Zane Shihab has extensive experience representing some of the world’s largest and most recognisable sports organizations, events and athletes. He leads the firm’s U.K. sports, media and entertainment and intellectual property practice areas. He provides counsel to rights-holders, global brands, international sporting bodies and other high-profile individuals.

Zane focuses on brand protection and intellectual property, as well as the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts related to sponsorships, joint ventures, merchandising, broadcasting and new media, agency, distribution, franchise and image rights agreements, venue agreements, ticketing terms and conditions, and IP and software licenses. Further, as the market for nonfungible tokens (NFTs) continues to grow rapidly, Zane provides counsel to artists, athletes, teams and others in the sport and entertainment sectors on their rights and opportunities with regard to the commoditisation of these digital assets.

Zane has negotiated numerous high-value sponsorship and supplier agreements and other event-related contracts on behalf of major international golf, running, cycling, football and tennis governing bodies, including the London Marathon, UEFA, Racehorse Owner’s Association, Horsemen, W Series, London & Surrey Cycling Partnership and The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon). He has drafted and advised on the agreements connected to high-profile Premier League football transfers and renegotiations, and has successfully represented well-known players in disciplinary proceedings brought by the Football Association of England.

In addition, Zane serves as key legal advisor, supporting in-house counsel at The All England Lawn Tennis Club (Wimbledon), advising all departments across the organisation.

A regular contributor to sports publications, Zane frequently works with media and provides commentary on current events and sporting matters as they relate to the law.