Started by identifying the knowledge and skills needed for participants to achieve their professional goals in the sports industry.
Then, they designed and developed the most direct curriculum and teaching materials to convey this knowledge and these skills.
Finally, they handpicked the most renowned academic professors and specialized leading experts with a proven track record of driving innovation and delivering effective results.
Presentation of the program, lecturers, methodology, learning objectives, supporting material and set up for success.
Overview of the current legal, economic and geopolitical framework of professional sport and its latest developments.
Answers to your questions and personalised support.
Where and when did professional sport begin? How was it spreading and organised (the "International Sport Movement")? What are the new trends? And - at the end of the day - what is "sport"?
A few figures and economic concepts to understand the global realities of professional sport.
Sport has always been a political phenomenon.
Understanding the "sports law" Landscape: Does "sports law" really exist? Are FIFA regulations real law? Is sport a private matter or an area partly controlled by the States? Can forced arbitration before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) be considered real justice?
The professional structure of football (clubs and national teams): clubs; local and then national federations; continental federations and FIFA; the fight to create national professional leagues and then international club associations; the fight by clubs to gain international self-management (from the "G-14" to the "European Super League"), players' unions (national and international) and their fight for collective bargaining.
Sports specificity viewed from an economist's perspective. The issue of “Competitive balance”: What is it? Is it indispensable?
Macroeconomic significance of the sports industry. Economic size of various sports clubs and leagues worldwide. Athlete earnings in various sports and settings. The (non-) usefulness of sports satelite accounts.
Impact studies vs cost-benefit studies. The effects of new stadia and large events on local economies. Tourism and trade effects of mega-events.
An introduction to the economic and regulatory structure used to achieve competitive balance and financial stability in the four major North American professional sport leagues and football in Europe.
Women sport competitions: an economic tiger in the making. Paralympics sports competitions: Is it (also) a business?
Financial sustainability. Why football clubs are not very profitable. Why this is less surprising and problematic than most observers think.
The Football Balance Sheet.
The Football Income Statement.
The Football Cash Flow Statement.
How to assess the financial performance and position of a football club using trend and ratio analysis.
How much is a football club worth?
Buying registrations. Amortisation. Contract extensions. Impairment. Obligations v options to buy. Academy profit centres. Player sales. Profit v cash flow. Imputed interest. Invoice discounting.
Breakeven models. Wage caps. Owner funding. Creative accounting: Related party transactions, 'Friendly' party transactions, acceleration/deceleration of transactions, manipulation of impairment.
Setting the scene and building an understanding of sport and geopolitical economy, using Trump’s Independence Day, Russia’s gas pipeline politics and English Premier League football as illustrations.
How globalisation, digitalisation and environmentalism have reshaped the world and their pervasive influence on the reordering of sport.
How a pivot from Global North to Global South arose, and how it has led to the emergence of a multipolar world of sport in which establishing and sustaining competitive advantage is of paramount importance.
How states across the world are engaged in the pursuit of power in and through sport, with specific reference made to the pursuit of legitimacy, soft power, diplomacy and nation branding.
With specific reference to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, an examination of how geographic, political and economic factors shape their engagement with sport.
With specific reference to Morocco and Rwanda, an examination of how geographic, political and economic factors shape their engagement with sport.
With specific reference to basketball, soccer and the Olympics, an examination of how geographic, political and economic factors shape its engagement with sport.
Examining the means through which to successfully navigate the complexities and sensitivities of sport today.
The fundamental freedoms. Some general principles of EU Law. Article 267 TFUE. Why EU law is also relevant to you even if you are not "EU".
The Walrave judgement. The Dona Mantero judgement.
The Bosman judgement. The Meca Medina judgement.
Example of comercial cases. Examples of regulatory cases. The FIA case: at the crossroad between commercial and regulatory cases.
What is the common ground among these three landmark CJEU cases?
What are the specific aspects of each judgement?
A new "Bosman". Or even more?
A judicial revolution?
A remaining core issue: who can control the "International Match Calendar" and how?
To what extent can sports regulators regulate the commercial activities of third parties?
The ECHR judgement in Mutu Pechstein. The ECHR judgement in Semenya. Other ECHR judgements on sports related issues.
