Sports law
A playing career is a business with a short trading life.
Contracts, structuring, asset protection and the ventures that come after the game, for athletes, coaches and the people around them. Advice from a lawyer who played 124 games of AFL football, then spent 30 years in property, finance and business.
No obligation. Meet in Geelong or Melbourne, or by video call anywhere in Australia.
Your lawyer
Damian Bourke
Consultant Lawyer. 124 AFL games for Geelong and the Brisbane Bears.
- 102 games for Geelong (1983 to 1992), 22 for the Brisbane Bears
- 30 years in property development and finance
- Nationally accredited mediator
Why it matters early
The money arrives early. The decisions made then decide what's left at the end.
Most of what an athlete needs is commercial law applied to an unusual career: high income for a few years, a public profile, contracts written by the other side, and pressure from family, friends and advisers to put money to work.
Signing
The contract was written by the other side
Payment, tenure, image rights, injury and termination terms, and how they sit against league and collective agreement rules. Understand it before you sign it.
Earning
A short career needs the right structure
Companies, trusts and holding structures set up early protect what you earn from later business risk, relationship breakdown and poor advice.
Investing
Everyone has a deal for you
A franchise, a property development, a teammate's business. The due diligence should happen before any money moves, not after.
Before you sign
The 60-second contract check
Tick each one you could explain in your own words today. Be honest, nobody's watching.
What we help with
Protect what you earn, and understand every deal before you sign it
We act for athletes, coaches and the people around them, from the first contract to the career after the game.
Playing and coaching contracts
Terms, tenure, payment, image rights, termination and injury provisions, and how the contract sits against league, association and collective agreement rules. Explained in plain English before signing.
Asset protection and structuring
Companies, trusts and holding structures set up early, so the income from a short career is protected from later business risk, relationship breakdown and poor advice.
Sponsorship, image rights and endorsements
Sponsorship agreements, endorsement deals and licensing of your name and image. What you are giving away, for how long, and what survives the deal.
Business ventures and investments
Buying into a franchise, a property development or a private company, joint ventures with teammates, and the due diligence that should happen first. Advice from someone who has done these deals himself.
Disciplinary and integrity matters
Representation before tribunals, integrity units and appeals bodies, and advice on process fairness before a hearing is lost on procedure.
Life after playing
Transition planning, business structures for the next career, employment and consulting agreements, and protecting what was built during the playing years.
Not sure it's a legal problem yet? Tell us on the first call. If we're not the right firm for it, we'll say so and point you somewhere useful.
How it works
Four steps, and you'll know what's next at each one
Free initial call
A short call with our client team to understand what's in front of you and who you should speak to.
Advice meeting
Damian goes through the contract, deal or structure and what it means for you. You get a written costs estimate before any work starts.
Negotiate or set up
We negotiate the terms, prepare the documents or set up the structure, working alongside your manager, agent or accountant where you have one.
Sign with confidence
You sign knowing what you're agreeing to, what it costs you and what happens if things change.
Who you'll work with
A lawyer who has been on your side of the table
Damian Bourke
Consultant Lawyer, Minerva Law
Damian played 102 games for the Geelong Football Club between 1983 and 1992, and 22 for the Brisbane Bears from 1993 to 1995. He then spent 30 years in property development, project management and finance, structuring joint ventures and trusts and negotiating with builders and financiers, before returning to legal practice.
He is a nationally accredited mediator, is based in Geelong and on the Surf Coast, and works with clients wherever they are in Australia.
What you can expect from Minerva Law
- Plain-English advice, explained before you're asked to decide anything
- Costs set out in writing before work starts
- A client team that keeps you updated, so you're never chasing
- Geelong and Melbourne, with video meetings Australia-wide
- Works alongside your manager, agent and accountant
Questions
Common questions
I already have a manager or agent. Why would I need a lawyer?
Managers and agents negotiate the deal. A lawyer tells you what the document actually says, what you're giving away and what happens if things go wrong. We work alongside your team, not instead of it.
When should I set up a company or trust?
Ideally before the larger income starts, because restructuring later can cost more and trigger tax. We set up the legal structure and work with your accountant on the tax side.
Can you review a sponsorship or endorsement deal quickly?
Yes. Tell us the deadline on the first call. We'll tell you what we can turn around in that time, and what you should push back on before you sign.
Do you only act for AFL players?
No. We act for athletes and coaches across codes, and for the families, businesses and advisers around them.
I've been offered an investment by someone in the game. Can you look at it?
Yes, and before any money moves is the right time. We look at the structure, the documents and the risks, the same way we would for any commercial deal.
How much will it cost?
Every matter is different, so we don't publish fees. After your free initial call you'll receive a written costs estimate before any work begins.
Get the deal checked before you sign it
A free initial call takes a few minutes. You'll leave knowing what you're looking at and what to do next.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Geelong and Melbourne, or by video.