Athlete Sponsorship Deals are a primary source of income in modern sports. Unlike an employment contract with a club, a sponsorship deal is a commercial agreement between a brand and an athlete, where the athlete uses their fame and image to promote a product or service. In Georgia, successful athletes are increasingly becoming faces of both local and international brands. However, such deals contain legal minefields: breach of exclusivity with club sponsors, strict morality clauses, and mismanagement of intellectual property. Qualified legal assistance is essential for an athlete to maximize financial benefits while protecting their reputation and career freedom.
What Does the Athlete Sponsorship Deals Service Cover?
Our service covers all stages of a sponsorship deal:
- Personal Sponsorship Contracts: Preparing individual agreements with manufacturers of apparel, footwear (Boot Deal), nutritional supplements, or technology.
- Licensing Image Rights: Transferring the right to use the athlete's name, photo, signature, and voice for a specified period and conditions.
- Social Media Activities: Legal regulation of advertising campaigns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook (number of posts, content, hashtags).
- Conflict of Interest Management: Coordinating a personal sponsor with the general sponsors of the club or federation (e.g., if the club wears Adidas, but the athlete wants to collaborate with Nike).
- Structuring Bonuses: Including performance-based bonuses in the contract (e.g., in case of an Olympic medal or championship).
Real-World Situations When You Need This Service
Athletes often face the following legal problems:
- Apparel Conflict: A footballer signed a contract with Puma, but the national team wears Macron. The lawyer negotiates exceptions (e.g., freedom to choose boots).
- Contract Termination Due to Scandal: An athlete got involved in a scandal, and the sponsor wants to terminate the contract based on a "Morality Clause." Negotiation is needed to avoid penalties.
- Unpaid Fees: A company uses the athlete's photo on a billboard even after the contract has expired. The lawyer demands additional compensation.
- Restriction of Exclusivity: A sponsor forbids the athlete from advertising any other beverage, limiting their income. The lawyer narrows the scope of exclusivity.
Georgian Legal Framework
Sponsorship relations are regulated by the "Civil Code of Georgia" and the "Law on Copyright and Related Rights" (right to personal image). Also important is the "Law on Advertising", which prohibits advertising certain products (e.g., tobacco). Additionally, Rule 40 of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which restricts advertising by personal sponsors during the Olympic Games, must be considered.
Process: How a Specialist Works
A lawyer's work includes:
- Offer Analysis: Evaluating commercial terms against market standards.
- Checking Restrictions: Reviewing the club contract to ensure no terms are violated.
- Negotiation: Achieving the best conditions with the sponsor (e.g., free products + monetary compensation).
Why Legal.ge?
Legal.ge gives you access to lawyers with experience in sports marketing and law. We will help you transform your sporting success into stable financial income without legal risks.
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