Insights & News

Sports Q&A: How is AI being utilised in Sport?

30 May 2023

The use of data in sport is a well-established practice: sports teams, institutions, and governing bodies have a long history of leveraging data science to enhance the performance of athletes and players, with the goal of achieving a competitive advantage and improving the quality of the game.

The new FIFA football agent regulations – What you need to know

06 January 2023

After much controversy and debate, the new FIFA Football Agent Regulations were finally approved by the FIFA Council on 16 December 2022 and will come into force on 9 January 2023 with the aim of reinforcing contractual stability, protecting the integrity of the transfer system and achieving greater financial transparency.

Sports Q&A: What is a DAO and how are they relevant to sport?

26 September 2022

Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs) are a creature of Web3. The theory goes that they are membership-led bodies, which can operate as decentralised corporations in the digital, blockchain-supported world, independent of real world regulation. The paradigm DAO is transparent and self-governing without outside government interference and no power held by any executive or management board. The reality is, currently, somewhat different (see further below).

What's the meaning of a football transfer?

21 September 2022

Those involved with football transfers will be familiar with sell-on clauses given that they are widely used in the world of professional football. The purpose of a sell on clause is simple.

Future of Sport: Women in Football and Sports Media (with Jo Tongue and Charlotte Richardson)

05 August 2022

In this final episode of Season 1, JJ Shaw is joined by Jo Tongue (CEO of Tongue Tied Management and licensed FA intermediary) and Charlotte Richardson (Football commentator, match reporter and presenter) – to discuss life in the football industry and sports media.

Sports Q&A: FIFA's new football agent regulations - what do you need to know?

27 June 2022

Agents are always an important topic in football and especially so at the moment as FIFA’s new football agent regulations are imminent and set to impact all stakeholders who work within the football industry. In this month’s Q&A, John Shea outlines some of the key changes being proposed in order to ensure that agents, clubs, and players are ahead of the game.

Future of Sport: Stadium Technology of Tomorrow (with Chi Bhatia)

08 May 2022

In this episode, JJ Shaw is joined by Chi Bhatia – VP of Strategy and Growth at OnePlan & Venue Twin – to discuss all things relating to stadiums and technology.

Shipwrecking online pirates: we can’t wait for a change in the wind, we need to adjust their sails to force a change of course

20 April 2022

As life begins to return to some sort of normality after the huge disruption caused by COVID, we have been reflecting on how the swift imposition of lockdowns and other restrictions escalated what was likely to be a greater shift to the consumption of digital entertainment content via the internet and streaming services; both the legitimate and illegal kinds.

Sports Q&A: Conducting misconduct investigations

12 April 2022

In an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape, dealing with the intricacies of investigations can be fraught with difficulties, especially in a sports context. Often conducted under intense scrutiny, from the media and stakeholders, allegations need to be carefully and appropriately investigated to maintain your reputation and mitigate legal risk. In this Q&A we consider some of the key questions when conducting a investigation into your staff, coaches, officials or members.

Gambling Advertising: ASA and CAP move the goal posts for footballers and celebs

06 April 2022

Following an 18 month consultation period, the ASA today announced that it will be changing the rules when it comes to who can appear in gambling ads.

What should I look out for in a club sponsorship contract?

16 March 2022

Q: Our local rugby team has lost its shirt sponsor and we’ve been offered a deal if we can make a quick decision. What are the key things to look out for in a sponsorship contract?

Future of Sport: Female Trailblazers (with Reema Juffali and Hannah Rankin)

15 February 2022

In this bumper episode, JJ Shaw and Alex Kelham are joined by two trailblazers from the world of women’s sport – Hannah Rankin (reigning WBA and IBO super-welterweight world boxing champion) and Reema Juffali (Saudi Arabia’s first female professional racing driver).

Stephen O’Flaherty recognised in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 for 2022

18 January 2022

Lewis Silkin’s Stephen O’Flaherty has been named in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 for 2022, celebrating the most daring, innovative, and creative lawyers in the UK for the past year. Stephen is one of two associates to be named in this year’s list.

Sports Q&A - Transgender athletes: What do the IOC's new guidelines mean for sports organisations?

13 December 2021

In November, the International Olympic Committee released new guidance which says there should be no assumption that a transgender athlete automatically has an unfair advantage in female events. In this Q&A, Anna Bond and James Garmston dive deep into the new guidelines to ensure you fully understand what they mean for your organisation.

Future of Sport: The Player Care Group and the future of player wellbeing with Hugo Scheckter

05 November 2021

In this episode, JJ Shaw and Stephen O’Flaherty are joined by Hugo Scheckter (Founder and Managing Director of The Player Care Group).

Future of Sport: Recast and the future of sports media rights (with Andy Meikle and Rob Zeko)

03 October 2021

In this episode, our host JJ Shaw is joined by Andy Meikle (CEO & Founder of Recast) and Rob Zeko (Chief Commercial Office of Recast).

Sports Q&A - I've heard lots of noise about the Online Safety Bill, but is it relevant to sport?

15 September 2021

Q: I've heard lots of noise about the Online Safety Bill, but is it relevant to sport?

Future of Sport podcast with Alex Kelham and Andrew Osborne: Sports trends you should know about.

26 August 2021

In this first episode of our inaugural series of the Future of Sport podcast, our host JJ Shaw is joined by Alex Kelham and Andrew Osborne – Partners and Co-Heads of the Sports Business group.

COVID-19 advice for corporate occupiers

16 June 2021

Commercial tenants – whether occupying offices, retail premises, industrial units or other property - face potentially existential questions arising out of their landlord and tenant relations, how to manage cashflow and outgoings as revenues dry up, premises shut down and uncertainty reigns.

Sports Q&A - I want to make alterations to my sports venue due to Covid-19 – do I need any third-party consent(s) for this?

15 June 2021

The answer is, maybe! This depends on a few factors, which are set out below.