Diploma in Sports Law

Programme structure and approach to learning

This diploma will provide participants with an insight into the dynamic area of sports law, both domestically and internationally. Modules will address practical issues which practitioners from the smallest to the largest firms can advise on. The course begins with a look at the regulation and governance of the sport sector and identifies and discusses the sporting governing bodies. It outlines how to set up a club and reviews the rules that need to be followed.

Modules

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Governance and regulation

• Sporting bodies,
• Organisational structure; setting up a club,
• Rules and regulations,
• Taxation of sports organisations,
• Funding and grant applications; lottery licences,
• EU law and sport.

Module 2: Commercialisation of sport

• Sponsorship agreements,
• Ambush marketing,
• Broadcasting,
• Ticketing,
• Merchandising.

Module 3: Membership

• Player and management liability,
• Protection of players,
• Club policies and procedures,
• Social media policies,
• Equality and discrimination,
• Child protection,
• Data protection.

Module 4: Player rights

• IP and media rights,
• Image and player rights,
• Player contracts and rights protection.

Module 5: Key issues in sport

• Corruption in sport,
• Violence in sport,
• Concussion; second impact syndrome,
• Gambling and manipulation of sports,
• Sport and technology.

Module 6: Anti-doping

• Application of the WADA Code,
• Therapeutic use exemption,
• Testing and exemptions,
• Sanctions.

Module 7: Disciplinary procedures

• Disciplinary codes,
• Internal disciplinary procedures,
• On-field offences,
• Dispute resolution bodies,
• Arbitration in sport,
• Court of Arbitration for Sport,
• Suspensions and appeals,
• Challenging decisions.

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