gunnercooke launches sport division with key hire

International corporate law firm gunnercooke has appointed former Millwall FC chief executive and English Football League director Steve Kavanagh to lead gunnercookeSport, its newly launched sport division.

Steve brings 25 years of top-level experience in football, having held senior roles at Charlton Athletic, Millwall and Southend United. 

He has also served on the FA Council and played a key role in shaping football governance, including the creation of the sport’s first independent regulator.

Steve said: “I’m really excited to be joining gunnercooke for this unique opportunity. 

“The team have experience working with some of the biggest sports clubs and organisations and I’m looking forward to bringing them together to create a specialist full-service offering that is completely unique to the market.”

gunnercookeSport will provide legal, operational, and management support to clubs, players and organisations across football, rugby, cricket, tennis and more. 

The team will advise on contracts, sponsorships, transfers, regulatory compliance and business operations, consolidating gunnercooke’s expertise in competition law, employment and real estate.

Steve’s appointment signals gunnercooke’s ambition to expand its presence in the sports sector, offering a full-service approach to professional clubs and athletes.

Darryl Cooke, founder of gunnercooke, added: “With the regulatory environment evolving, there is more pressure on clubs, players and the sports community to do the right thing. 

“They need advice and guidance from trusted advisors, and we have developed gunnercookeSport to meet this need. 

“Steve is the perfect candidate to lead the department, having a wide breadth of experience in sports business management, meaning he truly understands the industry’s needs. 

“I believe he will help bring a uniqueness to gunnercooke and our sports work and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

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