Sports Law
At RDJ, we are proud to advise a broad spectrum of clients across the sports sector—from national governing bodies and elite clubs to investors and individual athletes. Our multidisciplinary Sports Law team combines deep legal expertise with a genuine passion for sport, delivering practical, strategic advice across both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Meet the team
We regularly advise on a wide range of mandates, from appeals processes and independent reviews to complex commercial transactions and regulatory investigations. Our team has extensive experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, advising on disciplinary and safeguarding matters, and supporting clients through internal investigations and governance reviews. We are also trusted advisors on reputation management, mergers and acquisitions, investment transactions, and licensing and intellectual property issues.
Our expertise extends to real estate and infrastructure projects, including all aspects of stadium development—from planning and procurement, to construction and operational agreements. We also advise on high-value sponsorship, media, and merchandising deals, helping clients protect and grow their commercial interests in a fast-evolving global sports landscape.
What sets us apart is our deep understanding of the sports industry and the legal frameworks that govern it. Our lawyers are not only specialists in their field—they are genuinely passionate about sport and committed to helping our clients succeed both on and off the field.
We cover all aspects of sports law, including:
Corporate/M&A:
- Advised FC32 on its acquisition of Cobh Ramblers Football Club. FC32 is an international group of experienced Sports Executives and is focused on building a Player-First model through the acquisition of multiple clubs around the world.
- Advised Grovemoor Limited, owners of Preston North End Football Club, on their substantial investment in Cork City F.C. and in subsequent engagement with the Cork City F.C. Supporters Trust.
- RDJ is the primary legal adviser to Connacht Rugby, guiding on commercial sponsorships, service contracts, and governance matters. Notable projects include the redevelopment of Dexcom Stadium and a long-term stadium naming rights agreement with Dexcom.
- Primary legal adviser to Munster Rugby, advising on various aspects of their business, including the creation of a Centre of Excellence, stadium naming rights, player issues, sponsorship, and licensing matters.
- Advised a number of Ireland’s universities, including Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin, on various sports-related legal matters including stadium acquisitions.
- Advised the Miami Heat Basketball franchise on data protection issues, including drafting data protection-related policies and privacy notices relating to their trade in Europe.
- Advised numerous golf clubs on various issues, including the sale of resorts and golf clubs, sporting lease issues, and the proposed relocation of clubs.
Sports Disputes:
- Advised Cork County GAA Board in relation to Construction Law dispute arising from the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium.
- Advise Sporting Clubs and Sporting Bodies in Football, Gaelic Games, and Rugby in relation to various ongoing issues, and have acted in numerous such Clubs in various pieces of litigation that have arisen out of Club activities. In particular RDJ have been involved in a number of significant cases relating to disciplinary and personal injury issues arising from play.
- Advised extensively in relation to disputes relating to Qualifying Criteria for major Sporting Games, including Olympic Games. Our involvement in these disputes has involved appearing at processes before the Olympic Council of Ireland, the International Olympic Committee, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
- Advise numerous private golf clubs on litigation matters.
Real Estate and Construction:
Key Contacts
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