INTRODUCTION Contributed by: Irwin A. Kishner, Daniel A. Etna and Maxim Nowak, Herrick, Feinstein LLP
Sports have long been a meeting point for law, busi - ness and culture, but in the past, sports law dealt primar - ily with contractual and ethical concerns. However, as sports have become more prominent on a global scale, with an ever-increasing flow of capital into this sector, sports law has also changed. Today, corporate govern - ance, capital markets, labour and employment, integrity and even criminal law can influence sports from the local start-up league to the largest global competitions. The Globalisation of Sports and Sports Law Over the past century, sports have become increas - ingly international. As a result, global legal systems concerning sports have grown more complicated. Clubs, leagues, competitions and governing bodies now work across borders, look for investment world - wide, hire people from many countries and connect with fans everywhere. Legal disputes often cross dif - ferent countries and legal systems. Arbitration groups, federations and integrity units sometimes co-operate with courts and regulators, but sometimes they are at odds. Governments also insert themselves more often when political and governance issues like labour rights, competition, taxes, public health or security are impacted. All these layers mean that public law, private rules and contracts must work symbiotically, but this does not always happen in the most efficient or effective manner. Capital and Ownership One key feature of sports law in 2026 is increasingly large and complex investments throughout industry. Wealthy individuals and private partnership groups are no longer the sole owners of professional sports organisations. Now, these entities attract equity investment from private equity, private credit, sover - eign wealth funds and other similar investor classes that often have goals and time horizons that differ from those of the legacy owner. This trend is happening across sports. European foot - ball, North American leagues, Asian teams, newer sports like pickleball and lacrosse, and even amateur college sports in the USA have all seen more inter - est from institutional investors. These investments have the potential to bring more money, professional management and new markets. Issues like owner -
ship restrictions, control, financial sustainability and conflicts of interest must be managed alongside the needs of the sports business. Regulators and federations have responded in diverse ways. Some leagues have strict rules about who can own teams and control media rights, while others are more open to encourage growth, regardless of inves - tor type. Financial fair play rules, licensing and sol - vency requirements are now key legal tools. They aim to keep competition fair and ensure teams last, while also considering what investors need. Athletes and Labour The athlete’s status is central to sports law. In 2026, this status is undergoing reassessment and transfor - mation in multiple jurisdictions. Athletes are no longer regarded solely as participants subject to fair play sporting regulations; they are also workers, brand- builders and, increasingly, rights-holders assert - ing their economic and legal interests, particularly because of the global proliferation of social media. At the same time, athletes regardless of level have more commercial opportunities. Endorsements, image rights, digital content and personal branding are espe - cially important. The rules and regulations governing these rights vary by region and sport, bringing both benefits and risks. Managing these interests remains a key part of sports law. Integrity, Ethics and the Rule of Law in Sports Integrity is still a core part of sport, but it is an area of growing pressure. Match-fixing, corruption, doping and abuse scandals are ongoing problems for sports lead - ers and regulators, especially as online and applica - tion-based gambling becomes more prevalent. Modern technology, including easily accessible real-time data and global betting, has made both cheating and catch - ing it more advanced. Notwithstanding the growth in legal sports betting, illegal gambling operations con - tinue to thrive despite ongoing enforcement efforts. Legal responses have adapted to these problems. Integrity units now collaborate with police, betting companies and international organisations around the world to monitor issues across sports and platforms. Disciplinary actions are watched more closely, with
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