18 - In Conversation with Dame Tracey Crouch DBE

In episode 18 of The Sports Law Podcast, Nick De Marco KC is joined by Dame Tracey Crouch DBE, managing director of sport at Hanover Communications, for a special in-depth episode. Tracey was previously Sports Minister in the UK and Chair of the Independent Fan-Led Review of Football Governance, often referred to as the Crouch Report, which led to the new Independent football Regulator, the first of its kind in the world.In this insightful episode, Tracey discusses her career and life in politics and sport, the Fan-Led Review, challenges for the new Football Regulator, women’s sport and the wider role of sport in society.

Welcome to episode 17 of the Sports Law Podcast. In this episode, Nick De Marco KC presents recorded highlights from the 2025 Blackstone Chambers seminar titled The Impact of the Football Governance Act on Dispute Resolution in Football. Recorded at the IET London, Nick chaired the session and the panel comprised Adam Lewis KC, Tom Hickman KC, James Segan KC, Tom Richards KC, Shane Sibbel, Celia Rooney and Marlena Valles.During the seminar, the panel considered recent developments within the existing dispute resolution processes in football and considered how those processes and issues may be affected by the introduction of the new regulator and review before the Competition Appeal Tribunal under the Football Governance Act.To access the PowerPoint slides used at the seminar, please head to the Sports Law Podcast landing page on the Blackstone Chambers website and navigate to episode 17.

Streaming now, episode 16 of the Blackstone Chambers Sports Law Podcast: Artificial Intelligence in Sport.Host Nick De Marco KC is joined by four leading experts to explore the fascinating area of Artificial Intelligence in sport. The panel comprises Harry Borovick, General Counsel and AI Governance Officer at Luminance; Christopher Flanagan, Head of Legal at Future plc; Christian Nourry, Chief Executive Officer of QPR FC; and Marlena Valles, barrister at Blackstone Chambers.Join the panellists as they explore how AI is being used in sport today, the legal and ethical issues it raises, and how its role is expected to evolve in the years ahead.

Streaming now, episode 15 of the Blackstone Chambers Sports Law Podcast: Life as a Sports Lawyer. Host Nick De Marco KC is joined by an expert panel: Caroline McGrory, Chief Legal Officer at Cadillac F1; Angelique Richardson, Senior Associate at Lawrence Stephens; Celia Rooney, barrister at Blackstone Chambers; and Iain Taker, Legal Director at Watford FC.In this episode, Nick and his guests discuss what life is really like as a sports lawyer. The panel explores the varied work that sports lawyers undertake, their favourite aspects of the job, and the paths each of them took to reach their current roles. They conclude by sharing their top tips for anyone aspiring to work in sports law.

The Sports Law Podcast returns! Join Nick De Marco KC as he presents recorded highlights from the 2025 Blackstone Chambers Competition in Sport Law Conference. Recorded at The Royal Society of Arts (RSA), this session featured Blackstone barristers Adam Lewis KC, James Segan KC, Ava Mayer, Ravi Mehta, Tom Coates, Tom Mountford along with Nick De Marco KC. During this session, the panel discussed where competition law in sport stands after a spate of important decisions before domestic arbitral and disciplinary Tribunals and in the EU courts, before considering where we may be heading including by reference to object infringements and justification, fora and the interplay between competition law and restraint of trade post Brexit.To access the PowerPoint slides used at the seminar, please head to the Sports Law Podcast landing page on the Blackstone Chambers website and navigate to episode 14.

In episode 13 of the Sports Law Podcast, Nick De Marco KC is joined by 4 expert guests to explore 4 recent highly significant Competition Law cases in the world of sport. Ravi Mehta, a prominent junior barrister from Blackstone Chambers with a strong competition law and sport practice, kicks off the podcast by sharing his insights on the European Super League case.Professor Okeoghene Odudu, a Director of the Centre for European Legal Studies and lecturer in Competition Law at Cambridge University, delves into the Football Agents case in England against the FA and FIFA.Natasha Simonsen, another leading junior barrister from Blackstone Chambers with a busy competition law practice, provides insights into the Royal Antwerp Case.Kieron Beal KC, a leading silk in competition law and sport from Blackstone Chambers discusses the International Skating Union case.The episode concludes with a riveting open discussion on some general competition law in sport issues.

