RPC advises on a wide range of commercial and regulatory sports matters, with particular strength in the development of women’s sport. The team advised over 25 clubs on the formation of the new company operating the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Championship, as well as providing counsel to the Women’s Super League on multiple significant commercial transactions. The firm has since been appointed as sole partner to Premiership Women’s Rugby and the Netball Super League team, London Mavericks. The firm’s wider client base spans a range of major stakeholders and rights-holders in sport and esports and ongoing relationships include advisory work for Google, Newcastle United FC, England Lacrosse, Saracens and Sport England. Jeremy Drew and Josh Charalambous co-lead the Sports Group. Neil Brown provides a corporate specialism to the team, whilst associate Ellie Chakarto works closely with sport clients on a range of commercial and IP issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has brought to esports the benefit of its vast experience in traditional sports but has taken the time to understand how esports is different to the multiple traditional sports leagues/ disciplines that the team works across. ’
‘Joshua Charalambous - a steely core and high intelligence 'hidden' behind a friendly and low-key approach. Josh is very easy to work with, but doesn't drop a ball on quality or delivery.'
‘RPC is an excellent City firm that offers huge dedication with a human-touch service.’
‘Josh Charalambous - Partner: brilliant litigator and partner on commercial and sports-related issues.’
- 'Neil Brown and Josh Charalambous are integral to the growth and foundations of our business. Their broad knowledge and experience is invaluable. They are our counsel but also our strategic advisors, risk officers and investment consultants.'
- 'Their goal is to help us build strong foundations. That means they are thinking and driving us to consider all our decisions from completion regulation, joint venture structures, commercial partners and media rights in the context of growth.'
Key clients
- Women’s Super League
- DAZN
- Newcastle United FC
- Bath Rugby
- Saracens
- Sports Direct
- London Mavericks
- GAME Digital
- Tommy Hilfiger
- National Student Esports
- AB InBev
- England Lacrosse
- Skateboard GB
- Soft Construct
- GiantX
- Fnatic
- LEC Esports Teams
- thinkBeyond Sport
- Sport Industry Group
- Esports Awards
Work highlights
Advised Women’s Super League in the largest ever domestic sponsorship in women’s professional football, with Barclays, as well as the market-leading domestic media rights deals with Sky and BBC.
Acted for all of the women’s professional clubs in the formation of a new company to own and operate the Barclays Women’s Super League and Barclays Women’s Super League 2.
Appointed the exclusive lawyers to Premiership Women’s Rugby, advising on a range of commercial and regulatory matters.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Jeremy Drew; Josh Charalambous
Other key lawyers
Neil Brown; Ellie Chakarto