Sports

Our firm has extensive expertise in the sports sector, advising on regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, and dispute resolution under Greek Law 2725/1999 on professional and amateur sports and the international regulatory frameworks of organizations such as FIFA, UEFA, and FIBA. We provide legal counsel to sports clubs, federations, athletes, and sponsors, ensuring compliance with rules issued by the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF), Greek Ministry of Sports, and other governing bodies.

Our experience includes drafting and negotiating sponsorship agreements, player contracts, and broadcasting rights. We have also represented clients in disputes before sports arbitration bodies, including the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the HFF Dispute Resolution Chamber, as well as in anti-doping matters under the World Anti-Doping Code.

We provide tailored legal services to stakeholders across the sports industry, including drafting and negotiating contracts for players, coaches, and technical staff. Our expertise extends to sponsorship and endorsement agreements, ensuring compliance with intellectual property (IP) and advertising laws under Greek and EU frameworks.

We assist clients in navigating the legal requirements for sports facility development, including zoning, environmental compliance, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) under Greek Law 3389/2005. Our team also advises on governance issues for sports clubs, ensuring alignment with HFF regulations, financial fair play (FFP) rules, and Greek Law 4808/2021 on corporate governance.

We offer representation in regulatory and disciplinary matters, including transfer disputes, contract terminations, and doping allegations. Additionally, we assist with the acquisition and restructuring of sports clubs, addressing due diligence, financial compliance, and ownership rules.

Greece’s sports sector is undergoing transformation, driven by investments in sports infrastructure, increasing commercialization, and the adoption of digital technologies in fan engagement. Regulatory frameworks emphasize compliance with financial fair play, transparency in governance, and adherence to anti-corruption laws under Greek Law 4557/2018.

The government’s focus on promoting sports tourism and hosting international events has resulted in initiatives to upgrade stadiums, training facilities, and sports complexes. Compliance challenges include adherence to HFF regulations for club licensing, navigating EU competition laws for broadcasting rights, and ensuring conformity with environmental and accessibility standards for sports facilities.

Significant opportunities exist in the development of sports facilities through public-private partnerships, supported by government incentives under the Investment Incentives Law 4399/2016. The expansion of e-sports, digital ticketing platforms, and fan engagement technologies offers further investment potential.

The privatization of sports venues and the growing demand for corporate sponsorship in professional leagues create attractive opportunities for investors and brands. Additionally, Greece’s focus on promoting sports tourism, including marathons, sailing events, and football training camps, aligns with the broader goals of enhancing the country’s international profile in the sports industry.