Harbottle & Lewis LLP

Sport

Michael is a partner and specialist sport and entertainment industry lawyer.

He advises players and athletes, professional clubs and teams, brand sponsors and sports governing bodies on contractual and regulatory matters. His work covers several sports including football, motorsport, golf, tennis, cricket, rugby, cycling and athletics.

Michael’s work for sports men and women includes advising on contracts with their clubs and teams and image rights exploitation including endorsement contracts. He also advises various sports teams on commercial contracts including licensing, sponsorship and merchandising.

His work advising brands and sponsors includes drafting and negotiating sponsorship agreements with sports teams or in relation to major events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship and UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, the ICC Cricket World Cup and Formula One.

Michael’s wider entertainment industry work involves advising a wide range of talent on contracts with brands and agencies. This includes many of the UK’s most well-known models, influencers and streamers. He also advises a number of creative agencies.

Michael began his career as a sports lawyer working for the organising committee of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Admitted as a Solicitor in 2009 having trained at Harbottle & Lewis; made Partner in 2017.

Law Society; European Sponsorship Association.

The University of Birmingham; The College of Law.

Football, cricket, golf, tennis, squash and swimming; ECB Level II cricket coach