Acting for several Premier League clubs, the football sector is a key component of Gateley Legal‘s work, with support in the industry comprising brand licensing, sponsorship, general commercial contracts, and stadium development work. With a far-reaching sporting practice spanning doping, discrimination, whistleblowing, and governance issues, co-lead Chris Kisby is a trusted advisor to sports organisations and national governing bodies, while fellow team lead Claire Herbert receives a varied stream of instructions regarding commercial disputes in the sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- NOQ Events Limited
- The Royal Birkdale Golf Club
- British Amateur Boxing Association Limited
- City Football Group
- Aguila Sport UK Limited
- Newcastle United
- Sport and Recreation Alliance
- British Skateboarding
- Reading FC
- Commonwealth Games
- Racecraft Motorsport Promotion Limited
- World Sports Buddy Limited
- FGX Sports Limited
- Ice Hockey UK
- Notts County FC
- West Ham United
- International Netball Federation
- Supporters Direct (now Football Supporters Association)
- Brighton and Hove Albion
- ADI.tv
Work highlights
Advising Newcastle United on all aspects of its brand protection, from securing trade mark applications to protect new commercial opportunities such as NFTs and trading in the metaverse, to working with law enforcement agencies to enforce its intellectual property rights against the sale of counterfeits.
Advising City Football Group on an outsourcing arrangement to provide ongoing legal services, including a permanent secondee, with a focus on sponsorship agreements, international licensing, and facility agreements.
Advising Badminton England through a 3-year commercial partnership, providing full-service legal advice and support.
Practice head
Chris Kisby; Claire Herbert