Freshfields has demonstrated a comprehensive range of capabilities in the sport sector, spanning regulatory, transactional and contentious matters. Most notably, the team has been advising Manchester City FC on various regulatory issues, including a claim against the Premier League, which was led by Rhodri Thomas and Deba Das. Beyond the firm’s wider capabilities, which enable it to provide advice to sporting organisations on high-value corporate matters, they have a number of lawyers with other specialisms who contribute to the practice. Charles Hayes has a private capital practice which handles high-value transactions in the sports space, such as SURJ Sports Investment’s deal with DAZN, a global streaming platform. David Brooks advises on a range of intellectual property and commercial issues arising from the sector, including image rights, sponsorship arrangements and player agreements. Chris Mort leads the sport practice and leads on many of the team’s most significant matters, whether they be contentious or non-contentious. Associate Felix Schaaf has been described by clients as a ‘brilliant and creative lawyer’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Rhodri Thomas - hugely committed and approachable partner with unique sector expertise Felix Shaff - a brilliant and creative lawyer. ’
- ‘The team has incredible strength from to bottom. Their commitment and the quality of work is unparalleled.’
- ‘The quality of work, depth of knowledge and just the ability to get through complex matters very quickly, professionally and with the appropriate level of care makes them stand out.’
- ‘I have been instructed by these solicitors since 2023 in a continuing series of arbitrations. The partners involved are Rhodri Thomas and Deba Das. They and their associates have consistently produced work of the very highest quality in terms of their knowledge of the law, their judgment, their strategic skills and their client care.
Key clients
- Manchester City Football Club Limited
- City Football Group Limited / Lommel SK
- English Football League
- Sports Investment Company (trading as SURJ Sports Investment) of Saudi Arabia
- Super League Basketball Limited
- Everton Football Club Company Limited and various of its subsidiaries, in particular Everton Stadium Development Limited
- Rugby Football Union
- DAZN Group
- Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi
- Basketball Arbitration Tribunal
Work highlights
Representing Manchester City Football Club in its successful claim against the Premier League regarding the lawfulness of the Premier League’s Associated Party Transactions rules.
Conducting an independent review of the provenance, design, implementation, and communication of the long-term incentive plan for the RFU executive team, covering the period from 2021 to 2024.
Advising SURJ Sports Investment – the sport investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – on its minority investment in DAZN, a global sports streaming platform.
Practice head
Chris Mort; Rhodri Thomas
Other key lawyers
David Brooks; Deba Das; Charles Hayes; Felix Schaaf