong>t<\/strong>rusted legal partner in the sports arena, prepared to support and protect its clients\u2019 interests in every aspect of the game.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-53654","press_releases","type-press_releases","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases\/53654","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/press_releases"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/press_releases"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/developments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53654"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}