Associate Counsel at IMG, London

Associate Counsel at IMG: Why This Sports & Entertainment Law Role Deserves Your Attention

For legal professionals with a passion for sport, media, and live events, the Associate Counsel position at IMG represents a rare intersection of commercial law and global sports entertainment. Based in London’s Chiswick Park and operating under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings, this role is not just another in-house legal job — it is a gateway into the high-stakes world of media rights, brand partnerships, and production deals that shape how billions of fans experience sport. The posting, which has already attracted over 200 applicants, signals a competitive but genuinely exciting opportunity for a solicitor with 1–3 years’ PQE who is ready to step into the fast lane of sports law.

This article unpacks every aspect of the IMG Associate Counsel role — from the company’s heavyweight portfolio to the exact skills you need to stand out. Whether you are an aspiring sports lawyer, a commercial contracts specialist, or a recent trainee solicitor looking for your first in-house move, understanding the nuances of this posting could be the difference between a generic application and one that lands you an interview.

Who Is IMG and Why Does It Matter for Legal Professionals?

IMG is not a typical sports agency. It is a global powerhouse that manages media rights, content production, brand partnerships, and events for more than 200 federations, associations, events, and teams. Its client list reads like a who’s who of global sport: the National Football League, English Premier League, International Olympic Committee, National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, ATP and WTA Tours, Wimbledon, Euroleague Basketball, CONMEBOL, DP World Tour, and The R&A, as well as UFC, WWE, and PBR. This isn’t just background noise — it tells you exactly what kind of legal work you will be doing.

As an Associate Counsel, you are not sitting in a back office reviewing mundane contracts all day. You will be advising on commercial and revenue-generating opportunities, which means every deal you touch has the potential to shape the sports landscape. The role sits within TKO Group Holdings, a company that reaches 1 billion households across 210 countries and organises more than 500 live events annually. For a lawyer, this scale means exposure to complex cross-border agreements, high-value negotiations, and a constant stream of novel legal issues — an unparalleled learning environment.

“The role will involve a mix of Media, Production, Brand Partnerships and Events work on a range of sports properties, across our owned, managed and commercially represented portfolio.” — from the official job posting

This is not hyperbole. The position bridges multiple practice areas: media law, intellectual property, sponsorship agreements, event management, and general commercial contracting. For someone who wants to become a well-rounded digital media and sports lawyer, this role is a mini-MBA in commercial law.

Breaking Down the Associate Counsel Mandate

The responsibilities listed in the posting are deliberately broad because IMG needs a flexible, commercially-minded lawyer who can pivot across projects. Let’s examine the core duties in detail:

• Providing commercially sound legal advice on revenue-generating opportunities across IMG and the wider TKO group. This is the heart of the role — you are a business enabler, not a lawyer who says “no”. You need to craft solutions that allow deals to close while protecting IMG’s interests.
• Proactively collaborating with the global legal team. The legal function spans London and international offices, meaning you will frequently share knowledge with colleagues across time zones. This builds a strong professional network and exposes you to different legal systems and deal structures.
• Advising on robust and favourable terms. You are not just drafting; you are negotiating. IMG wants a lawyer who can push for terms that maximise the company’s commercial position while remaining practical enough to keep the deal moving.
• Liaising with the business on risk. This means translating legal intricacies into plain English for non-lawyers. You need to be as good at communication as you are at legal analysis.
• Bringing legal to the table early. A recurring headache for in-house legal teams is being looped in at the last minute. IMG wants an Associate Counsel who actively educates colleagues on the importance of early involvement — this requires emotional intelligence and persuasive skills.
• Handling new projects as they arise. Flexibility is non-negotiable. In a dynamic sports environment, new opportunities, acquisitions, or events can appear overnight, and your role is to be ready.

The working conditions are also worth noting. The role is permanent, based in London Chiswick Park, with standard hours from 9am to 5pm. However, the posting transparently mentions occasional early or late calls to facilitate meetings with the global legal team, and sometimes unsociable hours to meet business deadlines. This is a realistic preview of global sports law — you are not just serving London; you are serving clients across 210 countries.

What the Hiring Team Expects: Mandatory vs. Desirable Criteria

IMG has separated the requirements into two tiers, and you must be honest with yourself about where you stand before applying. The mandatory criteria are not overly demanding but require a solid legal foundation:

• Fully qualified Solicitor (England and Wales or possibly equivalent jurisdiction accepted, though the posting specifies “fully qualified Solicitor”)
• 1–3 years PQE — this is explicitly an entry-level to junior role, ideal for someone who has just completed their training contract or has a couple of years’ post-qualification experience
• Experience drafting general commercial contracts — this is a core skill, so if your training was in litigation or a niche field, you need to bridge the gap
• Worked in a commercial environment — private practice knowledge is fine, but an in-house secondment or a seat in a corporate/commercial team helps
• Training in top tier legal practice — this suggests a preference for candidates from well-regarded law firms or chambers, but it is not absolute; it is a proxy for high-quality drafting and analytical skills

The desirable criteria are where you can differentiate yourself:

• Experience drafting media rights/production, sponsorship, supplier, and agency representation contracts
• Experience working with cultural and sports organisations
• Experience working with high-level executives
• A genuine interest in sport, media, and live events

Interestingly, the posting also places heavy emphasis on soft skills: ability to assimilate and understand commercial opportunities with speed and accuracy, meticulous attention to detail, ability to juggle varied workloads, clear and concise communication with clients of all levels, team orientation, and a disciplined, hard-working attitude. These are not just HR platitudes — in a lean in-house team, every lawyer must be self-sufficient and responsive.

