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Portrait ofJohn Cloke

John Cloke

Partner
Head of Sport

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP
Cannon Place
78 Cannon Street
London
EC4N 6AF
United Kingdom
Languages English

John is a partner in the commercial media team with over 15 years’ experience, with a particular focus on transactions involving the exploitation of media and other commercial rights in sport. His clients include major sports competitions and governing bodies, sponsors and multinational media companies.

His practice includes advising clients on the sale and acquisition of broadcasting rights, content distribution and media technology issues. He also advises clients on sponsorship, broadcast regulation, new media strategy, and IP-related issues including copyright.

Prior to joining CMS in September 2022, John spent 17 years at DLA Piper.

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"He combines commercial acumen with a practical, can-do approach to legal support and an outstanding technical understanding of the relevant issues in this area."

Chambers, 2022

Relevant experience

  • The Football Association Premier League Limited on its domestic and international rights sales strategy.
  • A major motor racing competition on licensing of international broadcasting rights.
  • A leading sports league on its intellectual property rights in competition-related data.

Prior to joining CMS, John advised:

  • A global media company on various investments and acquisitions and UK media regulation (including the impact of Brexit).
  • A major consumer goods company on its sponsorship of football clubs and sports/e-sports competitions and a technical partnership with a motor racing team.
  • An international governing body for a major sport on the collective selling of media rights and rights packaging.
  • A major European broadcaster on the acquisition of media rights to a global multi-sports event.
  • A large telco on a bid for broadcasting rights to its local domestic football league.
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Education

  • 2001 – Law, B.A.(Hons), Oxford University, Keble College
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Feed

13/11/2024
Stepping up the game: Women’s Professional Leagues Limited becomes new...
On 15 August 2024, The Football Association (the “FA”) formally announced that the temporarily named Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (“WPLL”) would be handed legal ownership of the Barclays...
29/07/2024
Call for evidence: Listed events - Implementing the Media Act 2024
Ofcom has opened a call for evidence to the public requesting inputs on how to carry out certain changes to the UK’s Listed Events Regime which were proposed in the Media Act (the “Act”). The Act...
10/07/2024
Recommerce Reads - Love is in the air: sponsorship deals for the rise of...
For those readers familiar with our Recommerce Reads series, you will know that the second-hand industry is becoming part of the mainstream online consumer experience. The number of new entrants to this...
21/11/2023
Part 6 of our 7-part series on the First Reading version of the Media Bill...
In this article we discuss Part 2 of the Media Bill (“Prominence on Television Selection Services”) and how it compares to Part 2 of the draft Media Bill published earlier this year.Back­ground­When...
10/07/2023
CMS Media Morning Update 2023
The CMS Media Update Morning in March 2023 covered the future of regulation in the media sector, the impact of AI and the metaverse, trends in digital advertising, and legal considerations for sports documentaries. Click through the videos below to hear more in-depth discussions of these topics. 
20/04/2023
DCMS Select Committee invites comments on the draft Media Bill
Following the long-awaited publication of the draft Media Bill on 29 March 2023, the DCMS Select Committee is now entering a consultation period during which it is inviting industry views on the draft...
11/04/2023
Part 1 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill – public service television...
In the first article of our 7-part series, we explore Part 1 of the draft Media Bill, which aims to futureproof the obligations of public service broadcasters, and make it easier for these obligations...
06/04/2023
Part 3 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill – the future of Channel...
In this article, we look at Part 3 of the draft Media Bill, the Government’s resolution to initially one of the most controversial aspects of the Media White Paper, regarding the future of Channel 4.Channel...
05/04/2023
Part 7 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill – listed events regime...
In this article, as part seven of our seven-part series, we will cover:changes to the listed events regime, which are set out in Part 1 of the draft Media Bill; andPart 7 of the draft Media Bill, which:...
04/04/2023
Part 4 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill - levelling the regulatory...
In this article we explore Part 4 of the draft Media Bill, “On-Demand Programme Ser­vices”.En­hanced regulation for large video-on-demand servicesEver since VOD services burst onto UK (and EU) screens...
03/04/2023
Part 5 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill – the de-regulation...
In this article we explore Part 5 of the draft Media Bill (“Regulation of Radio Ser­vices”).Back­ground­In February 2017, the Government initiated a consultation into proposals to deregulate commercial...
31/03/2023
Part 2 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill - a revised prominence...
In this article we explore Part 2 of the draft Media Bill (“Prominence on Television Selection Services”).The current regulatory frameworkThe current so-called “prominence” framework (as set out...