DOHA: Al Tamimi and Company, the Middle East’s largest full service law firm with 13 offices across seven countries, has launched the region’s first dedicated sports law practice.
According to a PwC report, the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) market is currently ranked as the second largest sports market in the world, and is worth an estimated $44.8bn, which represents nearly a third of the global market.
Sport is considered a key growth market for Al Tamimi, as governments across the Gulf look to further diversify their economies and build on the success of major global sporting events, such as the Formula One races in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, Dubai World Cup and Qatar Masters.
For example, Qatar could potentially become the third Gulf country to host a Formula One race, and it will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, which is expected to cost as much as $220bn.
Based in Doha, the sports practice will service public and private sector clients across the region. It will be led by Steve Bainbridge, former General Counsel at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, which hosted a Formula One race recently.
The sports practice will be able to draw on Al Tamimi’s full range of legal services and expertise, including its construction and employment practices, whenever necessary.
Bainbridge, Regional Head of Sports at Al Tamimi, said: “The potential of the sports industry across the Middle East brings vast opportunities and challenges, and it will most certainly act as a catalyst for sustainable development. Al Tamimi’s new practice stands ready to support both public and private entities with all of their sports-specific legal requirements.”
He added: “The region already hosts successful Formula One races, as well as world class golf, tennis, swimming, horse racing, cricket, and rugby tournaments throughout the year. These events will combine with Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022, which will revolutionise the GCC’s sports industry, creating an even greater appetite for sport in the future.” THE PENINSULA
