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Sports Law

Sports Law

We know Sports Law

Sports Law

We have a vast knowledge of dealing with all areas of the law as it pertains to sport. This experience has been gained over the last 25 years and where the Partners of Salerno Law have always had a keen personal interest in sport.

Over the years we have provided legal advice to clients including NRL teams, NRL players, professional soccer players, AFL players, professional golfers, NBL players, professional cricketers, professional jockeys, MMA fighters, professional rodeo riders and owners of various professional sport franchises.

Our team regularly provides legal advice to the owners and operators of sporting entities. This includes advice to investors and companies involved in the purchase and sale of sporting entities. Also providing advice in relation to employment, regulatory and insurance issues faced by sporting entities.

Salerno Law are the Human Element in Law and have considerable experience, and also a passion for, working with professional athletes to ensure that their business interests are promoted and protected both during the sporting career and after their career ends.

Cliff has a long history of being involved in sport and this includes playing semi-professional soccer in both Scotland and Australia. In addition, attending Edinburgh University on a golf scholarship. Cliff continues his passion for sport by sitting on various sport judiciary committees including Basketball Australia, Football Queensland and Gold Coast Rugby League.

We Can Help With

  • advising professional athletes and sporting clubs/entities as to matters pertaining to their intellectual property
  • assisting professional athletes in setting up companies and business ventures (such as fitness centres, hotels, coffee shops, labour hire, machinery hire, coaching clinics, apps and clothing brands)
  • advising professional athletes and sporting club/entities as to the legal remedies available following serious injuries suffered during sport (including career ending injuries and concussions)
  • advising professional athletes as to contractual matters
  • advising sporting clubs/entities as to insurance issues (including injuries to spectators and staff)
  • appearing before judiciary and disciplinary panels on behalf of both players and clubs
  • advising in relation to integrity/doping issues (including appearing before the Sports Integrity tribunal and also previously acting for and advising The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority)

Our Experience

Acting for a consortium of professional athletes who formed a business venture to develop property throughout Australia. Advising as to the best corporate vehicle to be utilised and thereafter assisting with the sale and development of the property.

Advising one of Australia’s most successful sporting teams as to the current insurance policies and coverage in place in relation to player injury (including concussion related injuries).

Appearing before a Sports Tribunal on behalf of a professional athlete who had received an initial disqualification of 7 years. The appeal was successful which resulted in the disqualification being removed.

Acting for a major clothing brand during their sponsorship of professional athletes both in Australia and overseas.

Our People

Cliff Savala

Managing Partner

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Litigation and dispute resolution

Litigation within the agribusiness sector refers to legal disputes and court actions that arise in connection with agricultural operations. These cases often require in-depth understanding of both the legal system and the unique regulatory landscape of agriculture. Our firm has extensive experience with the full gamut of legal disputes such as:

The key areas that we can assist with include:

  • Contractual Issues: Disagreements often arise from contracts involving supply chains, land leases, share farming, agistment arrangements, partnerships, joint ventures, and various other commercial agreements typical in the agricultural industry.
  • Land Access and Compensation: Conflicts may occur over access to land for activities like mining, gas exploration, or infrastructure development, often involving compensation claims for landowners.
  • Workplace Disputes: Litigation may stem from matters such as wrongful termination, employment agreement breaches, or occupational health and safety concerns on farms or in agribusiness operations.
  • Environmental and Biosecurity: Disputes may be triggered by non-compliance with environmental regulations, pollution events, water contamination, animal and plant health including pest and disease control measures or debates surrounding water usage and rights.
  • Intellectual Property Rights: Conflicts might arise over ownership or use of agricultural intellectual property such as plant variety rights, trademarks, and other proprietary innovations.
  • Farm Succession and Inheritance: Disputes over the division of farming assets, family trusts, or the interpretation of wills often lead to litigation in the context of generational farm transfers.

Rural property acquisitions and sales

The purchase or sale of rural land involves a broad spectrum of legal considerations that require careful attention. Key issues often include legal access to the property, the existence of easements, water rights and entitlements, land zoning regulations, potential land contamination, and the impact of native title, mining interests, and cultural heritage protections. It is also essential to assess the tax implications of the transaction, particularly in relation to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

Salerno Law has extensive experience navigating the complexities of rural property matters at local, national, and international levels. We provide comprehensive support throughout the entire transaction process—from initial due diligence and review of contractual documentation to stakeholder engagement and final settlement. Our goal is to ensure that every legal aspect is addressed thoroughly and efficiently, safeguarding your interests every step of the way.

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Acquisition and leveraged finance

Opportunities in a tightening market

Borrowers and lenders face increasing pressure as leveraged finance markets tighten in the face of higher interest rates, inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. To explore new opportunities at the outset of any deal, market participants require the support of experienced, detail-oriented advisers who understand the competitive and potentially complex nature of this sector.

Expert advisers with an innovative approach

Ashurst’s global leveraged finance team advises major financial institutions, private equity houses, alternative asset managers, mezzanine financiers and corporations. Leveraged finance is a core area of expertise for Ashurst. Our team has institutional knowledge across sponsors, credit funds and banks, which means we can streamline the process for you. We have experience in the full range of leveraged.