Sport & Commercial Law - Annual Review 2025/26

Welcome to the Commercial Law chapter of LawInSport’s Annual Review 2025/26.  This year’s chapter focuses on developments across the following four themes:

• Unbundling of women’s sports entities: Continuing last year’s consideration of this topic, we will examine the continuing trend for unbundling women’s sports entities from men’s teams, the appetite for investment and the impact of recent Premier League regulatory changes.
  
  
• League structuring and strategic investment: Here, we will discuss the intersection between developments in private investment in sport and the growing adoption of franchise models leagues, especially through the lens of nascent and early-stage leagues.
  
  
• Broadcasting and media: This section will discuss how over-the-top streaming services have continued to reposition the traditional linear sports broadcasting model, with major deals such as Formula 1’s exclusive partnership with Apple in the USA, Netflix’s acquisition of live MLB rights, and Paramount’s securing of UEFA Champions League games in the UK of particular note.
  
  
• Gambling: Last year saw new regulatory changes in the gambling industry, including the incoming ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorships in the Premier League, increased duties on online gambling, and scrutiny of white label arrangements. We will discuss the potential of these to disrupt the financial and operational landscape for gambling sponsors and clubs, forcing both to adapt to new legal and commercial realities.

Chapter Sections

• Unbundling of women’s sports entities
• League structuring and strategic investment
• Broadcasting and media
• Gambling