Sports Law is a multidisciplinary field combining labor, contract, tax, intellectual property, and administrative law norms within a sports context. In Georgia, sport is not just a game — it is a growing business and part of state policy. Consequently, the activities of sports organizations, federations, and clubs require comprehensive legal support. This service covers not only specific contracts but also full corporate and regulatory support for the sports entity: from drafting statutes to relations with international federations. Sports law specialists ensure compliance with both Georgian legislation and the principles of Lex Sportiva (international sports law).
What Does the Sports Law Service Cover?
This is a broad-profile service that includes:
- Sports Governance: Drafting statutes, regulations, and codes of ethics for federations and clubs in accordance with international standards (FIFA, UEFA, IOC).
- Licensing and Certification: Legal assurance of the club licensing process for participation in national and international tournaments.
- Sponsorship and Marketing: Legal regulation of general sponsorship agreements, TV rights, and merchandising.
- Infrastructure Projects: Contracts for construction, lease, and management of stadiums and training bases.
- Event Management: Legal support for hosting sports events (security, ticketing, volunteers).
- Anti-Doping: Developing organizational policies and compliance with the WADA Code.
Real-World Situations When You Need This Service
Sports organizations face problems such as:
- Club Privatization: A municipal club is transferred to private ownership. Complex auditing and signing an agreement with the investor are required.
- Federation Elections: Federation presidential elections are often accompanied by disputes over delegate legitimacy. The lawyer ensures the transparency of the election process.
- Failure to Obtain License: A club faces exclusion from European tournaments due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) violations. Urgent restructuring and justification to UEFA are needed.
- Stadium Incident: Disorder occurred during a match. The club was held liable. The lawyer works to mitigate sanctions.
Georgian Legal Framework
The field is regulated by the "Law of Georgia on Sport", the "Law on Entrepreneurs" (for clubs), and the "Civil Code" (for federations - as non-profit entities). Additionally, the statutes and regulations of international organizations (IOC, FIFA, UEFA) are of utmost importance and are often mandatory for member federations. Sports disputes are frequently heard in specialized arbitrations (e.g., CAS in Lausanne), requiring specific procedural knowledge.
Process: How a Specialist Works
A sports law expert:
- Creates a System: Establishes the organization's legal structure.
- Manages Risks: Ensures compliance with changing regulations.
- Resolves Crises: Responds promptly to scandals and disputes.
Why Legal.ge?
Legal.ge brings together lawyers with experience at the highest levels of sports administration. Our platform will help your sports organization be well-structured, successful, and protected from legal risks.
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