This module provides an overview of the legal foundations of the professional sports environment in both national and international contexts. The focus is on the drafting and legal safeguarding of contracts, rights, and organizational structures, as well as compliance with relevant regulations. Topics include the fundamentals of sports law and legal sources, contract law in professional sports (e.g., transfer agreements), sports labor law, intellectual property and trademark law, media and exploitation rights, regulatory and association law, ownership structures including the 50+1 rule, compliance and ethics, data protection and personal rights, legal issues related to new technologies, competition and licensing regulations, as well as case studies and court rulings.
- Identify, contextualize, and explain key structures, legal sources, and regulatory mechanisms in sports law
- Analyze, evaluate, and apply typical contracts in professional sports
- Assess and apply aspects of IP, trademark, media, and exploitation law in sports contexts
- Critically reflect on competition, licensing, governance, compliance, and ethics structures in organized sports
- Analyze, evaluate, and ensure compliance with data protection, personal rights, and digitalization issues in sports
- Interpret relevant case law and case studies, systematically analyze legal situations, and derive practical conclusions
Dr. Hermann Schlindwein
Dr. Hermann Schlindwein is a Frankfurt-based lawyer specializing in sports law, corporate law, and M&A with over 30 years of experience advising sports federations, football clubs, and marketing agencies. He has been involved in more than 180 player transfers and worked with clients including DFL, IMG, Sportfive, FC Schalke 04, VfL Bochum, HSV and various national sports federations (e.g. table tennis, fencing, cycling). He is a former Managing Partner Germany at Ashurst, holds a doctorate in tax law from Heidelberg University and is the author of numerous publications on sports and corporate law.