A Leicester lawyer has launched a sports management company that will help family members and trusted advisers act as agents for sportsmen and women.
Stuart Southall has set up S2 Sports Management, providing an 鈥榰mbrella service鈥 to individuals who want to act as agents 鈥 but without tying the advisor, or the sportsperson they represent into onerous and lengthy contracts.
Mr Southall is already managing partner of Leicester-based niche commercial law firm Southall Hathaway & Co LLP, and is an experienced litigator and accredited mediator as well as a sports lawyer.
Both he and the firm are approved FA intermediaries so he said he can represent players or clubs at every level, and help with transfers, contract negotiations and image rights agreements and assist with disputes when they arise.
He said agents and players can use his 鈥渢ransparent, fixed cost鈥 services whenever they need to.
Mr Southall said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e different because it鈥檚 non-contractual and undertaken on a case by case basis 鈥 and is all about returning control to the new advisor or player.
鈥淲orking with us also overcomes the issue of legitimacy, which is especially important when dealing with minors as clubs won鈥檛 deal with agents or representatives that aren鈥檛 FA licensed in some way.
鈥淯ltimately though, the players will sign with the person now acting as their agent and not with us - we simply provide the vehicle for them to do business and be in control of their sporting destinies - but our specific provision of care certainly enables both parties to be better off financially and able to look after their own affairs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about contractual matters however, as Southall Hathaway & Co LLP collectively provides commercial advice on the likes of corporate structures and transactions, intellectual property rights, insolvency, torts and advocacy.鈥
He said he had a network of consultants made up of ex-professional players, who can help the firm 鈥渁ccess and open doors鈥 to clubs in the 海角视频, Spain and Spanish speaking countries.
He also said the company can also broker endorsement and branding deals for clients and offer an accountancy and wealth management service.
Mr Southall said he already looked after the legal interests of the Leicester-based British Basketball League and the Leicester Falcons American Football team.