Welcome to the twelfth episode of the Sports Law Podcast and our second recording at Wembley Stadium Campus. This episode is presented in collaboration with University Campus of Football Business (UCFB), its Global Institute of Sport (GIS), The Amsterdam Institute (AIAS), and the European Football Agents Association.Join Nick De Marco KC as he moderates a further insightful discussion on the regulation of football agents and the practical considerations of FIFA's Agents Regulations in “An Industry on Fire: The search for effective agent regulation in the international transfer business”. The expert panel of international lawyers and agents comprises:Jan van Baal, Owner of JB SportsFahri Ecvet, COO at Global Football, Boxing and Rugby, WassermanRaffaele Rigitano, Vice President of AIACSBruno Satin, President of B&S Partners Football Consulting; Board member, EFAAKelly Skeggs, COO and General Counsel at OmniSports

Join Nick De Marco KC in a discussion on ‘Discrimination and Diversity in Sport’.Welcome our expert panel as they discuss tackling discrimination, achieving gender equality, and building an atmosphere of inclusivity in sport from grassroots to elite levels.Expert panel comprises: Jane Purdon is the director of Women in Football, Chair of the Professional Game Academy Audit Company and a newly-appointed member of Premiership Rugby’s Sporting Commission. She has recently authored The Homecoming: The Lionesses and Beyond. Sanjay Bhandari is Chair of Kick it Out, football’s equality and inclusion charity. In this role, he is a frequent public commentator and recognised thought leader on issues related to discrimination and equality.Tom Mountford is a barrister at Blackstone Chambers, ranked as one of the leading junior barristers in human rights. He also successful practises across a range of areas, including commercial litigation and employment.  

Join Nick De Marco KC in a discussion on Sport and the Metaverse.Join Blackstone Chambers’ Nick De Marco KC, and our esteemed guests, where they venture into the captivating realm of 'Sport and the Metaverse'. In this episode, they’ll unravel the legal complexities that arise from these pioneering technological advancements, providing invaluable insights into the intersection of sports and the digital world. This promises to be an enlightening discussion. Our expert panel comprises:Eitan Jankelewitz is an accomplished legal professional and the head of the Data department at Sheridans. With a focus on crypto, privacy, technology, and advertising, Eitan has established himself as a leading expert in these fields. Eitan's gained recognition early on when the Wall Street Journal featured him as 'Britain's Bitcoin Barrister' in 2014. His expertise in cryptocurrencies has been invaluable to clients seeking guidance in this rapidly evolving landscape. His areas of specialization include software licensing, supply of digital services, software as a service (SaaS), software development, online advertising, video games, cryptocurrency and blockchain, data protection, and e-privacy. Tom Grogan is an accomplished professional leading the Blockchain Group at Mishcon de Reya and serving as the CEO of MDRxTech, the technology consultancy within the Mishcon de Reya Group. With a background as a lawyer specializing in emerging technologies, particularly in the realm of sports, Tom has evolved into a seasoned expert in designing and developing software and technology strategies for major enterprises. As CEO of MDRxTech, Tom spearheads the organization's technological initiatives, leveraging his deep understanding of a broad range of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, and other distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). James King serves as the General Counsel at the Professional Footballers Association (PFA). In this influential role, he tackles a diverse range of legal matters that impact professional football players, encompassing the breadth of legal issues within the football industry. With his wealth of experience and insight, James King contributes invaluable expertise to the PFA, ensuring the protection and representation of professional football players' legal rights and interests. Before joining the PFA, James held the position of Senior Legal Counsel for Football Operations at Arsenal FC and Employment Department and Sports Group at Mishcon de Reya.

Streaming now, the latest episode of Blackstone Chambers' The Sports Law Podcast with host, Nick De Marco KC, on Disciplinary Proceedings in Sport.Join panellists as they dive into explaining what disciplinary proceedings are and how they differ from other legal proceedings, tips for preparing for a sports’ disciplinary proceedings, and what important developments we can expect to see in the future.Our expert panel comprises:Catherine Beloff, is the Director of Legal, Governance and Business Partners at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). Previously, in private practice, she was a senior member of DLA's Global Sports. Media and Entertainment Team. Catherine is also the Chair of the British Association for Sport and the Law (BASL)Geoff Cunningham is Head of Legal (Regulatory) at the Football League (or EFL). Before joining the EFL, Geoff was in private practice acting on many big sports disciplinary cases.Alistair McHenry, is the Head of Sport at Tyr.Law where he acts for governing bodies, clubs, players and athletes across regulatory, contractual, financial, disciplinary and selection issues. He is also a Sport Resolutions Arbitrator and a Director of BASL.James Segan KC is a leading silk at Blackstone Chambers. He acts in sports law matters both commercial and regulatory. James is often instructed in disciplinary hearings and has appeared for a number of different governing bodies including in football, rugby union, cricket and horse racing. He is recognised as a leading practitioner in the field by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and Who's Who Legal. He is co-editor of "Challenging Sports Governing Bodies", a contributor to "sport: Law and Practice" and to "Football and the Law".