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Sport and leisure
We're proud to work with some of the largest and most recognisable sport and leisure organisations in Australia.
Sport insights - September 2024
The latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry. This month: New gender equity targets for leadership positions in sport, and how privacy reforms may impact your organisation.
Sport insights - March 2023
Access the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry including developments related to transgender and DSD athletes, privacy, anti-siphoning laws and fan-token regulation.
Sport insights - February 2024
Access the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry.
Sports insights - April 2025
Bringing you the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry.
Sports insights - July 2025
Bringing you the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry.
Sport insights - July 2023
Access the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry including new inclusion guidelines for transgender athletes, rising risks associated with mis-classifying employees and contractors, and the introduction of Sport Integrity Australia's Safety in Sport Division.
Sport insights - May 2023
Access the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry including outcomes from the 2023-24 Federal Budget, the latest in data and privacy laws, and the implications of the crackdown on greenwashing.
Sport insights - April 2023
Access the latest legal news, information and insights impacting the sport and leisure industry including implications for sport event operators following a recent court decision, changes to the Fair Work Act, sport sustainability and transgender participation eligibility.
Sport insights - February 2025
Fixed term contracts, duty of care to child spectators, 'no fault or negligence' for Sinner, and more.
A gold-medal win for road safety
Cycling safety organisation, the Amy Gillett Foundation knows the sense of achievement that comes at the end of a long endurance event.
Don't risk it! Risk management checklist for carnivals, festivals and sporting events
Risk management is a critical part of any successful and smoothly run event.
Fair play: NFL class action alleges discrimination in hiring processes
A class action filed by a former NFL head coach against the sport's governing body and several of its teams has raised questions around institutionalised discrimination in the sport's hiring processes.
Sports and the new child safety laws
It is vitally important for sports bodies to be aware of the changes and the practical steps they can take to ensure compliance with Child Safe Standards and amendments to the Working with Children Check regime.
Government Responds to the Wood Review - Australia's Sports Integrity Arrangements
The Hon. Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Sport, yesterday released the Government Response to the Review of Australia's Sports Integrity Arrangements (also known as the Wood Review).
Looming changes to anti-siphoning laws expected to impact sports broadcasting
With the rapid rise of subscription streaming services and their recent foray into sports content, the role of Australia's historical anti-siphoning laws, which protect against broadcast rights for sporting events being siphoned off to pay TV, is under the microscope of the new Labor Government
How to manage health and safety at carnivals, festivals and sports events
Irrespective of whether you are hosting the next World Cup qualifier or a local league soccer match, as an event organiser you have a duty to manage workplace risks to health and safety by eliminating or minimising those risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Lander & Rogers advises FC32 on acquisition of Irish football club Cobh Ramblers
Lander & Rogers’ corporate transaction team recently advised FC32 in its strategic acquisition of Cobh Ramblers FC, a storied Irish football club known for its commitment to player development. This deal marks a pivotal step in FC32’s mission to build a global network of clubs focused on nurturing talent pipelines across men’s, women’s, and youth teams.
Sport Australia's first national sport plan: 'Sport 2030'
On 1 August 2018, the Minister for Sport, Bridget McKenzie, launched Sport Australia's (the Australian Sports Commission) first ever national sport plan, Sport 2030. The report speaks at a high level about the future and pathway of the Australian sporting landscape in order to deliver its key and ambitious goal of ensuring that 'we are the world's most active and healthy nation, known for our integrity and sporting success,' by 2030.
Mandatory quotas for female representation on boards of Victorian state sporting organisations - is your organisation prepared?
Victorian state sporting organisations will need to meet a minimum quota of 40% female representation on their board by 2019. This eBulletin outlines the requirements and what your organisation should be thinking about to ensure compliance with the requirements within the designated timeframe.
Review into integrity in Australian sport highlights serious threats and makes recommendations
In August 2017, Prime Minister Turnbull commissioned The Review of Australia’s Sports Integrity Arrangements, to be conducted by an independent panel led by the Honourable James Wood AO QC and supported by Mr David Howman CNZM and Mr Ray Murrihy (Wood Review). The Wood Review was commissioned in response to the growing global threat to the integrity of sport.
Landers' Lawyers recognised in Lawyers Weekly Awards
Lander & Rogers' lawyers Simon Merritt and Elly Blizzard have been recognised amongst Australia's top legal talent in the Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards held in Sydney last Friday.
Brand protection tips for carnivals, festivals and sports events
There are three key phases in developing the best strategy to protect an event: First, it is important to understand and define the event assets. Second, you should take steps to protect those assets and the rights that can be commercialised. Finally, the risks of exploitation should be managed to reduce the likelihood of it occurring, and to be prepared to respond if it occurs. In this short video, Amelia Lynch provides tips and hints for creating a strategy to protect an event.
Congratulations to our Rising Stars 2020
We are delighted to announce that two of our young lawyers have been selected for the Australasian Lawyer Rising Stars List 2020. Congratulations to Dean Balassis and Simon Merritt on the stellar achievement.
Distinguishing an employee from an independent contractor
Distinguishing between an employee and an independent contractor is often a complex and nuanced exercise, especially for sport organisations and teams that often engage staff and players on an ad hoc basis. Explore how evolving case law regarding the principal/contractor distinction may help or hinder sporting teams and governing bodies while setting out the key considerations in contracting with athletes in the future.
Lander & Rogers advises Wollemi Capital Group on its majority investment in the WNBL
Lander & Rogers' corporate transactions team has advised a syndicate led by family office Wollemi Capital Group on its acquisition of a majority interest in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), as part of a consortium with the National Basketball League (NBL).
Should you consider an alternative legal structure? - NSW Fair Trading has issued a policy setting a financial threshold for incorporated associations
Late last year, NSW Fair Trading implemented a policy that establishes a discretionary limit of $2 million for the annual income and total assets of incorporated associations registered in NSW. This policy has significant implications for State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) that are currently registered as incorporated associations in NSW and have annual income or total assets that either exceed or are close to $2 million. This eBulletin considers these implications and how NSW SSOs should consider transitioning to an alternative legal structure
Peggy O'Neal
Consultant
Related expertise: Finance and capital structuring , Regulatory and compliance, Sport and leisure
Lynden Albiston
Partner
Related expertise: Employment and workplace, Sport and leisure, Charities and not-for-profits
Five Finalists in Legal Awards
We are delighted to announce that five of our lawyers have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards. Tessa Kelman — Family Law Elly Blizzard — Health Law Joshua Butler — Mergers and Acquisitions Claire Walczak — Wellness Advocate Simon Merritt — Sports and Entertainment
Scott Traeger
Partner
Related expertise: Charities and not-for-profits, Defamation, Defamation and protection of reputation, Disputes and litigation , Government, Intellectual property , Regulatory and compliance, Reputational risk, Sport and leisure, Technology and digital
David Tink
Partner
Related expertise: Energy transition, ASX listings and initial public offerings, Employee incentive plans, Equity and capital markets, Finance and capital structuring , International, Mergers and acquisitions, Sport and leisure, Startups and scaleups
Derek Humphery-Smith
Partner & Head of International
Related expertise: Disputes and litigation , Employment and workplace, Government, International, International - Japan , Regulatory and compliance, Sport and leisure
David Morris
Partner & Practice Group Leader
Related expertise: ASX listings and initial public offerings, Finance and capital structuring , Employee incentive plans, Equity and capital markets, Insolvency and restructuring , International, Mergers and acquisitions, Regulatory and compliance, Restructures, Sport and leisure, Startups and scaleups