Sports law

Q: What kind of contracts are most often concluded in sports law?

The most common contracts in sports law include: Contracts on the professional performance of sports between athletes and clubs. Sponsorship agreements between athletes or clubs and sponsors. License Agreements regarding broadcast rights and merchandising sales. Transfer contracts when the athlete transitions between teams.

Q: What do the "marketing" rights of athletes include?

Athlete marketing rights include the athlete's right use your name, likeness, voice and other aspects of your personality for advertising and commercial purposes . These rights allow the athlete to enter into contracts for sponsorship, product licensing and other advertising activities.

Q: How can an athlete commercially use their marketing rights?

An athlete can monetize their marketing rights through: Sponsorship agreements , where a company pays for an athlete to promote its products or services. Advertising campaigns , in which the athlete appears as the face of the brand. Merchandising , where the athlete's name or likeness is used on products that are then sold. License Agreements , where the athlete grants rights to use his identity or signature for commercial purposes.

Professional legal advice in the field of sports law

Are you an athlete and want to sign a contract with a sports club? Have you failed a doping test and want to defend yourself?

Sports law is one of the legal branches that is often overlooked for no reason and perceived as a mere offshoot of civil law, thus commercial law. However, this is a constantly developing set of rules, which in the vast majority of cases is not firmly anchored within the legal system.

Top experts

Our lawyers have extensive experience and deep knowledge in the field of sports law.

Complex services

We provide complete legal advice from the preparation of contracts to representing clients in the event of a dispute.

Individual approach

We handle each case with the utmost care and adapt to the client's needs.

Preparation of contracts for the performance of sports activities

We prepare or revise for clients contracts for the performance of sports activities and other related documents.

Negotiations with sports clubs and associations

On behalf of clients, we negotiate with sports clubs or national sports associations about the terms of cooperation with the client.

Personal and marketing rights of athletes

We are dealing with the adjustment personality and marketing rights in the framework of sponsorships and activities of our clients.

Comprehensive counseling related to the beginning of the professional career of an athlete

Aspiring professional athletes (also among the youth) we help with registration to the tax office, OSSZ, insurance company, we provide legal advice related to securing housing, purchasing cars and other necessary things.

Federal law

We also provide our clients with legal services in the areas of federal law, both on our own emergence, over preparation of internal regulations connected with the functioning of such organizations, to help to end their existence.

Representation of clients - athletes and organizations in court and other proceedings

We also represent clients when exercising their claims within the framework court or arbitration proceedings, therefore arbitration.

JUDr. Miroslav Různar

senior attorney

What is sports law?

Sports law is an area of law that regulates legal relationships within sports activities. It covers athletes' contracts, rules of sports competitions, protection of intellectual property (e.g. trademarks and broadcasting rights), doping issues, liability of athletes and organizers and other related aspects.

What kind of contracts are most often concluded in sports law?

The most common contracts in sports law include:

Contracts on the professional performance of sports between athletes and clubs.
Sponsorship agreements between athletes or clubs and sponsors.
License Agreements regarding broadcast rights and merchandising sales.
Transfer contracts when the athlete transitions between teams.

What is the position of athletes from the point of view of labor law?

A professional athlete can appear in legal relations in a position employee, self-employed person or entrepreneur. You can find out more about this in our article The legal status of a professional athlete in the performance of sports activities.

How is intellectual property protected in sports?

The protection of intellectual property in sports mainly concerns trademarks (e.g. club logos), broadcasting rights and merchandising. Sports organizations often register their names and logos as trademarks and sell licensing rights to use these symbols to third parties.

What do the "marketing" rights of athletes include?

Athlete marketing rights include the athlete's right use your name, likeness, voice and other aspects of your personality for advertising and commercial purposes. These rights allow the athlete to enter into contracts for sponsorship, product licensing and other advertising activities.

How can an athlete commercially use their marketing rights?

An athlete can monetize their marketing rights through:

Sponsorship agreements, where a company pays for an athlete to promote its products or services.
Advertising campaigns, in which the athlete appears as the face of the brand.
Merchandising, where the athlete's name or likeness is used on products that are then sold.
License Agreements, where the athlete grants rights to use his identity or signature for commercial purposes.

What must an athlete look out for when entering into marketing rights contracts?

When concluding contracts, it is important to:

clearly define what rights are granted,
state the time and geographical limitations of the contract (how long and where the sponsor can use the athlete's rights),
set conditions and financial rewards,
to protect the right to refuse the promotion of competing or inappropriate products,
deal with the terms of termination of the contract and claims for compensation for breach of contract.