Who are sports lawyers and what do they do?

Whether you are an athlete or a sports organization, there are many legal angles that need to be covered on a daily basis. Since a lot of money is involved and contracts that need to be signed, it’s only logical that lawyers are involved. So one can either consult a private practice, a law company, or go to someone who specialises in sports law, which might be the best way to go.

What do sports lawyers do?

Sports lawyers are essentially legal professionals who advise on the legal aspects of sport. Their role is to advise on sports law issues, sports law contracts, sports law disputes and other similar matters. They may also advise on corporate governance issues related to sport as well as non-sport related matters where there are links or overlaps with the sporting world. For example, a professional NFL player can bet on casino and poker games, but if he were to place bets on a football game that would breach the league law. 

The main functions of a sports lawyer include:

  • Advising clients before they enter into any arrangements involving their sporting activities;
  • Providing advice regarding agreements such as player contracts;
  • Applying existing laws relating to competition and consumer protection in order to resolve disputes between athletes or clubs (doping allegations, violation of club or league rules);
  • Advising players when they are considering moving teams or changing careers entirely, whether it’s due to injury or otherwise—for example if someone decides not being able to continue playing at an elite level due financial reasons then perhaps returning back home would be best suited instead of pursuing another profession altogether (which could result in them opting out of their contract both with clubs or sponsors).

What kind of sports lawyers are there?

When considering your career, you need to be aware of the different types of sports law jobs available. There are generalists who handle a variety of legal issues affecting sport, and specialists who focus on just one area. You can work in-house for a sports organization or as an external counsel for a law firm or public body. In addition, there are opportunities for those with specialties such as intellectual property (IP) protection and compliance (ethics).

Finally, what is sports law?

Sports law is a legal practice focused on issues related to sports. It covers a wide range of subject areas, including employment law and commercial disputes between teams, players, sponsors and governing bodies. The area has grown rapidly in recent years as more people consider themselves fans of sport and understand the financial implications of their favourite pastimes. Sports law is complex compared to other areas of practice such as criminal or personal injury claims because it covers so many different types of transactions involving professional athletes at all levels. It ranges from amateur clubs related legal issues up to covering international competitions like the World Cup or the Olympics.

However you decide to shape your career path, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of what being an attorney involves before embarking on this adventure.