LAWFUEL – The Legal Newswire – The $2 Million deal to sign David Beckham was handled largely by Football Australia, said Phoenix CEO Tony Pignata in an interview with legal newswire LawFuel.com.
The deal, one of the largest sports deals in New Zealand and certainly the biggest individual football deal, was handled through the FIFA match company. “Most of the legwork was handled by Football Australia,” Mr Pignata said.
Beckham’s visit on 2 December is anticipated to produce a full house at the Westpac Stadium and a mini-boom in the city. The Wellington City Council will not say how much of the $2 million it has paid from its special events fund.
The Phoenix itself is handled by Serepisos’ lawyers DLA Phillips Fox, Shaun O’Sullivan in particular, who helped set up the franchise in Wellington.
Mr Pignata said most sports lawyers in New Zealand had a good understanding of the requirements related to sports law, such as television and sponsorship deals and the like, from his experience.
Beckham is one of England soccer’s greats. He joined Manchester United in 1989 at age 14, debuted in the first team in 1992, and won six Premier League titles and a Champions League medal before transferring in 2003 to Real Madrid.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the club was considering incorporating the Phoenix versus Adelaide game on Friday November 30 into the ticket price.
