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While technology has had a gigantic impact on almost every aspect of our society, it’s impact on the Sports & Entertainment industry is not always instantly apparent.  Improvements in technology have ensured that sports coverage is more extensive than ever before – with a plethora of options and coverage is available everywhere, and round-the-clock, whether live or full-replay. In addition, social media has created incredible opportunities and access to an incredible platform for fans and athletes to connect and monetize fan enthusiasm and support for the sporting events. New online platforms like Eventbrite have made it easy and convenient to sell tickets, check in and coordinate the entire ticketing process, which encourages attendance at sporting events. In a smaller way, technology has entirely revolutionized the manner in which apparel and equipment is designed to be more high-tech and high-functioning. The experience of going to a sporting event has also been enhanced with high-definition scoreboards, wireless internet, and recreational devices like simulators.

 

Recent digital and online technology enhancements have also resulted in revolutionary changes in the music and entertainment industry, such as live cable networks, on-demand videos and streaming services to a diversified audience. Rapidly, technology has shifted the marketplace and distribution to create virtual entertainment experiences for consumers that not only allow them to experience such technologies from the comfort of home but to also take a step further to design their own user-generated content. Forward-thinking and innovative businesses are constantly pushing the boundaries to expand their offerings to their customers and compete globally, making content available to a worldwide audience.

 

The global video game market was forecast to be worth $159 billion in 2020, around four times box office revenues ($43 billion in 2019) and almost three times music industry revenues ($57 billion in 2019). Revenues for many gaming companies and platforms have increased during the pandemic. The COVID-19 lockdowns have boosted user engagement with video games and esports.

 

We advise individual sports personalities, artists, musicians, photographers and performers on a range of legal issues that are somewhat unique to them - to help them protect and promote their efforts, monetize effectively their intellectual property and in some cases, their personal brand.  We also regularly advise Sports and Entertainment clients on a broad range of underlying rights negotiations; major film studio deals; film production, distribution and financing arrangements; music publishing, games publishing, SAAS platforms for eSports tournaments, licensing and other transactional matters; and book, magazine and new media publishing arrangements.  Additionally, our team stays abreast of changing laws and regulations to provide strategic counsel so that the creative industry can remain focused on their craft.

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