The European Commission. The National Competition Authorities. The preliminary questions to the CJEU: from the national judge to the European High Court.
An EU "Court of Arbitration for Sport" (or just "for football"?). The new UEFA authorisation rules are still illegal. The new FIFA draft RSTP is still illegal. Towards a complete separation between the regulatory function and the commercial activities of sports federations. Collective Bargaining Agreements will be a "must".
A discussion of the application of antitrust and labor laws.
The function of salary caps, player drafts and contract restrictions.
Collective bargaining v. Antitrust.
Mechanics of negotiations.
Title IX Protections and Prohibitions.
Discussion of the historical and ongoing controversy surrounding paying college athletes.
In the US, football (soccer)—particularly Major League Soccer (MLS)—has developed its own specificities, inherited from the traditional American sports model, such as the closed-league system, franchise rights, centralized contracts, salary controls, and league-driven governance. What global football can (or should) take from it?
Size and growth of sports in the U.S. Competitive balance, revenue sharing, salary caps, player salaries, profitability, free agency, player entry drafts, territorial rights, free riding by teams on the league’s brand. Examples.
Teams, brand sponsorships, athlete endorsements. Methods of valuation: market, income, asset-based. Growth in team revenues, income, valuations. Examples.
Economic theory of sponsorship/partnerships/endorsements/licensing. Size of the market and growth. Risks and mitigation in sponsorship. More details on the valuation of sponsorships. Examples.
This is one form of the distribution of the product. Cost of facilities. Sources and methods of financing: private and public sources. Examples.
These are other forms of the distribution of the product. Changes in the media landscape – linear to digital, streaming, bundles. Economic drivers of media value. Media deals and antitrust issues. Ticketing – face value, variable pricing, dynamic pricing, monopoly control of ticket distribution (Ticketmaster?).
Monopoly leagues. Sanctioning bodies. Competition across sports. Barriers to entry. Anticompetitive actions and Procompetitive justifications. Collective bargaining.
Size and growth. Where the money comes from and goes. College athletes going from amateurs to professionals. Name, image, and likeness payments to athletes.
Historical and geopolitical background. Introduction to the very liberal regulatory framework governing associations in Switzerland. A very liberal law of the obligations: contractual freedom as a corner stone ("Pacta sunt servanda"). Direct Influence on some regulations of sports federations (RSTP: article 17,1).
Key “Ein-Platz” principle. Example, scope, effects.
Autonomy of sporting association (and its limits) in Switzerland. Distinction between the sporting rule stricto sensu (no state competence), the pure state rule (no sporting competence) and the sporting rule lato sensu (grey zone). No sporting exception in Switzerland. Presentation of some court decisions that contributed to develop sports law in Switzerland.
General principles, mandate, labour law.
State courts vs arbitration system, presentation of the Swiss “arbitration friendly” approach. Grounds for appeal to the Swiss Federal Court against international arbitral awards, according to the Swiss Private International Law Act, in particular notion of Swiss public policy. Procedural aspects. Examples of Swiss Federal Court decisions.
When the US Department of Justice applies criminal Law to FIFA. When the CJEU applies EU Law to FIFA. A special look at the CEHR Semenya judgement and to the CJEU RFC Seraing judgement: how could it effect the Swiss Federal Court control on sports related arbitration awards?
Basketball’s governance is shaped by NBA dominance and a FIBA–EuroLeague “cold war,” now challenged by the NBA–FIBA plan for a semi-closed European league that could transform the sport and test EU competition law.
How did the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) acquire and does retain monopoly and monopsony power over Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in a complex political, legal, regulatory, and financial context?
Professional road cycling is still organised today according to rules that have their roots in the origins of the sport. But big changes are afoot.
Padel participation worldwide has exploded, with Qatar’s state-backed investment reshaping its professional scene.
Rugby’s economy is dominated by federations and national teams but faces growing club power, exemplified by France’s booming TOP 14, setting the stage for fierce battles between clubs and federations where EU law and the Super League ruling may play a decisive role.
Global Champions League (GCL) and the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) v. Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI).
