Sport
Experience
Sydney 2000 Olympic Stadium
We acted for the consortium selected to build and operate Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park, the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The project comprised negotiating and documenting the arrangements to build, own and operate the Stadium; construction documentation; debt financing; packaging stapled securities (comprising units in an infrastructure trust and shares in the operator) with Club membership rights and Olympic ticket entitlements; issuing prospectuses; and listing of securities. We provide ongoing advice about management and operational issues and we have been involved in drafting and negotiating various agreements relating to the Stadium including hiring, sponsorship, supply and other agreements.
Australian Rugby Union
We advise the Australian Rugby Union on various matters, including major litigation, television rights, hiring agreements, player contracts, sponsorship and licensing. We advised on the staging of the 1987 Rugby World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the transition of Rugby in Australia from an amateur to a professional sport, and the establishment of the SANZAR joint venture between the Australian, New Zealand and South African Rugby Unions. We most recently advised are currently advising the Australian Rugby Union in connection with the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
Freehills achieved a significant win in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in relation to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. An application under the Freedom of Information Act for access to highly sensitive commercial documents underpinning the financial arrangements for the 2006 Games was dismissed.
NSW TAB
We provide strategic corporate advice to the NSW TAB, one of Australia's leading gaming companies.
Seven Network and C7
We are acting for Seven Network in its dispute with Foxtel, News Limited, Telstra and Publishing and Broadcasting Limited arising from the acquisition of the rights to broadcast rugby league and Australian Rules football on pay TV. We also acted for Seven in arbitration proceedings in relation to access to the Foxtel Pay TV platform. This case has been described as one which 'could transform Australia's media landscape' … 'seeking an unprecedented overhaul of Australia's pay TV industry'.
Sky Channel
We advised Sky Channel Pty Ltd on its satellite services agreement with Optus, under which Optus provides Sky with transmission of its racing services to sites throughout Australia, through the use of transponders on the Optus Aurora B3 satellite platform. This was a substantial transaction for Sky in 2003-2004. We have also advised Sky Channel in relation to its broadcasting rights agreements.
2002 World Masters Games
We advised the organisers of the 2002 World Masters Games, to be held in Melbourne. Advice included structure of the organising company, its relationship with national and international sports federations, sponsorships, employment and other matters.
Sponsorship, marketing and commercial arrangements
Freehills has acted for numerous companies who were broadcasters, sponsors, supporters or licensees of, or suppliers to major events, including the Sydney Olympic Games. Our role has included drafting and negotiating complex agreements, and advising on dispute resolution, brand protection and ambush marketing issues. Our clients include Visa, Samsung, Reebok, Castrol, Looksmart, FreshFoods, AAMI, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Toyota.
Sydney 2000 Olympic Stadium
We acted for the consortium selected to build and operate Stadium Australia at Sydney Olympic Park, the main venue for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The project comprised negotiating and documenting the arrangements to build, own and operate the Stadium; construction documentation; debt financing; packaging stapled securities (comprising units in an infrastructure trust and shares in the operator) with Club membership rights and Olympic ticket entitlements; issuing prospectuses; and listing of securities. We provide ongoing advice about management and operational issues and we have been involved in drafting and negotiating various agreements relating to the Stadium including hiring, sponsorship, supply and other agreements.
Australian Rugby Union
We advise the Australian Rugby Union on various matters, including major litigation, television rights, hiring agreements, player contracts, sponsorship and licensing. We advised on the staging of the 1987 Rugby World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the transition of Rugby in Australia from an amateur to a professional sport, and the establishment of the SANZAR joint venture between the Australian, New Zealand and South African Rugby Unions. We most recently advised are currently advising the Australian Rugby Union in connection with the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
Freehills achieved a significant win in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in relation to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. An application under the Freedom of Information Act for access to highly sensitive commercial documents underpinning the financial arrangements for the 2006 Games was dismissed.
NSW TAB
We provide strategic corporate advice to the NSW TAB, one of Australia's leading gaming companies.
Seven Network and C7
We are acting for Seven Network in its dispute with Foxtel, News Limited, Telstra and Publishing and Broadcasting Limited arising from the acquisition of the rights to broadcast rugby league and Australian Rules football on pay TV. We also acted for Seven in arbitration proceedings in relation to access to the Foxtel Pay TV platform. This case has been described as one which 'could transform Australia's media landscape' … 'seeking an unprecedented overhaul of Australia's pay TV industry'.
Sky Channel
We advised Sky Channel Pty Ltd on its satellite services agreement with Optus, under which Optus provides Sky with transmission of its racing services to sites throughout Australia, through the use of transponders on the Optus Aurora B3 satellite platform. This was a substantial transaction for Sky in 2003-2004. We have also advised Sky Channel in relation to its broadcasting rights agreements.
2002 World Masters Games
We advised the organisers of the 2002 World Masters Games, to be held in Melbourne. Advice included structure of the organising company, its relationship with national and international sports federations, sponsorships, employment and other matters.
Sponsorship, marketing and commercial arrangements
Freehills has acted for numerous companies who were broadcasters, sponsors, supporters or licensees of, or suppliers to major events, including the Sydney Olympic Games. Our role has included drafting and negotiating complex agreements, and advising on dispute resolution, brand protection and ambush marketing issues. Our clients include Visa, Samsung, Reebok, Castrol, Looksmart, FreshFoods, AAMI, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Toyota.