Sports, Media and Entertainment

Negotiated three retransmission consent cycles for a broadband telecommunications company. Managed the increasing costs of sports and entertainment programming while setting a foundation to enable the company to expand operations into new markets.

Completed the wind-down of a client's fantasy sports subsidiary. Transitioned customer accounts off service. Negotiated and managed the early termination of multiple operating agreements to minimize cost and disruption to the client's ongoing operations.

Secured the dismissal of a Virginia state court case seeking to ban the sale of a client’s book. A Virginia Beach General Assembly Delegate brought the action against our client and one of its authors, filed under a decades-old statue and alleging that the book – a memoir, told in graphic novel form, of the author’s own journey of realizing their nonbinary and asexual identity – was “obscene.” Argued that the statute was unconstitutional both facially and as-applied, and that the petition failed to state a claim under Virginia law. The Court agreed and found that the book could not be considered “obscene” under state law, as well as that the statute was unconstitutional in violation of due process and the First Amendment.

Drafted and negotiated commercial agreements for UEFA in relation to EURO 2020, including in respect of its hospitality and concessions operations for the tournament.

Advised The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon) and London Marathon Events on an ongoing basis, particularly in relation to their commercial operations. This includes advising on and drafting all documents related to their live sporting events, virtual events, brand and charity partners, brand protection, social media campaigns and partners, and headline sponsorship agreements.

Acting as General Counsel in a secondment capacity to a spatial data technology company, advising on all commercial and legal matters within the business.

Drafted and negotiated composer agreements for a live sports events business, covering the licensing of original soundtracks and ‘anthems’.

Assisted London Marathon Events in acquiring the business and certain assets of Grounded Events Limited (in administration) (the company name for Brighton Marathon) from the Administrators (FRP Advisory). This included, amongst others, Brighton Marathon’s brand and intellectual property. Also acted for London Marathon Events on the grant to it of a licence to hold the event from Brighton & Hove City Council.

Obtained a complete defense victory following a five-day arbitration hearing on behalf of a local festival and concert promoter in a dispute filed by the counter-party to an expired profit-sharing agreement.

Won a motion to dismiss on behalf of an internet-based social gaming company accused of violating Illinois gambling statutes. The entire class action complaint filed in federal court was dismissed before any discovery took place.

Represented a state lottery operator in various disputes related to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, the disclosure of confidential information and contractual disagreements with the governmental department responsible for the lottery.

Advised international media company in transferring employees to the U.K. to undertake work experience rotation as part of a trainee programme.

Acted for a former Premier League footballer in claim against his former agent and barrister to recover ownership of a company which had been misappropriated.

Acted for a manager and songwriters who wished to form a company that would act on behalf of various artists in the capacity of a manager, independent record label and publisher. This instruction included advice on voidability and/or unenforceability of certain structures and documents as a result of undue influence and/or restraint of trade (with particular focus on case law in the music industry). Also drafted and negotiated the documents governing the arrangements, which included articles of association and a shareholders’ agreement, an artist management agreement, a record label agreement and a music publishing agreement.