Sport operates in a complex legal and regulatory environment.
Johnson Winter Slattery advises sporting organisations and industry participants on the legal, regulatory and commercial issues affecting professional sport in Australia and internationally. We are trusted on matters that are high‑profile, time‑critical and reputationally sensitive.
Our team understands that sports‑related legal issues require specialist expertise and a strategic approach. We advise across governance and constitutional reform, sponsorship and commercial arrangements, disputes, integrity and compliance, delivering practical solutions that protect our clients’ interests and support their commercial objectives.
Our services
We advise governing bodies, professional leagues, clubs and industry participants on all aspects of sports law, including:
- Governance, constitutional and integrity matters
- Regulatory, disciplinary and tribunal proceedings
- Sponsorship, media, events and commercial arrangements
- Player, coach and executive contracts
- Employment and industrial relations disputes
- Litigation, arbitration and injunctions
- Club acquisitions, investments and restructures
Work highlights
Professional football governance and tribunal matters
Governance, integrity and disciplinary work for AFL clubs including the West Coast Eagles and Carlton Football Club, and participants, including matters before AFL and AFLW tribunals, compliance with competition rules and regulations, and issues arising in highly scrutinised sporting environments.
Rugby Australia – rugby union club proceedings
Involvement in proceedings and related disputes concerning the Melbourne Rebels (a professional Australian rugby union club), including Federal Court matters raising complex issues of insolvency, governance and the relationship between a national governing body and a club.
National Basketball League
Complex issues involving professional basketball clubs, the Illawarra Hawks and South East Melbourne Phoenix and the National Basketball League, including Court and arbitration processes addressing governance and competition structures.
Thoroughbred racing – regulatory dispute
Regulatory dispute involving the Australian Turf Club and Racing NSW, including urgent Supreme Court proceedings concerning the attempted appointment of an administrator, raising significant governance and regulatory issues and attracting significant media and industry attention.
Sports acquisitions and investment
Work on the acquisition of a majority interest in the London Broncos Rugby League Football Club, including transaction structuring and regulatory considerations in a cross‑border sports investment context.
Employment and workplace relations in sport
Employment and industrial relations matters for sporting organisations and clubs, including contracts, disciplinary issues, employment claims, enterprise bargaining and executive exits in highly regulated sporting environments.