The 14th Update
[April 2025]
Welcome back to the 14th Update, a Newsletter curated by 14 Sports Law, where the world of sports law unfolds with the rhythm of a well-struck penalty kick.
We continue to bring to you the 14th Update on the 14th day of every month. This edition will unpack some of the latest developments from the world of sports.
Our mission remains unwavering: to decode the complexities of sports law and business and present them to you in an engaging format. 14th Update is your passport to the latest developments in the arena of sports law, business, and technology.
As always, we invite you to share your thoughts, feedback, and questions with us at [info@14sportslaw.com].
Happy reading!
Best,
Luis Cassiano Neves
Founding Partner, 14 Sports Law
Matilde Costa Dias acted as an Arbitrator in the General Rounds of the 4th Sports Arbitration Moot (SAM) and is set to return for the Elimination Rounds in Madrid this May. While at the SAM in Madrid, she will also moderate a debate on “Working at a Sports Federation”, spotlighting career pathways and institutional dynamics in sports governance.
On 28 March 2025, Matilde lectured on “FIFA – Litigation” at the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, as part of the Sports Law Postgraduate Programme led by Alexandre Mestre.
FIFA Agent Exam Prep Course – Liga Portugal Business School x 14 Sports Law
Liga Portugal Business School in partnership with 14 Sports Law has launched the FIFA Agent Exam Prep Course – a bespoke programme designed to prepare aspiring football agents worldwide for the official FIFA Football Agent Exam. This comprehensive course delivers in-depth expertise, strategic guidance, study resources, and mock questions, all meticulously curated, not to mention the all-star cast of Mentors, to help candidates navigate the exam with confidence and earn their FIFA Agent License. To know more, visit this link.
Latest CAS Bulletin 2025/01 Features Key Legal Developments
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has published CAS Bulletin 2025/01, marking the first edition of the year. This latest bulletin offers a curated overview of landmark CAS awards and notable rulings by the Swiss Federal Tribunal. There is a particular emphasis on decisions impacting football and FIFA-related disputes as well as important cases from various other sports. It also reflects on institutional highlights and procedural updates from the latter half of 2024, providing valuable insight into the evolving landscape of international sports arbitration.
FIFA Excludes Club León from 2025 Club World Cup Over MCO Breach – 3 CAS Appeals Filed
On 21 March 2025, FIFA’s Appeal Committee confirmed the exclusion of Mexico’s Club León from the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The decision was based on violations of the multi club ownership rule (MCO) rule established under Article 10 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which prohibits entities from controlling multiple participating clubs (similar to the UEFA Integrity Rule). Both Club León and CF Pachuca are owned by Grupo Pachuca, leading to the ruling that only one could participate. The case was initiated following a complaint by Costa Rican Club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, which highlighted the multi ownership issue. While Pachuca remains in the tournament, FIFA is reportedly considering a playoff between Los Angeles FC and Club América to determine León's replacement.
Alajuelense, ranked fifteenth in the CONCACAF Club rankings, has filed an appeal before CAS challenging FIFA’s decision, with a hearing set for 23 April 2025 in Madrid. In parallel, Club León and CF Pachuca have also lodged appeals against the FIFA Appeals Committee’s ruling on MCO before the CAS, seeking a declaration of eligibility for both clubs. Additionally, Club León has filed a separate appeal against the FIFA Secretary General’s decision, requesting reinstatement. These cases, announced by CAS on 4 April, are currently in the written submissions stage and will be heard during the week of 5 May 2025.
Reinaldo Teixeira Elected as the President of the Portuguese Professional Football League (LPFP)
Reinaldo Teixeira has been elected as the new president of the LPFP, securing a decisive victory over opponent José Gomes Mendes with 42 votes to 10. Teixeira, previously president of the Algarve Football Association and coordinator of the League's delegates, garnered substantial backing from both Liga Portugal and Liga Portugal 2 clubs.
The vote comes in the wake of the recent elections at the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with Pedro Proença taking office as President. The fresh faces will have to oversee one of the most crucial moments for football in Portugal, as the League gears up for a first cycle of centralized sale of the competitions’ broadcast rights.
All Eyes on FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as it Locks in Major Deals
With the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup set to take place in the United States in June - July 2025, FIFA has secured a robust commercial and media framework to back its ambitious expansion. DAZN has acquired global streaming rights in a landmark deal reportedly valued at $1 billion, committing to make all 63 matches available free-to-air on its platform. To broaden market reach, DAZN has partnered with major regional broadcasters: TNT Sports (English coverage) and TelevisaUnivision (Spanish) in the U.S., Fox Sports in Australia, and Mediaset in Italy and Spain, among others. In the UK, both BBC and ITV opted out, prompting DAZN to explore alternate free-to-air partnerships. In Portugal, the broadcasting rights have been secured by Sport TV.
On the sponsorship front, FIFA has announced several high-profile partnerships. Hisense became the first Official Partner for the tournament, extending its long-standing association with FIFA. Coca-Cola, AB InBev (Budweiser and Michelob Ultra), and Bank of America have all signed on with tailored activations and campaigns, while global sponsors such as Adidas, Visa, and Qatar Airways remain fully integrated under existing agreements. Looking further ahead, the 2029 edition of the Club World Cup is widely expected to be hosted jointly by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, aligning with their preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. While not yet confirmed, the bid has gained early momentum as FIFA seeks continuity between major events.
NCAA Reaches $2.8 Billion Settlement Over Athlete Compensation
In a historic antitrust settlement pertaining to U.S. College Sports, the NCAA and Power Five conferences have agreed to pay approximately $2.8 billion to resolve House v. NCAA, consolidated with the Carter and Hubbard cases (In re College Athlete NIL Litigation). The class action challenged the NCAA’s longstanding restrictions on athlete compensation, particularly relating to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) earnings.
The deal applies to all Division I athletes from 2016 onward, with backpay distributed over 10 years and some high-profile athletes potentially receiving six-figure sums. Crucially, the agreement introduces a forward-looking structure allowing schools to share up to 22% of annual athletics revenue directly with athletes, effectively establishing a regulated compensation framework across college sports. Additional reforms include the replacement of scholarship limits with sport-specific roster caps, expanded benefits, and the development of a centralized enforcement mechanism to oversee NIL transactions. Final court approval is expected in the coming weeks, with implementation slated for mid-2025. While this deal resolves key legal claims, it leaves the door open for future litigation — particularly around Title IX compliance, antitrust scrutiny of the 22% cap, and broader questions regarding the employment status of college athletes.
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