Athletes Stall Over Team 2012 Contract

According to media reports, a number of the leading British Olympic athletes have been advised by lawyers not to sign the new Team 2012 contract as it devalues athletes’ existing sponsorship deals.

The contracts include elements of a sponsorship scheme devised by government funding body UK Sport to make up a £50m shortfall in funding but companies including Nike and BSkyB, which back athletics and cycling respectively, fear it would devalue their deals as it would make the athletes open to other sponsors.

Under the terms of the proposed contract athletes would have to promote corporate partners selected from a list of official 2012 sponsors that includes LloydsTSB, adidas, and EDF Energy.

Media reports quoted Richard Butcher, a solicitor at Payne Hicks Beach, who represents 16 sailors as stating that the wording is unclear and appears to limit athletes’ ability to arrange their own sponsorship deals.

‘There should be no doubt as to what a legal document means – it needs to be in plain English. If athletes are going to win medals, it’s absolutely vital they get personal sponsors. Otherwise it’s unlikely that they will win medals.’

It is understood that some athletes have already signed the contract but all 1,400 publicly funded athletes must agree to the terms to qualify for Lottery grants worth up to £70,000 each per year. Between 70 and 80 athletes are speculated to be resisting it.

The contracts covering the Beijing Games expired at the end of last month and UK Sport said that Team 2012 was vital for funding the elite programme and that it will not conflict with existing deals or prevent athletes signing personal deals.

UK Sport said: ‘This is a new approach, and it is not surprising that some higher-profile athletes want a better understanding about what it means for them. The majority of athletes have not had any questions over this, and we are committed to finding resolution with those that have.’