A major international lawyers conference takes place in Dublin this morning on the challenges emerging in the business of sports law.
The International Association of Young Lawyers will gather members from around the world to discuss how best to address growing fears over reputation damage caused by doping and match fixing as well as personal behaviour such as the cases involving NFL players that have blighted the current season across the US.
Among the subjects to be discussed are the disciplinary powers and limits of international governing bodies and the standards required for disciplinary hearings.
One of the keynote panel discussions will feature a strong Irish panel of Lisa Clancy from the GAA, Sarah O’Connor from the Federation of Irish Sport, Stephen Quinn from Atomic Sport and Rob Hartnett from Sport for Business. It will be chaired by one of the leaders behind the conference Niall Collins of Mason, Hayes and Curren who once represented Laois as a minor footballer.
We will look at areas including the relationship between sponsors and rights holders, the disruptive impact of social media and the challenges faced by sports organisations in maintaining a balance between real and virtual fans.
It promises to be a lively debate and we will bring together a highlights package on what emerges on Sport for Business later today.
