Women's sport


The Equaliser - specialist legal offering to the women’s sports sector.

The popularity of women's sports has been increasing rapidly over recent years. Delivered by one of the country’s leading women’s sports law practices, The Equaliser will support this continued growth.

It combines specialist sports law advice and deep know-how across all disciplines, but with a creative approach recognising the commercial challenges faced by sportswomen and organisations. Available to you whether you're an elite athlete or playing at grassroots level, including professional and amateur athletes, sports teams and governing bodies, and brands investing in women’s sport.

What is The Equaliser?

  • A free hour of preliminary consultation (either via a telephone or face-to-face)
  • Advice led by our specialist team members with a wealth of experience in women’s sports
  • Mentoring of athletes who want to qualify into a legal career utilising our experience of working with women’s sports
  • Invites to regular sports roundtable discussions and similar events where you can share your insights on the sector and connect with peers
  • Access to our network of leading sports industry clients and contacts
  • Participation in our sports conferences and seminars
  • Fixed legal fees for projects
  • All in a tailored and affordable package

What our clients say about us?

“Mills & Reeve has been a great support with all my personal legal needs on contractual and commercial work. Mills & Reeve has also been important to the negotiation and execution of the England Women Central Contracts. ”

Steph Houghton MBE

England and Manchester City women's footballer and capitan

“The profile and commercial power of women's sport is obviously on an upwards trajectory, with an increased demand for legal support. I have seen first-hand how some female athletes feel more comfortable dealing with female lawyers, especially on sensitive personal matters, and Mills & Reeve has the expertise and personnel to readily address these client needs. ”

Matthew Buck, Director

PFA Player Player Management

Our experience


We work with some of the most important and valuable cases in women's sport including:

  • Eni Aluko in her action for bullying and racism against the FA and the former England women’s head coach

  • On and off field support for the likes of Steph Houghton, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Lauren Hemp and Ellen White

  • The England Lionesses in the negotiation of their central contracts with The FA

  • Advising on the negotiation of the standard terms of the Women’s Super League playing contract

  • Establishing an independent tribunal to hear the final stage appeals of female athletes regarding an Olympic selection dispute

We have niche expertise in reputational management and have advised household named national and international female players on a range of reputational issues. Matters include defamation, privacy and press disputes involving the top media organisations. We've also implemented protective strategies because of iCloud hacking and personal sensitive data breaches. 

We're founding members of Women in Sports Law, a not-for-profit organisation which provides opportunities for female sports lawyers. The national sports team is led Carol Couse who is widely recognised (including in the legal directories and Who's Who Legal). Her and the team regularly speak on issues affecting women in sport.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

Contact us

Our expertise

FIFA Football Agent Regulations
Insurance in sport
Women's sport

Meet our women's sport team

The Half Time Equaliser

We shine a spotlight on women's sport and speak to the key stakeholders on their careers to date as well as hot topics in the industry.

Find out more

Related sectors & services

Sport Women's sport