As the Summer 2024 Olympics in Paris commences, the United States Olympic & Paralympics Committee (USOPC) is vigilant against unauthorized use of its trademarks. The USOPC filed a lawsuit against a U.S. beverage company, alleging the use of Olympic-related terms like “OLYMPIC” and “TEAM USA” without permission. These trademarks are vital for the USOPC’s funding efforts, and under the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, it holds exclusive rights to commercially exploit them in the U.S.
As the attention of the sporting world is poised to focus on the next edition of the Olympic Games in Paris, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken the opportunity to announce its partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
This partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC will be for 12 years, with the Olympic Esports Games anticipated to be held regularly during that time. The announcement to host these games in KSA comes at a time when KSA is also hosting the inaugural Esports World Cup, with this initial edition of the World Cup boasting a combined total prize pool of $60,000,000 – the largest in esports history.
This article considers the background to the IOC’s announcement (including its involvement with esports to date), as well as a look ahead to what we might expect from the initial Olympic Esports Games and the IOC’s decision to bring esports within the Olympic fold.
Having recently examined some of the legal issues that have overshadowed the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, in this article I will consider what could keep contentious/regulatory lawyers (and journalists) busy once the Games formally begin on 26 July 2024.
With ten days still to go before the Opening Ceremony, it is difficult to predict with any certainty what will happen during (or outside) the competition venues when thing get underway. However, as with any Olympiad, controversy is guaranteed and legal proceedings will be inevitable, including before specialist tribunals set up in Paris to resolve disputes arising during (and immediately prior to) the Games…
At Squire Patton Boggs, we pride ourselves on having a Sports and Entertainment team comprised of remarkable individuals, and today, we are thrilled to introduce Gabe Pennington, Corporate associate in our Manchester office, who will be Captaining the England Mixed Team at the Touch World Cup 2024, taking place 15-21 July in Nottingham, UK.
In his day job, Gabe advises on national and international transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, corporate reorganisations and restructuring, shareholder arrangements and general corporate advice, and in his spare time, Gabe balances his demanding legal career with his passion for sport.
But how does he manage to excel in both arenas? He shares his journey and tips for striking the perfect work-life balance. Read on to find out more.
The cloud of Covid-19 (which loomed so large over Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022) has thankfully dissipated, but the lead up to the 2024 Olympiad in Paris (the “Paris Games”) has nevertheless been punctuated by logistical and legal challenges.
Hosting the world’s largest multi-sport international event – attended by thousands of participants, support personnel, officials, media representatives and spectators – inevitably presents practical and operational complexities.[1]When you throw in the existing geo-political climate, medical/environmental considerations, social activism and the overarching quest for many athletes to reach the pinnacle of competition, it is inevitable that lawyers will be involved (to some degree).
In this article, I address some of the key legal talking points that have dominated the build-up to the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. In part 2, to follow, I will then consider the legal issues that might expect to arise once the Paris Games formally commence on 26 July 2024.
Former University of Florida (“UF”) recruit Jaden Rashada (“Rashada”) has filed a lawsuit against the University’s head football coach, Director of Player Engagement & NIL, boosters, and the company that partially funded an alleged failed NIL deal.
Rashada claims that the UF head football coach, amongst others, defrauded him out of millions of dollars in NIL money, asserting fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent misrepresentations, tortious interference with a business relationship or contract, aiding and abetting tortious interference, and vicarious liability.
Former Arsenal Manager, Arsène Wenger famously said “We have gone from a vertical society to a horizontal society where everybody has an opinion about every decision you make, and everybody has an opinion on the Internet straight away.”[1]
In 2024, Wenger’s words could not be more relatable. The internet has many wonderful features. It allows us to share, create, inspire, generate income, raise awareness, and meet new people. It has given us access to things that Wenger wouldn’t have even thought about when he made that statement but, in 2024, the internet and social media permits direct access to sports men and women that we do not know and may never meet. And it is that direct access, wrapped in a cloak of internet anonymity, coupled with the belief that there will be no consequence for what is said or done online that has led to a dramatic growth in online abuse over the past decade.
What does this look like in reality?
Remember the classic saying, if you haven’t got anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Well, it appears online, we are not all playing by the same set of rules.
Ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, instead of focusing on the beautiful game, the England squad have been briefed on the threat of online abuse. Police officers have reassured players that they will “take seriously” any abuse during the tournament. [2]
As we’re gearing up for an exciting summer of sport, the attention of many football fans will be drawn to the kick-off of the UEFA Euro 2024 Football Championships in Germany. Many businesses will be looking to take advantage of the hype and interest in the tournament, particularly if England can progress deep into the knockout stages, as many will hope they can.
In light of the advertising and marketing opportunities that the tournament presents, the Advertising Standards Authority (the ASA) has published guidance to remind marketers of key issues to consider in order to avoid breaching its advertising codes, namely: the broadcast advertising code (the BCAP Code), covering adverts shown via broadcast media; and the non-broadcast code (the CAP Code), covering adverts shown via any other media (together, the Advertising Codes).
In the spring of 2023, we reported from the US that women’s sports were on the rise. Just one year later, that incredible momentum not only shows no signs of stopping – similar to the growth we have reported in the UK. From the record-shattering viewership of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, to increasing opportunities for team sponsorships and greater prime-time media coverage, women’s sports have caught the attention of brands, companies, and fans around the world it’s climbing to new heights.
Squire Patton Boggs and Women in Sports Law were delighted to co-host a breakfast panel event in London on 9 May 2024, showcasing four esteemed women working in the sports industry. The panellists included Edwina Haddon (Senior Counsel, Chelsea Football Club), Janice Shardlow (Director of Governance, Commonwealth Games Federation), Julia Lowis (Senior Legal Counsel, International Tennis Integrity Agency) and Catherine Ure (Legal Counsel, Red Bull Racing).
The thought-provoking and lively discussion included:
What initially attracted each panellist to sports law, and how they ultimately made it into the profession and their current role
Tips and tricks for women seeking to move into and upwards in sports law
Career challenges they have faced and how these were overcome
Current role and their typical working day
The dynamics of working in a male-dominated industry
Our panellists highlighted their differing professional backgrounds and career routes, and explained how they overcame various challenges in order to achieve their career goals (both personal and external hurdles). They also highlighted some key skills for success, how perseverance and resilience are vital, and the importance of a strong and intentional professional network.
