IMR is partnering Sports Law & Business 2010 to coincide with the launch of a new report on sponsorship law which is planned for the end of April.

Sports Law & Business 2010, which takes place on April 28/29 in London at the Sofitel St James Hotel, will focus on the key commercial and regulatory issues facing those advising on and involved in sport.

In these times of financial downturn, governing bodies, clubs, teams and brands need to examine the way that they protect and leverage media rights and sponsorship in order to remain attractive in an increasingly competitive sports market. On the regulatory/governance side, sport also has to address such issues as cheating and drug abuse if it is to maintain credibility.

The event will cover a wide range of legal issues currently facing the sports industry. They include:

• Broadcasting rights: how to maximise the value of television and new media sports rights, and the impact of the review of listed events
• Celebrity endorsement contracts in light of the Tiger Woods revelations
• How to protect sports rights in the face of increasing levels of piracy
• The latest hot topics in the governance of sport, including cheating, discipline and anti-doping
• Key sports disputes and how well they are dealt with

Keynote speakers include:

- Nick Bitel, Chief Executive of the London Marathon
- Darren Bailey, Director of Governance and Regulation at The FA
- Richard Verow, Head of Legal, Sky Sports
- Simon Drake, Head of Commercial Legal Services, UEFA
- Neil Bailey, Head of Business Affairs – Sport, ITV
- Brendan Knox-Peebles, Head Of Legal - BBC Sport, BBC
- Tim Payton, Director, Sports Communications Ltd
- Nic Coward, Chief Executive, British Horseracing Authority
- Sam Rush, Chief Operating Officer, WMG Europe
- Dalton Odendaal, Senior Sponsorship Lawyer, London 2012
- Patrick Stewart, Director of Legal & Business Affairs, Manchester United Limited
- Sara Sutcliffe, Director of Legal Services, British Olympic Association
- Alastair Ruxton, Lawyer, London 2012
- Alistair Maclean, Head of Legal Services, the FA
- Karena Vleck, Company Secretary & Legal Officer, RFU
- Nicholas Studler, Trademark Counsel, The Coca-Cola Co.
- Susan Ahern, Head of Legal Affairs, IRB
- David Becker, Head of Legal, International Cricket Council
- Oliver Codrington, Legal Affairs Manager, British Horseracing Authority
- Matthew Johnson, Head of Regulatory Legal Advice, The FA
- His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, Disciplinary Officer, RFU
- Andy Gray, Director of Regulatory & Legal Affairs, ASA/British Swimming
- David O’Reilly, Legal Counsel, Betfair

For more information see the event website: http://www.c5-online.com/sportslaw.htm
or phone +44 (0)20 7878 6888.

For more information on IMR's upcoming sponsorship law report, please contact IMR on +44 (0) 117 924 5549 or email: info@imrpublications.com