Whether your dreams of sporting glory lie on the field or behind the scenes, we’ll help you achieve your goals.
We are privileged to advise on a wide range of sports and major events, both in New Zealand and around the world. Our specialist partners are consistently recognised as leading sports lawyers by Chambers Asia-Pacific and other international directories and advise on all commercial issues, disputes, and integrity matters.
The history of our sports law practice involves almost all major sporting events in New Zealand since the World Rowing Championships in 2010, including the Rugby World Cup 2011, Cricket World Cup 2015, World Rally Championships, Volvo Ocean Races, World Masters Games 2017, The Lions Tour 2017, V8 Supercars Australia, ICC Women’s World Cup 2021, and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
We are also advisers to the AUT Millennium Institute (New Zealand’s national high performance training centre), and clients involved in rugby, netball, rugby league, triathlon, athletics, and a host of other Olympic and non-Olympic sports, both on and off the field.
Our partners understand the sports sector and have a breadth of experience that is invaluable to our clients.
Aaron Lloyd is widely respected for his sports law practice, frequently advising athletes and sports organisations on integrity risk management, disciplinary and employment issues. He sits as Judicial Officer for New Zealand Netball and New Zealand Rugby League, and represents players, teams, and officials in rugby union. He is also author of the New Zealand chapter of Sports Law Review.
A client appreciates his communication skills, stating: "He explained the scenarios clearly and in simple terms we could understand. He was easy to talk to about the legal issues and he made it seem like he had time for us.Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
Richard Wells is Chair of the Elite Selection Committee for Triathlon NZ and former Deputy Chair of the NZ Events Association (NZEA). He maintains a non-contentious practice, acting for clients on commercial contracting, broadcasting rights, governance and employment matters. A client comments:
"He’s passionate about his work and invested in doing the utmost for his clients and the job at hand. It is also hugely beneficial that he has supported sport across all sorts of different areas; this brings a real depth, breadth and currency to his knowledge." – Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022
Supporting Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) with its tax and legal requirements to successfully deliver the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ competition across New Zealand and Australia during July and August 2023. We are working collaboratively with MinterEllison’s Australian offices to ensure that all matters are addressed on a trans-Tasman basis. The tournament will be one of the largest and most significant sporting events New Zealand has ever hosted and will be the largest FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ ever, involving 32 teams from across the globe for the first time.
Working with leading sports organisations and professionals in New Zealand and Australia to develop comprehensive methodology for auditing and assessing integrity risk in the sporting environment, providing CEOs and Directors with the tools necessary to ensure effective integrity risk management in sport. This work covers a range of areas, including anti-doping, medical welfare (including concussion), gambling & match-fixing, financial integrity and on-field and off-field conduct.
Advising and representing a number of international rugby unions and teams in domestic competitions in New Zealand and overseas. In 2019 Aaron Lloyd travelled to Japan where he acted for the 10 ‘Tier-2’ nations (including the Pacific Islands and host-nation Japan), and longstanding client Argentina, before the World Cup judiciary and in relation to competition matters.
Representing viagogo AG, provider of the world’s largest secondary marketplace for event tickets, in High Court litigation taken by the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
Defending event managers Mayo & Calder in litigation arising from their role as whistle blowers in respect of Government funding to the 36th America’s Cup.
Advising on the terms of the media rights agreement with Amazon for the grant of exclusive rights to transmit and use audio visual coverage of the New Zealand Men’s and New Zealand Women’s International cricket matches played in New Zealand (or in any location where New Zealand is considered the home side) on multiple media platforms within India.
Assisting a New Zealand crown entity in their negotiations for the development and operation of a crowdfunding platform specifically for the sports sector.
Establishment of Mediation and Dispute Resolution Service for Sport and Recreation in New Zealand
Assisting Sport NZ in the RFP, contracting and negotiation of a new Sport and Recreation Complaints and Mediation Service (SRCMS) funded by Sport NZ and rolled out across New Zealand.
Advising TAB New Zealand on its international rights and broadcasting arrangements with key commercial partners, such as Tabcorp, to secure international rights and to commercialise New Zealand broadcast rights. Advising on the wagering arrangements that are supported by this coverage, delivering New Zealand’s race betting and sports betting systems which provide significant benefits to New Zealand racing and sports sectors.
