DR MAJED GAROUB MAJED GAROUB LAW FIRM SPORT LAWYER

Access to the world of sports for lawyers was through coincidences according to the nature of the work. Introductions were through specialists in the field of media or propaganda, or labor cases and contracts.

Within the sporting community, there is a greater passion, enthusiasm, and fame, due to the importance and dangerous sportsmanship of sports media. Sports Media spotlights fans, fans of players, the game, the club, and, of course, the national teams. Consequently, a player’s request for his financial rights; a clubs or federation’s request for drafting a contract for sponsorship and media rights is of utmost importance.

Sports lawyers, as is the case with all sports leaders at the level of sports clubs or federations, find themselves facing a new socially influential reality. Having a place in society affecting the future of the game and the social impacts within the family, as well as the club and the fans.

The historical reality has changed with the existence of postgraduate studies in sports law that not only qualify with practice and experience, but also with the presence of lawyers specialized scientifically in sports.

A sports lawyer or a law firm known for sports affairs carries out many legal matters of a legislative and legal nature.

For example, they may deal with investments in businesses directly related to sports, by preparing sponsorship & investment contracts for sports commissions, federations, and clubs, as well as, the preparation of contracts for sports and entertainment events, sponsorship, broadcasting rights, exploitation of sports brands, and in the tourism, entertainment, culture, and media sector. Sports lawyers are needed for litigation services against FIFA and the CAS Court of Arbitration, and representation before the national judiciary in specialized courts and judicial committees. This includes commercial and labor cases, known to the nature of sports cases before the judicial committees of local sports federations or international sports federations.

Depending on the type of game, disputed before FIFA in regards to football or international sports arbitration in Lausanne before the CAS Arbitration Court, which provides all kinds of dispute resolutions in most various sports and games like equestrian and combat games.

I am a member of the International Society of Sports Law (IASL) and Chairman of the International Relations Committee, including my membership in the Sports Law Committee of the International Federation of Lawyers (UIA) and other international associations specializing in sports law.

Moreover, I got to know the most important sports lawyers in the world with their different specializations. Equestrian lawyers are different from football lawyers, water games differ from combat games and motorsports, lawyers are still different.

Specializations differ from the nature of games even within the same sector. There is an accuracy and importance of specialization. The main common factor that brings them together is the love of sport; passion, and enthusiasm for playing honest competition. This develops and motivates competition between players, teams, and national teams. Even Sports Lawyers are a part of the team. Rooting for their clients success.

Sports Management

-The fans are the basis of sport. They are members of the general assembly of clubs, supporters of the national sports federations, continental and international ones. The fans, as members of the General Assembly, are the ones that nominate and elect the president and members of the board of directors in clubs and federations at national and international levels.

-Saudi Sports, through Vision 2030 as described in the Quality of Life Program, organized the Saudi Cup on February 24 & 25, 2023. This year’s event is described as the most historical and expensive tournament by the Saudi Equestrian Federation thus far.

-In December 2023 the Kingdom will host the World Cup, one of the most major sports events. Hosting the most major events and tournament confirms the capabilities and great potential of the Kingdom to achieve a higher position on the sports map worldwide. Saudi is leading to becoming the global destination for sports events. The efforts and contributions of hosting the most important sports events enhances the quality of life and accomplishes the vision of 2030.

-This is complementary to Saudi Arabia hosting a number of continental and global championships such as the Saudi Super Cup.

All of the aforementioned does not represent less than 10% of what is required to be achieved and implemented in Saudi Arabia on an annual basis, amounting to 400 world championships in various games.

The Ministry of Sports operates under the leadership of a young Sports Minister, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Al Saud, who is the champion of Motorsports competitions, competing on circuits outside Saudi Arabia, and locally competing at Al-Reem International Circuit in Riyadh, as is the case for the Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Saud.

Therefore, we find great success worldwide towards Saudi performance in managing Formula (1), Formula (E), Dakar Rally, and the vision towards Motorsports in Saudi Arabia in a major comprehensive manner. This success is not limited to Motorsports but to most international hosting of various sports between Jeddah and Riyadh.

The establishment of 100 Sports Federations and the empowerment of women in sports, which is supported by the presence of women leaders in the Ministry of Sports and Sports Federations of personalities with a great social impact, led by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, the Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States, as is the case for a significant number of business and community women such as Dr. Maha Ahmed Al-Juffali.

Sports development is supported by the presence of a large number of prominent businessmen in the leadership of important sports federations led by:

1.Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al-Faisal, the Chairman of the Jockey Club, is the Chairman of the Equestrian High Commission.

2.Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, is the President of the Sports for All Federation.

Among the businessmen, Amr Zedan, appointed as the President of the Saudi Polo Federation, and the appointment of the Vice President, Fahad Abunayyan, is considered valuable evidence of the development of sports management within the framework of great and unlimited support from the Kingdom, led by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.