European handball clubs, long excluded from governance, gained influence through the Forum Club Handball’s cooperation with the EHF, while tensions with the IHF now culminate in a rare contested presidential election that could reshape the sport’s leadership.
The PTPA, founded by Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil, has launched legal actions in the US, UK, and EU accusing tennis’ governing bodies of anti-competitive practices that suppress earnings, restrict player freedom, and harm welfare, potentially leading to major structural changes or settlement.
The concept of public state law. A bit of history. Professional and amateur sport. Is state intervention in sport necessary? When and why? Initial reflections.
Examples and points of view.
Liberal. Interventionist. Third way. No clear distinction. Connected to the issues of autonomy, hierarchy, pyramid structure, "ordre public" (e.g., EU competition law), /non/influence and input from the stakeholders at the bottom (players, etc.).
Contractual relations are private, but there is a need and does exist the state intervention, at the national and international level (role of EU law, affecting global sport).
Doping (state interventions pro doping and against doping. Athletes' approach. Spectators' response and approach to doping. Example of how states let the sports governing bodies self-regulate within the framework of state public law.). Security at sporting events. Matchfixing. Actions on the field (outside of reach of criminal law) and around the field (within criminal law reach).
Within stadia. Outside the stadia. How to treat violence before and after the game "provoked" by the game – part of "sports law" or not, just a sociological phenomenon? Linked to educational and cultural issues – it starts with youth sport and grassroots sport / there is a link with professional sport.
Major sporting events as an exemption. What are the major sporting events? De facto applies to a limited number of sports – should the other be promoted as well?
Notion. Why are they collected? How can they be used and misused? Consent of the individuals, necessity, or a legitimate interest? Can sports governing bodies abuse their monopoly position?
Applicability of only general rules or also specific rules for sport associations? Are sports governing bodies regulated at all beyond the general rules on associations – different states' approaches, consequences of state policy towards sport. Judicial review of sports governing bodies' decisions.
No global administrative law. Seat of the international sporting federations – primarily Swiss law. Relationship with national sports governing bodies. International "ordre public". General principles may be applied as a requirement: transparency, accountability, independence, no conflict of interest, impartiality.
Are the relevant national laws and the FIFA rules compatible?
The way forward: the "European Social Dialogue" based on article 155 TFUE and on the ALBANY judgement.
Review of a real football player contract.
State laws. Some sport federations regulations.
The new reality after "DIARRA" and "SERAING".
The material rules. The procedural rules. The FIFA "Transfer Matching System"(TMS). Homologation of contracts and qualification of players. Specific rules regarding coaches.
A free business activity under EU law or a business subject to national laws and football federations rules?
The legal framework. The activity in application of the national and international legislative and regulatory system.
NBA - NFL.
Review of a real representation agreement between a sports agent and a player.
A multi-tasking job. Practical data and information. Career management assistance and advice. Personal experience.
Is a sport's lawyer more than a lawyer?
Contract law, corporate law, Intellectual property, sports law.
Agent's contract, licencing contract, sponsorship agreements.
How to be a lawyer in the complex entourage of an athlete?
From the original “UEFA Financial Fair Play rules” to the current “UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations”.
Special focus on England and the implementation of the statutory financial regulator of football — one of the most interesting developments in global sports law, with a number of features that are relevant for other jurisdictions.
Are cost control mechanisms justified from an economic perspective? What are the main numbers?
Why can cost control regulations infringe competition law? The way out: the CJEU judgement in ALBANY.
Scope of the FIFA/UEFA disciplinary rules. Decision making bodies. FIFA/UEFA disciplinary rules and the CJEU judgement in ESL.
Cycling. Rugby. Motor sports.
A strong example of a Private/Public joint venture.
Specific procedural rules.
History. Some numbers. Landmark arbitration awards.
CJEU judgement in ISU. CJEU judgement in RFC Seraing. What’s next?
Towards an EU "Court of Arbitration for Sport" (or - at least - "for football"?) compatible with article 47 CFREU.
The lawyer's practical experience and advices.
An introduction to the various collective redress schemes available for claimants in Europe.
An overview of the possible collective actions in the area of sports in Europe and comparison with precedents in the U.S.
