Sports

The WeirFoulds sports law team knows the rules of the game – from the playing surface to the boardroom. We understand that being successful in the sports arena requires preparation, tenacity, dedication, commitment, and proactive problem solving both on and off the field.

WeirFoulds provides comprehensive services to individual athletes, sports organizations, and owners and operators of sports facilities. We have a deep-rooted understanding of sports from both a competitive and business perspective.

Our practitioners’ experience has remarkable range, from a former eight-season professional National Lacrosse League player, to a certified CFL agent, to a sports league collective bargaining negotiator, to a director of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (“CCES”), to a member of the pro bono counsel for the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (“SDRCC”), to the volunteer general legal counsel to Toronto’s bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Sport Governance and Sports Infrastructure are particular strengths at WeirFoulds. Regarding Governance, we understand and implement appropriate governance solutions to systemic or specific issues. Regarding Infrastructure, our track record in impressive. For example, we acted for: the Ottawa Senators in the OMB hearing that granted planning approval for the new stadium; Oshawa in the design-build contract and construction of the General Motors centre; London in the structuring and documenting of the Public Private Partnership project for the John Labatt Centre (this financing won an award from The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships); and for Guelph in the development of the Sleeman Centre.

We understand sports systems – professional, international, Olympic, federal, provincial, municipal, local, university, college, high school, academies, private events, and local leagues – from national programs to house league, from paid athletes to weekend warriors.  We know the legalities, we are experienced in the various environments, and we understand stakeholders’ needs and values.