Media rights expert signs up with law firm

National law firm Shoosmiths has strengthened its multi-disciplinary sports team with the appointment of experienced media rights expert David Murray as a consultant, based in Manchester.

Murray brings more than 25 years’ expertise in the broadcast media and spent 14 years at the BBC where he was head of sports rights, negotiating deals with a host of world-leading sports rights holders including the International Olympics Committee, UEFA, FIFA, Premier League, Formula 1, Six Nations, and Wimbledon.

Four years ago he launched his own sports business consultancy, Fozmuz with his colleague Robert Foster.

Murray has concluded hundreds of media deals with the biggest sports federations, and also teaches negotiation at the University of Salford, and through his own company, the Better People Organisation.

Richard Millington, partner and head of sports, at Shoosmiths, said: “As an ambitious and innovative firm we are building a sports offering which is focused on bringing true industry insight to our clients. We do this through our prior in-house commercial experience with the likes of Nike, the Global Sporting Goods Trade Federation and multiple F1 teams.

“David’s wide range of rights and commercial experience fits perfectly into this ethos. He has an outstanding reputation and will be able to assist us on complex negotiations and major contractual issues.

“This will help us deliver a seamless service to clients across the legal and commercial spaces as well as offering market-leading insights on how to prioritise and approach technical detail, both in deals, regulatory and contentious sports issues.”

The Shoosmiths sports team already works with two of the top four English Premier League teams and has further clients across federations, sports brands and sports analytics businesses. It also works with corporates and investors on team and rights acquisitions.

Murray said: “I am thrilled to be working with Richard and his team. From the moment we met, it was clear we shared a similar philosophy on how advisors need to enhance client value. Combining our wider industry nous, I believe there is the potential to build something really special together.”

The Shoosmiths sports team already works with two of the top four English Premier League teams and has further clients across federations, sports brands and sports analytics businesses as well as working with corporates and investors on team and rights acquisitions. The team comprises 10 experts based across the firm’s offices nationwide.