14 - Competition Law in Sport

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".  

Welcome to this special episode in collaboration with University Campus of Football Business, the Global Institute of Sport, the University of Amsterdam (Institute of Labour Studies), and the European Football Agents Association at Wembley Stadium Campus. Join Nick De Marco KC as he moderates a riveting discussion about the regulation of football agents and practical considerations of FIFA's proposed Football Agent Regulations. This expert panel comprises: Jonathan Barnett, Executive Chairman, ICM Stellar Sports; President, The Football ForumFahri Ecvet, COO of Global Football, Boxing and Rugby at Wasserman; Board Member, AFABruno Satin, President of BS & Partners; Board Member, EFAA Mohamed Rezki, X07 Sports Management; President of Moroccan Agent Association

Nick, joined by colleagues from Blackstone Chambers, will discuss the mostimportant legal cases and developments in 2022, and what to look out for in2023. This episode explores the developments in sports law and a glimpse intothe many pathways of becoming a sports lawyer.Our expert panel comprises:Tom de la Mare KC, is a highly versatile lawyer whose practice straddles public law, competition, regulatory law and competition law. Tom has particular experience in sports dispute involving competition law as freedom of movement. Ravi Mehta, is a senior junior, who regularly acts for players, clubs and sporting bodies before a variety of tribunals, as well as for individuals facing and regulators bringing disciplinary charges. Ravi has advised individuals, clubs, commercial intermediaries and governing bodies on a range of issues including anti-doping, disciplinary procedures, broadcasting and sponsorship, eligibility for national and international competitions and the organization of or access to rival competitions.Celia Rooney, has extensive experience in the field of sports law, having advised and represented the Premier League, The FA, and a number of other sporting associations. She has been instructed in disputes involving various Premier League and Championship football clubs, and acts for sports governing bodies, clubs and athletes alike. 

In episode 6, Nick De Marco be talking to guests about what F1 lawyers do, some of the big legal issues in F1, how they became lawyers in elite motor sports and what hot topics to look out for in the future.Leading experts:Jeremy Stone, Director of Legal, Williams RacingTim Murnane, Group Legal Director, McLaren GroupOliver Rumsey, Legal Director at Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team

Listen to the latest episode of Blackstone Chambers' The Sports Law Podcast, ‘Financial Fair Play in Football’ with host Nick De Marco KC. Episode 5 will focus on one of the most important, often misunderstood and frequently controversial aspects of professional football, Financial Fair Play, or FFP as it has become known.Nick, joined by leading experts in the field, will discuss the history of FFP, how it was intended to operate compared to how it is working in practice, as well as what is likely to happen in the future. Following the discussion, guests will share personal journeys to the fascinating roles in sport, finance and law they now hold.Our expert panel comprises:Rebecca Caplehorn, Director of Football Administration and Governance, Tottenham Hotspurs FC.Kieran Maguire, Football Finance specialist, University of Liverpool Management School.Tom Murray, Sports solicitor at law firm Mishcon de Reya.Dan Jones, Football Finance & Governance specialist.