Sports & Entertainment

Our Group

Miller Thomson’s sports industry practice group understands the sector’s multiplicity and recognizes a successful practice draws on more than just a familiarity with sports and the related legal principles. Our members have years of experience representing management, athletes and organizations in all areas of the sports industry, from local teams to national organizations and leagues.

We also have an impressive record of success in handling general and specialized issues for high profile clients within the sports industry, including involvement with major international championships, NHL salary arbitrations and international sports arbitration.

Our Expertise

As with every growing and evolving industry, the laws governing the sports industry are growing complex. Attention to potential liabilities, such as intellectual property rights and contracting disputes, is increasingly necessary. We recognize the diversity of each problem and work with clients on a case-by-case basis to assemble a customized team, offering a tailored approach to varying legal needs.

Drawing on the strengths of lawyers from our entertainment and media, corporate and commercial, intellectual property, labour and employment and tax practices, we can able to offer comprehensive solutions to everything from labour relations to venue construction and management.

Our Services

Our services and experience extend to a wide variety of sport-related issues and entities across Canada, including:

Sports Contracts

• Team, tournament, league and event contracting
• Event and tournament rules
• Manufacturing and specifications of sports equipment
• Standard player contracts
• Sponsorship contracts
• Promotion agreements
• Player sponsorships
• Television/radio rights

Intellectual Property

• Event, venue, player, and team naming rights
• Protection of trade-marks, copyrights and domain names
• Team branding
• Broadcasting

Venue & Event Management

• Naming rights for venues
• Building of venues
• Venue operating services
• Broadcasting rights and agreements
• Advertising of an event
• Television and radio contracts for media and athletes

E-Commerce & Internet

• Advertising and ticketing of events via the Web
• Placing event results on a Web-site / broadcasting or streaming of events
• Domain name dispute resolution

Workplace Relations

• Engagement of team members, coaches and trainers
• Workers compensation
• Human rights

Risk Management

• Venue liability and insurance
• Event liability and insurance
• Workers compensation and general health insurance for competitors

Disputes

• Disputes between players and teams, leagues, and international federations
• Doping and drug related disputes
• Suspensions of players and appearance at hearings concerning discipline
• Arbitrations

Business Structures

• Structure for each of the relevant league, the teams within the league and the players
• Governance of companies, societies, membership of teams, etc.
• Representation of players in the relevant company or society
• Cross-border issues
• Capitalization and funding/borrowing

Tax and Customs

• Tax deductions for donations to sporting teams and societies
• Taxation of sporting teams and societies
• Characterization of various payments to stakeholders
• Estate and tax planning for athletes

Immigration

• Athlete and coaching visas
• Athlete immigration

Real Estate

• Development of golf courses
• Development of buildings and other venues and facilities
• Leasing of venues
• Construction contracts