Overview
Sports clubs and esports teams need contracts accounting for this activity's special nature, from performance and transfer terms for players to broadcast and commercial sponsorship rights accompanying events.
The esports sector is seeing rapid growth in Saudi Arabia, and companies operating in it need commercial structuring accounting for the sector's relative youth and its continuously evolving regulations.
Regulatory Basis
Sports clubs fall under regulations issued by the relevant sports body, alongside general contract provisions in structuring player and sponsorship agreements.
How We Work With This Sector
We review the nature of the specific activity, sports club or esports team, to determine relevant regulations and structure appropriate contracts for it.
Who Needs This Service
A sports club that needs player and coach contracts drafted with clear performance and transfer terms.
An esports team negotiating a sponsorship or broadcast agreement that needs structuring that protects their commercial rights.
We notice that some new esports teams sign player contracts copied from traditional sports templates without adapting them to this different activity's nature, carrying injury or season clauses that don't apply the same way to an esports player, while their contracts actually need different terms around livestreaming and media appearance as a core obligation, not just physical athletic performance alone.
Additional Considerations
For broadcast rights accompanying matches and tournaments, this connects with our entertainment and media law service.
For player and coach contracts specifically, this connects with our employment contracts service.
Common Questions
Do player contracts differ from ordinary employment contracts?
Yes, they carry additional terms specific to performance, transfer, and commercial sponsorship, and we draft them aligned with local sports regulations alongside general provisions.
Do you review sponsorship agreements for esports events?
Yes, we help structure these agreements to protect broadcast and commercial sponsorship rights for the team or event.