How COVID-19 is impacting commercial sports contracts

With the coronavirus having a profound impact on world sport and its commercial revenue streams, we have spoken to leading sports lawyers, all of whom are members of LawInSport’s Editorial Board, to find out how contract negotiations are being approached and how contracts are being adapted to cater for the ‘new normal’ in their respective jurisdictions.

The responses provide an insight into the differences and similarities around the world and the main areas being affected.  The broad takeaway is that despite some confusion surrounding the application of force majeure clauses[1], the majority of disputes have been resolved amicably and contracts successfully modified where necessary, with parties prioritising the preservation of long-term relationships over short-term pain. New contracts meanwhile are being “corona-proofed” with explicit force majeure language, clear directions on what happens if future events are postponed or cancelled, and additional flexibility in related clauses.