The ultimate guide for graduates in choosing your ideal career in the sports law industry.
Sports stars are now household names and brands within their own rights. Because of this, legal representation for these athletes is now an industry on its own. There are families, earnings and brands that require protecting…
Agent
Agents now play a massive role in professional sport. From dealing with a player’s contract negotiation, through to finalising their new boot deal. Agents might concentrate on one client, or run their own business with a number of clients. Either way, every player has one.
Agent sports law degrees
BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Law
BA (Hons) International Football Business
MSc International Sport Management
MSc International Sport Management (Online)
Sports lawyer or solicitor
The job description for a sport specific lawyer is as broad as it is long. They can represent an athlete, a club, a governing body or a brand. They could even represent all of these all at once. A lawyer will sometimes act as an agent too, just to add to the workload. The lawyer will protect their client as well as advise. The job is well rewarded financially, but be prepared to put in the hard graft and long hours required to get there, then again once in position.
Sports lawyer or solicitor degrees
BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Law
BA (Hons) International Football Business
Barrister
Away from sports law, a barrister will advise clients on the law and how strong their case is for a courtroom. A barrister is an independent source of legal advice hired by solicitors to represent a case in court. As a barrister, you’ll be dedicated, passionate and strong-minded to stand up in a courtroom and fight the corner of your client. You’ll usually specialise in a specific area of law, so this could include sport, commercial, entertainment, criminal among others.
Barrister sports law degrees
BA (Hons) Sports Business & Sports Law
BA (Hons) International Football Business
Tax adviser
The job title might not be the most exciting but your knowledge of tax legislation to an athlete earning millions of pounds from different sources will make you very employable. You’ll have to stay on top of ever-changing tax laws and be able to communicate this and legislation to your client, but your advice and work will ensure they pay the correct tax and able to benefit from any exemptions.