How to Position Yourself as the Ideal Candidate

Given the competitive applicant pool — over 200 candidates in just two days — you need a strategy that goes beyond submitting a generic CV. Here are concrete steps to tailor your application for the IMG Associate Counsel role:

• Highlight your commercial contracts experience with measurable outcomes. Instead of saying “drafted commercial agreements”, specify the types of agreements (e.g., media rights, sponsorship, distribution) and the value of the deals. Use numbers whenever possible.
• Showcase any sports or media exposure. If you have represented a sports client, worked on an event, or completed a secondment at a media company, place that front and centre. Even a passion project like writing about sports law can be relevant.
• Demonstrate your ability to influence non-lawyers. Provide an example where you helped a business team structure a deal from the outset, not just the legal paperwork. This proves you can execute the “proactive involvement” requirement.
• Prepare for competency-based questions. The interview will likely probe how you juggle priorities, how you handle difficult stakeholders, and how you communicate risk. Have real examples ready.
• Research IMG’s portfolio deeply. Pick two of their major properties (e.g., Wimbledon, UFC) and understand their unique legal challenges. Mentioning these in your cover letter shows genuine enthusiasm.

Success in this role depends on being “commercially sound” — legal excellence is baseline, but the winners will be those who can negotiate a deal without killing it.

Career Impact: Where This Role Can Take You

Joining IMG as an Associate Counsel is not just another job; it is a strategic career move. Here is why:

First, in-house experience at a leading sports agency is incredibly portable. After two to three years at IMG, you will have a CV that appeals to premium sports clubs, broadcasters, digital platforms, and other entertainment companies. The network you build internally — with legal colleagues in London and international offices, and executives from major sports organisations — is invaluable.

Second, the role exposes you to deal-making at the highest level. You will be involved in matters that make headlines, from broadcasting rights negotiations to global sponsorship activation. This gives you a front-row seat to the commercial realities that shape the sports industry, a perspective that is highly sought after in both law firms and in-house departments.

Third, the TKO connection adds a further dimension. Because IMG is the sports marketing arm of TKO Group Holdings, which also owns UFC, WWE, and PBR, there are opportunities to work on projects across these iconic brands. One day you might be advising on a UFC sponsorship deal, the next on a WWE production agreement. This variety accelerates your learning curve and builds an impressive broad practice.

Moreover, the role is explicitly designed to be a “supporting” function that touches multiple business units. This is perfect for a junior lawyer aiming to become a well-rounded commercial counsel in the media/entertainment sector. You are not pigeonholed into one niche; you are growing into a generalist with specialist knowledge — a combination that opens doors to senior counsel roles, legal director positions, or even a move into business development.

There is also the intrinsic reward of working in an industry that generates passion. If you love sport, being part of the legal machinery that powers global events like Wimbledon or the Olympic Games is deeply fulfilling. The posting explicitly asks for “an enthusiasm for and interest in sport, media and entertainment” — for genuinely interested candidates, work won’t feel like work.

Practical Considerations: Deadlines and Application Process

The deadline for this role is not specified in the public job posting. However, given the overwhelming response (over 200 applicants in two days), immediate application is strongly advised. The application link directs to LinkedIn’s job page, where you can apply directly through the platform. There is no mention of application fees, and the role is a full-time, permanent position. If you are applying from outside the UK, remember that the role requires you to be a fully qualified solicitor — likely England and Wales qualification or equivalent that allows you to practice in the UK. Ensure your eligibility to work in the UK is clear, as the posting does not mention visa sponsorship.

The absence of a formal deadline is common for in-house roles. IMG will likely review applications on a rolling basis until the right candidate is found. Do not wait — a role of this calibre will not stay open for long.

Frequently Asked Questions About the IMG Associate Counsel Role

1. Is the IMG Associate Counsel role open to candidates outside the UK?

The job is based in London, and the mandatory requirement states “fully qualified Solicitor”. This generally implies UK qualification (England and Wales). However, candidates with equivalent qualifications from other common law jurisdictions may be considered if they can register as a solicitor in England and Wales. The posting does not explicitly mention visa sponsorship, so international candidates may need to secure their own right to work in the UK.

2. What is the most important skill for this job?

While strong commercial contract drafting is the baseline, the most critical differentiator is commercial awareness and the ability to communicate with non-lawyers. The role repeatedly emphasises providing “commercially sound advice” and working proactively with business teams. A candidate who understands how to balance legal risk with business opportunity, and can convince others to follow that advice, will outperform a purely academic lawyer.

3. Does this role offer hybrid or remote work?

The posting specifies a permanent role at London Chiswick Park, with working hours Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm. It does not mention hybrid or remote options. It does note occasional travel to other London offices and occasionally early or late calls to accommodate international time zones. Candidates seeking remote flexibility may find this role less suitable.

4. What career progression can I expect after becoming an Associate Counsel at IMG?

In-house legal teams at companies like IMG typically offer a path from Associate Counsel to Senior Associate Counsel, then Legal Director, and eventually General Counsel. Because the role involves working across IMG and TKO properties, high performers often move into broader commercial or leadership roles. Alternatively, the experience gained in sports law can position you for senior roles at other media companies, sports federations, or elite law firms with sports law practices.