Nick Bitel has spent over 35 years working in the sports sector acting as a lawyer, administrator and chief executive. 

He is described by the Chambers UK guide as “one of the best sports lawyers in Britain” and by Legal 500 as ”an institution in the world of sports law”. He has a long track record in advising some of the world's most iconic sports events and has a unique understanding and overview of commercialising sports properties and sports policy and governance.

Nick has been the Chief Executive of the London Marathon since 1995 and in 2013 was appointed by the Government as Chair of Sport England. He is also currently a Board Member of UK Sport and the London Legacy Development Corporation (owners of Olympic Park). He is the former Chainman of the Sports Rights Owners Coalition, which represents over 45 of the world’s leading sports governing bodies and rights owners. Nick was one of three assessors appointed by the Ryder Cup to assess the bids to host the 2018 Ryder Cup and has been reappointed for 2022.

Nick specialises in the law related to commercial sport, involving devising and implementing regulatory and commercial structures and strategy for sports rights holders, drafting and negotiating sponsorship, endorsement, licensing and merchandising agreements and advising on the proper exploitation and protection of sports rights. Nick also has extensive experience in relation to complex litigation including the application of competition law to sport.

020 7539 7306