Steve Bainbridge

Steve has extensive experience gained on a wide array of transactions underpinning the sports sector, from governance issues to athlete endorsement agreements, anti-ambush marketing strategies, player contracts, broadcasting, merchandising and licensing agreements, disciplinary issues and various sports-specific venue management arrangements. He regularly advises foreign law firms, individuals, corporate entities, governing bodies and institutions on matters spanning motorsports, horseracing, triathlons, MMA, cycling, golf, tennis, cricket, rugby and football, among others. With significant top-tier law firm experience in both North America and the Far East prior to moving to the Middle East, Steve spent a number of years at one of the largest law firms in Tokyo, representing clients on broadcasting rights and sponsorship contracts in connection with FIFA World Cups, X-Games, PGA tour sponsorships, videogame licensing and stadium naming rights deals.

Steve is a World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal member, a lecturer and advisor to numerous Sports Law LL.M. programmes. Prior to joining the firm, he developed the first specialised sports and events practice in the GCC at a regional firm and he was previously general counsel at Yas Marina Circuit, managing the central legal function of the iconic F1 circuit, overseeing all contracts from F1 rights through sponsorship, broadcasting and venue contracts, as well as managing litigation, supervising secondees and outside counsel, and advising the CEO and the Board on risk and strategy. Steve has been recognised in The Legal 500 (TMT), Chambers Global (Commercial) and Who’s Who Legal as a leader in Sports & Entertainment.

Steve has lectured at the University of Stirling, Waseda University, Beasley School of Law – Temple Law School (Japan Campus), St. John’s University School of Law (New York) and ISDE (Madrid), where he lectures annually for the International Sports Law LL.M. programme. He is a member of the Editorial Board of LawInSport.com and is an author of the UAE Chapter in the Sports Law Review and Egypt Sports Law in Getting the Deal Through. He routinely contributes articles and thought leadership pieces in print, radio and online media, as well as speaking on sports and events at numerous conferences and seminars both regionally and internationally (including annually as a member of the steering committee for the International Forum on Sports Law).