Introduction
Competition Law in Sports has become one of the most significant and evolving areas of legal practice as the commercial landscape of the sports industry continues to expand. From franchise-based leagues and media rights to sponsorship agreements and governance frameworks, competition law plays a pivotal role in ensuring fair market practices within sport. Recognising the growing relevance of this specialised field, Offside Legal, through its flagship educational initiative Pitch & Precedent, is organising an insightful virtual session titled “Competition Law in Sports: From Leagues to Broadcasting Rights.” The session will be led by Prof. Lovely Dasgupta, Professor and Coordinator, Centre for Sports Law and Policy (CSLP), National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), one of India’s foremost experts in sports and competition law.
Why Competition Law in Sports Matters
The business of sport has transformed dramatically over the past two decades. Modern sporting events are no longer driven solely by athletic performance but also by commercial interests, including broadcasting agreements, sponsorships, digital streaming, merchandising, player transfers, and league operations. As investments in sports continue to grow, so do concerns relating to market dominance, anti-competitive practices, exclusive agreements, and barriers to market access.
Competition Law in Sports provides the legal framework that regulates these commercial relationships and ensures that governing bodies, leagues, clubs, broadcasters, and commercial stakeholders operate within the principles of fair competition. It addresses issues such as abuse of dominant position, restrictive agreements, monopolistic practices, and the balance between sporting autonomy and competitive markets. Understanding these principles has become increasingly important for legal professionals, policymakers, sports administrators, and businesses operating within the sports industry.
An Expert Perspective from Prof. Lovely Dasgupta
The upcoming edition of Pitch & Precedent brings together one of India’s leading academicians in sports and competition law. Prof. Lovely Dasgupta has made significant contributions to legal education and research in the areas of sports governance, competition regulation, and commercial aspects of the sports industry. Through this session, participants will gain valuable insights into the intersection of competition law and sport, examining how legal principles shape the functioning of modern sporting ecosystems.
Drawing upon academic expertise and practical developments, Prof. Dasgupta will explain how competition law impacts league structures, broadcasting rights, governance models, and commercial relationships. Participants can expect a nuanced discussion on how regulatory authorities and courts address issues relating to exclusivity, market access, and the exercise of market power by sports organisations.
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What Participants Will Learn
The webinar has been designed to provide a practical introduction to the competition law issues that arise within the sports industry. Participants will gain an understanding of the legal principles governing commercial sporting activities while exploring recent developments affecting sports governance and regulation.
Key Topics
- Introduction to competition law in the sporting ecosystem.
- League structures and their impact on market competition.
- Exclusive broadcasting and media rights.
- Abuse of dominant position by sports governing bodies.
- Competition issues affecting sports federations and leagues.
- Commercialisation of sport and regulatory oversight.
- Judicial developments and emerging legal trends.
- Career opportunities in Competition Law in Sports.
By examining these issues, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation of how competition law shapes the commercial and regulatory framework of modern sport while protecting the interests of consumers, athletes, clubs, broadcasters, and other stakeholders.
The session is designed for law students, advocates, academicians, sports professionals, researchers, policymakers, sports administrators, and anyone interested in the legal regulation of sport. Whether participants are pursuing a career in sports law, competition law, corporate law, or public policy, the programme will provide valuable insights into one of the most rapidly developing areas of legal practice.
As the sports industry becomes increasingly commercialised and globally interconnected, understanding the legal implications of competition law has become essential for professionals working across various sectors of sport.
Participants registering for the webinar will receive several exclusive benefits, including:
- Certificate of Participation.
- Access to the Offside Legal WhatsApp Community.
- Internship opportunities with Offside Legal.
Event Details
- Date: 12 July 2026
- Time: 1200 Hrs IST
- Mode: Virtual Session
- Registration: Register now HERE
With limited seats available, interested participants are encouraged to complete their registration at the earliest to secure their participation.
Exploring the Future of Competition Law in Sports
The rapid commercialisation of sport has made competition law an indispensable component of sports governance and business regulation. Questions surrounding exclusive broadcasting agreements, league monopolies, market access, and regulatory oversight continue to shape the future of professional sport across jurisdictions. Educational initiatives like Pitch & Precedent serve as an important platform for discussing these evolving legal challenges while connecting students and professionals with leading experts in the field.
For aspiring lawyers, sports professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the legal forces that operate beyond the playing field, this webinar offers an excellent opportunity to learn from Prof. Lovely Dasgupta. Through expert insights and engaging discussion, participants will develop a stronger understanding of Competition Law in Sports and its growing significance in shaping the governance, commercialisation, and future of the global sports industry.
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