What is sports law?
Sports law – or, more broadly, the body of law governing the sports industry – is a comprehensive area of legal practice through which Grant Thornton assists participants in the sports market in exercising their rights and complying with their legal obligations.
Our advice encompasses relationships among market participants, including athletes, sports clubs, coaches, agents, and sponsors, as well as businesses that use sports as a platform for commercial activities. We also advise on matters involving public authorities and domestic and international sports organizations and adjudicatory bodies.
The distinctive nature of the sports industry requires not only a thorough understanding of domestic law, but also in-depth knowledge of the regulations adopted by governing bodies such as the Polish Football Association (PZPN), UEFA, and FIFA, as well as the practices of bodies that adjudicate sports-related disputes. These bodies include Polish institutions, such as the PZPN Football Arbitration Court and the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Polish Olympic Committee, and international bodies, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber.
Sports law therefore draws on administrative, civil, corporate and commercial, employment, social security, and tax law, as well as the rules and disciplinary regulations of sports associations and federations.
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Who can benefit from sports law advice?
Our services are designed for participants throughout the sports industry that must navigate complex legal and business relationships. We advise sports clubs, athletes, coaches, agents, and management agencies on contract negotiation, contract performance, and dispute resolution.
Our services also extend to sports associations, event organizers, sponsors, sporting goods manufacturers, and investors interested in the sports market.
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When should you seek sports law advice?
Legal advice is particularly important when protecting a client’s interests in the dynamic and highly regulated sports environment. Relevant matters include negotiating and entering into contracts, player transfers, relationships with agents, and compliance with domestic and international regulations.
Legal support is also valuable in disputes among clubs, athletes, and other sports-market participants, including contractual, financial, and disciplinary disputes. It is equally important in investment transactions, such as acquisitions and sales of sports clubs, and in satisfying licensing and regulatory requirements.
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What are the benefits of sports law services?
Comprehensive legal support enables sports-industry participants to strengthen their legal position and manage operational risk more effectively. Clearly defined contractual relationships and commercial arrangements among market participants promote transparency and operational stability.
Additional benefits include effective representation before domestic and international adjudicatory and regulatory bodies, together with support in contract negotiations and investment transactions.
Scope of Grant Thornton's sports law services
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Representation in proceedings before sports associations and governing bodies
We represent clients in proceedings before sports associations, governing bodies, and adjudicatory bodies, including:
– the PZPN Football Arbitration Court in contractual and financial disputes at both levels of review, including, where appropriate, preparing appeals to the competent court of appeals and cassation appeals to the Supreme Court;
– the PZPN Disciplinary Committee and League Committee in disciplinary proceedings concerning sanctions imposed on athletes and clubs, at both levels of review;
– the adjudicatory and disciplinary bodies of other sports associations;
– appellate proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the Polish Olympic Committee, including cassation proceedings before the Supreme Court and proceedings before the PZPN Chief Appeals Committee;
– the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber; and
– the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
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Legal support for sports contracts
We provide legal support throughout the drafting, negotiation, execution, and performance of agreements, including:
– agreements governing player and coach transfers between soccer clubs;
– club–player agreements;
– club–coach agreements;
– club–sporting director agreements;
– agreements between clubs and agents or management agencies; and
– player representation agreements with agents or management agencies.
Our support covers all relevant contractual arrangements, including cross-border aspects and financial and payment matters such as solidarity contributions, training compensation, and compliance with FIFA Clearing House regulations.
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Immigration advice relating to player and coach transfers
We provide comprehensive legal support on immigration matters arising in connection with the recruitment and transfer of foreign athletes and coaches.
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Drafting and reviewing club agreements and internal policies
We draft and review agreements and internal policies governing sports club operations, including:
– agreements between clubs and athletes, coaches, agents, sporting directors, and club employees;
– disciplinary policies;
– bonus and incentive plans;
– stadium rules and policies;
– rules governing the organization of sporting events;
– ticketing terms and procedures; and
– stadium lease agreements with facility owners.
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Licensing
We provide legal support throughout licensing proceedings and review the documentation required for the applicable licensing process.
Raport na temat wyników finansowych klubów PKO Bank Polski Ekstraklasy
How we deliver our services
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Understanding your needs and legal position
We develop a detailed understanding of the client’s business and identify the principal legal and commercial issues.
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Assessing risks and regulatory requirements
We analyze the applicable legal and regulatory framework and identify risks associated with operating in the sports industry.
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Developing legal solutions
We draft or review agreements and policies and develop strategies for litigation, arbitration, regulatory proceedings, and negotiations.
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Representation and implementation
We represent clients before domestic and international adjudicatory, regulatory, and governing bodies and assist with implementing the agreed legal solutions.
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Ongoing support and development
We provide ongoing legal counsel and assist clients with subsequent projects, transactions, and commercial relationships.
We develop a detailed understanding of the client’s business and identify the principal legal and commercial issues.
Why Grant Thornton?
Grant Thornton provides comprehensive legal support to the sports industry, combining legal expertise with practical experience advising entities active in the Polish sports market. Our extensive work with clubs, sports organizations, and other market participants gives us a practical understanding of the industry’s distinctive regulatory and commercial environment.
We are also distinguished by our active role in analyzing the sports market.
We publish the Financial Ekstraklasa and Financial First League reports in cooperation with competition organizers and clubs. These reports provide comprehensive analyses of club financial performance and developments in Poland’s soccer market.
By combining legal advisory and analytical expertise, we help clients comply with domestic and international requirements and make informed decisions grounded in the commercial realities of the sports market.
We also serve as auditors for leading Polish sports associations, including the Polish Football Association (PZPN), the Polish Volleyball Association (PZPS), and the Polish Handball Association (ZPRP). In addition, we oversee the Polish Volleyball League (PLS) licensing process and serve as a partner to the league.
Learn more about our experience on the page dedicated to our industry team, which supports clubs, sports associations, and other participants in Poland’s sports market.
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30+
years in Poland
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1,200+
employees across 7 offices
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2,500
clients served annually
Our clients
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Financial audit
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Licensing process oversight
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Payroll and HR outsourcing for players and coaching staff
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Preparation of the Financial Ekstraklasa report
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Preparation of the Financial First League report and professional training services
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Financial audit
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Company valuation
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Preparation of the financial model for Górnik Zabrze S.A.
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Valuation of the Legia Training Center and Legia Tenis Sp. z o.o.
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Business plan preparation and advisory support
