Legal Guide to Investment in J.League Clubs (Part 2) – Ensuring Long-Term Success

This is the second of a two-part legal guide for foreign investors considering acquisitions of J.League clubs. Part 1 (available here) explained the deal fundamentals: the J.League's opening to global investment, equity transaction mechanics, the league's tiered ownership approval process, multi-club ownership compliance at AFC and FIFA level, and governmental clearances under Japan's foreign direct investment and merger control frameworks.

Part 2 (below) explains the local practices, latent risks, and intellectual property considerations that are critical to a successful investment — examining sponsorship change-of-control dynamics, stadium management under the Designated Administrator System, foreign player tax residency risks, harassment and HR compliance exposure, and the IP landscape spanning copyright, trademarks, publicity rights, and data protection.

Contents

• Navigating Local Practices and Latent Risks
  • Sponsorship Agreements and “Change of Control”
  • Stadium Operation: Designated Administrator System
  • Foreign Player Contracts and Tax Residency Risks
  • Human Resources
• Intellectual Property Landscape in J.League
  • Copyright: League-Managed IP vs. Club-Owned IP
  • Trademarks: Modernized Category-Based Coverage
  • Publicity Rights: Recent Developments against Club’s Control
  • Data: Balance of Utilization and Protection
• Conclusion