By Aamir S. Ibrahim
The Sports Lawyers Association Fall Symposium of 2025 brought leading legal and business voices to London for a focused discussion on how globalization is reshaping the structure and governance of sport. Held on November 6 at the offices of Ropes and Gray, the event explored the theme “The Globalization of Sports.” Two of the panels, discussed below, examined how political demands, commercial growth, cultural expectations, and regulatory systems shape the sports landscape across continents.
Panel I: Global Gameplans, Models of Sport in a Changing Landscape
Moderator: Neil Rigby, Partner, Weil
Speakers: Scott Bearby, Chie Legal Officer, National Collegiate Athletic Association; Clodagh Curran, Senior Vice President, Head of Legal, Rights and Content DAZN; Nick DeMarco, Barrister, Blackstone Chambers
Different Governance Models Create Distinct Legal Challenges
The first session opened with, Nick DeMarco explaining that European sport is built on a pyramid model led by international federations such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association and the Union of European Football Associations. National governing bodies sit beneath them, and open domestic leagues form the base. Promotion and relegation allow clubs to move between levels, and DeMarco noted that “the sense that any club can rise through the system is central to how fans understand the sport.” Scott Bearby contrasted this with the structure of the United States, where closed leagues favor competitive balance and financial predictability.
However, the panelist compared the European system to U.S. college athletics to discuss further legal complexity. Bearby stated that “every rule in the collegiate model is now examined for its commercial effect,” a shift driven by litigation and state laws. He emphasized that in NCAA v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Okla., 468 U.S. 85 (1984), the Supreme Court decision to place the National Collegiate Athletic Association under federal antitrust law continues to influence college sports.
Growing State Intervention in the United Kingdom and the United States
The discussion developed with DeMarco speaking on the Football Governance Act 2025, c. 21 (U.K.), stating that the act followed financial instability and the attempted creation of the European Super League. It grants a regulator the authority to license clubs, review financial practices, and protect important club identifiers such as stadium location. DeMarco explained that “this is the first meaningful involvement of the state in English football governance.” Bearby highlighted parallel developments in the United States. Several states created name, image and likeness policies that “allowed unrestricted transfers” and later criticized the consequences. This shifting legal landscape has made it more difficult for the National Collegiate Athletic Association to maintain consistent national rules.
It wasClodagh Curran who described new broadcast agreements that extend National Collegiate Athletic Association football and basketball, including March Madness, into international markets. She noted that “international audiences respond to the scale of college football and the personalities involved.” However, she stated that college sports will not develop in the same way in the United Kingdom because university athletics do not occupy a similar cultural position.
Balancing Open and Closed Models Within Expanding Markets
The Panelists eventually examined whether features of United States leagues could operate in Europe. DeMarco explained that closed leagues “would not find acceptance” in European football because fans expect promotion and relegation. Curran acknowledged that stronger financial sustainability rules could support parity while respecting existing traditions. Bearby added that colleges in the United States now choose conferences based on competitive and financial considerations, which creates movement similar to relegation without a formal system.
However, there was a consensus that women’s sports has become a major growth area. Curran observed that “authentic storytelling and strong scheduling decisions are driving meaningful engagement.” She cited the momentum created by the Lionesses’ success. Bearby noted that the National Collegiate Athletic Association has moved the Women’s Final Four to larger venues. DeMarco explained that strict licensing standards in the Women’s Super League help promote responsible long-term development.
Player Welfare and Data Concerns
To close out the discussion, Bearby described challenges related to gambling harassment directed at student athletes and explained that the National Collegiate Athletic Association monitors social media to support individuals who experience abuse. He also expressed concern regarding privacy issues involving wearable technology. DeMarco and Curran described similar pressures in European football, including congested match schedules that strain player health and investigations related to betting markets and player data.
Panel II: Power, Politics, and Play, The Winds of Change Reshaping Global Sports
Moderator: Blake Davidson, Executive Vice President, Pro Leagues, NGB’s and Clubs,
RealResponse
Speakers:
Curtis Franks, General Counsel, FIFA World Cup at FIFA;
James Hamilton, Director, Global Host Cities Sports + Entertainment, Turner and
Townsend International Limited;
Louise Savage, General Counsel – International LIV Golf;
Aarij Wasti, Partner, Entertainment & Sports Group, Gowling WLG
Mega-Events Now Serve Multiple Purposes
FIFA’s counsel, Curtis Franks opened the second panel by explaining that modern tournaments serve several objectives at once. “They are athletic showcases and commercial platforms, but they also support diplomatic, cultural, and national objectives.” He noted that nations increasingly use major events to influence global perception.
However, it wasJames Hamilton who described the operational challenges of large tournaments. He compared the centralized approach of Qatar in 2022 with the tri-national format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Hamilton stated that “execution often depends on front-line officials whose decisions affect immigration or transport flow.” He added that the 2030 World Cup will cover several continents and create even greater complexity. Franks explained that visa policies, customs rules, and local regulations can change during the planning process. He said that legal teams must “stay ahead of evolving regulations in several countries at once.”
Local Knowledge is Essential To Relationship Management
The conversation focused heavily on developing relationships, where Louise Savage described the need for local expertise when staging events in diverse jurisdictions. Each country brings unique legal requirements involving tax rules, sponsorship agreements, banking practices, and intellectual property matters. “Local partners who understand the environment are essential,” she said.
Aarij Wasti expanded on this point, explaining that “international events move fast, and the legal risks move just as quickly, which means the first task is to understand how the host country actually works, not just what the law says.” He emphasized that early engagement with local advisers reduces the likelihood of future conflict and supports compliance with cultural expectations.
Franks underlined that relationship management is often more important than legal authority. “A correct legal position may not resolve a conflict if a venue operator or local authority does not support the plan,” he said. Hamilton agreed that governance systems must remain flexible because event dates cannot shift. Davidson noted that strong alignment between stakeholders is crucial where multiple parties share responsibility for operations.
Legacy Planning and National Strategy Through Fandom Preservation From Technology
The speakers expanded on how nations use sport to advance long-term goals. Qatar’s expanded diplomatic role after the 2022 World Cup and Morocco’s infrastructure investment ahead of 2030 were presented as examples. The panel also discussed the strategy of the United States, which will host several major events between 2025 and 2031. Hamilton explained that countries increasingly treat legacy outcomes as central to their bidding strategies.
It was Davidson and Savage who closed the conversation by describing how technology and evolving fan preferences shape event delivery. Artificial intelligence supports integrity monitoring and operational risk analysis. Younger fans favor multiscreen viewing, highlight content, and interactive experiences. These trends raise legal questions related to data protection, rights management, and commercial structure.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the discussions at the 2025 Sports Lawyers Association Fall Symposium highlighted how rapidly global sport is evolving. Governance structures differ greatly between regions, yet commercial ambition, political influence, and international expansion are drawing them closer together. As sports continue to globalize, the central question becomes clear: how will the industry create legal and governance models capable of supporting growth across borders while protecting the integrity of competition? The early answers suggest that the most successful approaches will blend adaptability, cultural awareness, and long-term strategic planning, leaving much more for sports lawyers to explore in the years ahead.
Aamir S. Ibrahim is an attorney at Quan Law Group in Houston, Texas, where he advises on business immigration, global mobility, and legal matters involving athletes and sports organizations. His work is strengthened by prior experience in business law, including drafting commercial contracts and corporate agreements. A former track and field athlete at the University of Houston, Mr. Ibrahim brings a practical understanding of sport and professional development to his legal practice.
