There is so much money in sports today. Recently, globally beloved Cristiano Ronaldo made headlines when he completed a mouthwatering £175 million contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
Punters are also rushing to top bookmakers like Betway (accessible by Logging in Bet365 using a phone) for Messi to move to Saudi Arabia in a deal north of £ 200 million.
With so much money flowing into sports, athletes increasingly resort to sports lawyers to help them navigate the legal intricacies of signing contracts.
But what does it take to become a successful sports lawyer in India? First, let us start by digging into what sports law entails.
What is Sports Law?
Sports Law is a branch of law concerned with issues surrounding professional and amateur sports. It entails Criminal Law, Contractual Law, Intellectual Property Law, and alternate dispute law.
The Criminal aspect of sports law requires lawyers to deal with Anti-doping Regulations. Contractual laws concern issues with contracts and the like, while intellectual property law concerns trademarks, copyrights, or patents for players, teams, and sports franchises.
How to Become a Sports Lawyer in India?
A sports lawyer reads and understands the concepts of sports law and can represent clients legally when due.
The prerequisites for becoming a sports lawyer in different locations globally are because sports laws aren’t the same.
If you want to become one in India, you’ll need to understand the country’s sports laws whether or not you studied in the country.
The demand for becoming a sports lawyer in India isn’t very different from other Law disciplines. Enroll for a law course and complete the five years of integrated study.
Alternatively, you can study any law-related degree during your undergraduate days and attend a 3-year LLB degree after graduating.
After graduation as a lawyer, you’ll have to garner work experience to prepare you for becoming a sports lawyer. Getting a Diploma Post Graduate Degree in sports education is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to become a renowned sports lawyer in India.
Once sports management is part of your portfolio, you’ll attract the interest of top sports brands.
What are the Job Opportunities for Sports Lawyers in India?
The job opportunities for sports lawyers globally are pretty straightforward. The two most important are being a Professional Athlete Representative or Profesional Team Representative.
- Professional Athlete Representatives
Professional representatives are responsible for helping players write and interpret contracts. You’ll help them negotiate salaries and other contractual terms.
Therefore, you must vastly understand criminal and contractual law. Athlete representatives usually work with many clients at a time.
- Professional Sports Team Representatives
Professional sports team representatives, as their names imply, help professional teams handle their legal issues.
It’s broader and more demanding than being an athlete representative because you’re working with organizations.
There are other types of sports lawyers you can become in India, but they’re mostly an expansion of the two mentioned above. It’s all about understanding the demands of each type and deciding on the one you like.
What are Some Important Tips for Becoming a Successful Sports Lawyer in India?
Aside from graduating with a degree, some tips can enhance your success as a sports lawyer in India. Here are some of those tips.
- Have a Good Online Audience
Building a credible online audience is vital to becoming a qualified sports lawyer. Optimize your social media handle to represent your profession.
When you have a good online following, clients will know what you do and reach out to you if they like your portfolio. Some of the most popular social media platforms for lawyers in India include Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook.
- Gain Work Experience
Another essential skill is to ensure that you gain experience. You attract huge clients and command high pay with good experience because the best lawyers are usually the most experienced.
Internships with reputed sports agencies are the best way to gain experience because you’re simulating real-life working situations. Dedication and determination on your job will improve your skills daily and set you up for future success.
- Enjoy Sports
Being a sports lover is also fundamental if you want to pick up a career as a sports lawyer in India.
It means you are working and doing what you love, and it will make you more productive and efficient. Sometimes, you’ll need to watch your athletes’ games to help you in your job.
- Develop Excellent Communication Skills
Excellent communication skill is one of the core principles of becoming a sports lawyer, but you can get better if you learn.
Networking is all you do as a lawyer, and good speaking skills will make you get along well with your athletes, arbitrators, business owners, etc. Experience will naturally help you improve your communication skills as a lawyer.
How Much Do Sports Lawyers Earn In India?
The average salary for sports lawyers in India is in the same range as the general lawyer’s average. They earn around 464,00 Indian Rupees. However, the pay can rise to 2 million Rupees annually for highly skilled professionals.
Conclusion
India’s sports marketing is massive, and its importance to the citizens can’t be over-emphasized. The whole industry would tear apart by contractual conflicts without sports lawyers working tirelessly behind the scenes.
Becoming one of these professionals who are the backbone of the country’s sporting success isn’t an easy task. By understanding what you need to do and doing them correctly, you’re on track to becoming a qualified lawyer.