The role of litigation funders in collective actions and how they interact with claimants, lawyers and other players.
Sport federations. Leagues. Clubs. Players and athletes. Others.
Implications of the CJEU judgement in ESL.
Defense of intellectual property rights: image rights (individual and collective, exemplified with real contracts), trademarks, copyrights, player data (who is the owner?).
Media rights, ticketing, naming rights, sponsoring, partnerships …
National laws/sports regulators rules/EU Law (TICOMBO).
Sports becoming a coveted asset class. Sports a high-growth sector undergoing rapid transformation.
Landscape in Europe is distinct from that in the US. Leading to notably diverse valuations.
Market opportunity is rapidly attracting insitutional capital. Types of instiutional investors.
Ways to approach investing in sports:
1. Equity vs. Debt Transactions
2. Direct vs. Indirect investments
3. Case Studies
Strategies of (i) Top-tier acqusitions; (ii) development clubs; (iii) Multi-Club Ownerships. Practical case studies.
Consolidation vs. Fragmentation in Ownership. Multi-Club Ownership governance. Growth of women's football.
Classic, individual or collective contracts; or ad hoc contracts.
Particularly in the event of cancellation of an event, with regard to partners and ticket buyers.
Personal medical coverage, work accident coverage, federation-driven coverage (assistance to members - clubs or athletes - regarding their accident reports to the insurance companies and follow-up).
Allowing athletes to build up “forced” savings.
How to protect the right to litigate?
Governance models and strategic planning in football.
Case Study: What Makes German Clubs Unique?
Revenue streams: matchday, media rights, sponsorships, merchandising and transfers.
Case Study: Rethinking Revenue – Why Clubs Need Innovation.
Squad building, performance analysis, coaching & youth academies.
Case Study: Competitiveness vs. Financial Sustainability.
Brand management, fan engagement, media relations, sponsorship activation.
Case Study: The True Power of a Football Brand.
Managing fans, local community, regulators & institutional partners.
Case Study: Embedding Participation in Club Strategy.
Fortuna for Everyone: redefining a club’s role through a socially driven business model.
Inside the Job: a brief look into the week of a Football CEO.
Mastering the process: how to design, submit, and win competitive bids for major sporting events.
Building a robust organisational model that aligns all key stakeholders behind a unified vision.
Navigating the layers of local, regional, and national governance to ensure coordination and compliance.
Protecting event integrity and commercial value by anticipating and countering unauthorised marketing activities.
Fan interest is fading. Need for a more club-driven governance. Need for strict cost control measures (State clubs). Or is it just about rich clubs willing to become richer?
The main findings of the CJEU judgement with a view to the future of football competitions.
Possible consequences of the ESL judgement for other sports.
Do the main stakeholders have different visions? Is it legally, economically, and politically possible to find a balance between their diverging interests?
A professional athlete career seen from a legal, economic and geopolitic perspective: personal experience of some elite players and athletes.
The autonomy of sports. Global attempts to constrain that autonomy. EU as a sports regulator.
Why should the EU regulate sports? What can be done? How can it be done?
Formulating a European vision of sport based on existing EU law and policy.
Talking substance: what measures can the EU take to promote good governance, social responsibility, human rights, and athlete welfare in sports? How would the rules be enforced? And what about the “Brussels Effect”?
A player and his club;
A player and his agent;
A player and his main sponsor;
A club and its sponsors;
A sports organisation and a participant to its competition;
A sports organisation and an athlete participating in its competition.
Sports Law Firms;
Job Portals, Recruitment Agencies and Headhunters in the Sports Industry.
Sports Law Associations;
Sports Law Journals, Reviews & Research Centers;
Sports Economics Associations;
Sports Economics Journals, Reviews & Research Centers;
Sports, Politics, Geopolitics & Sociology Resources.
Debrief of key topics.
Examples and feedback of important concepts.
Answers to your questions and personalised support.
Debrief of key topics.
Examples and feedback of important concepts.
Answers to your questions and personalised support.
Debrief of key topics.
Examples and feedback of important concepts.
Answers to your questions and personalised support.
What are the next big things in sports law and economy.
A few tips to make your own mark in the sports industry.
