Intellectual Property in Sports
School of Sports Branding
6 Weeks
Online (with Live Sessions)
March 27, 2026
$55
Certificate Upon Completion
About Program
Behind every great sports brand — from global clubs to individual athletes — lies the power of intellectual property (IP). This course dives deep into how trademarks, image rights, broadcasting rights, and licensing deals shape the sports economy. Participants will learn how to protect and commercialize IP assets, build strong brand strategies, and navigate legal frameworks that safeguard value. With a mix of global case studies and African sports market insights, this course equips learners to understand the critical link between law, business, and brand growth in sports.
Learning Objectives
Understand the fundamentals of intellectual property in the sports industry.
Analyze how trademarks, logos, broadcasting rights, and licensing deals generate revenue.
Manage athlete image rights and develop personal brand strategies.
Identify risks such as counterfeiting, piracy, and brand dilution, and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Design sports brand strategies that connect with fans, sponsors, and global audiences.
Program Modules
Rita Anwiri Chindah
Rita Anwiri Chindah is a lecturer at Rivers State University, where she is currently pursuing her doctoral research on African Intangible Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge, and is a leading voice in intellectual property (IP) law in Nigeria, Africa.
Rita holds a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property and Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK. She is the host of the #IPSERIES podcast, with over 14` episodes and 25 published newsletter editions on Substack, offering insights into global IP developments.
She was part of the team that drafted the Rivers State ICT Policy and served on Nigeria’s Technical Working Group that drafted the Geographical Indication Law, supported by AfrIPI and the EU. Rita is the Chief Convener of the Intellectual Property Society of Nigeria (IPSN), organizing major IP awareness events, including World IP Day.
Career Outcomes
This programme prepares learners for careers in sports law, rights management, and brand protection.
Graduates can work as sports IP consultants, licensing managers, or legal officers specialising in image rights, broadcasting contracts, sponsorship agreements, and merchandise licensing.