ECIJA's growth in Mexico, sports law and five-year plans

What is the structure of ECIJA Law's practice in Mexico and what sectors or specialisms have emerged as strategic priorities?

The firm operates through both traditional practice areas and industry-focused approaches. Practice areas include corporate law and M&A, dispute resolution and litigation, tax, intellectual property, technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), environmental law, real estate, labour, social security and data protection. This cross-practice structure enables comprehensive legal coverage for clients in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, fashion, aerospace, automotive and, in particular, sports law. The sports sector exemplifies the firm's sectoral approach, as it integrates multiple legal disciplines - commercial, contract, intellectual property, consumer protection, data protection and technology - into a single cohesive service offering.

How has the firm's presence in Mexico evolved since its inception and what factors have driven its growth?

ECIJA Law began operations in Mexico in 2020 and has grown steadily since its arrival. The goal from the outset was to introduce a differentiated model: a global service offering underpinned by strong local expertise. This combination has enabled the firm to stand out in a competitive legal market, offering the scale and reach of an international network - now spanning 18 countries and more than 34 offices - while maintaining a deep understanding of the Mexican legal environment. In its five years of operation, the Mexico office has maintained a double-digit annual growth rate, evolving from a small practice to a significant player in the market. This trajectory has been driven by a commitment to service excellence, cost efficiency through a lean structure and the ability to deliver measurable value to clients across a wide range of sectors.

How does the firm address the rapidly evolving data protection and digital regulatory landscape in Mexico?

The legal framework must keep pace with technological advances. While society and innovation often move faster than legislation, it is essential that legal practice evolves in parallel. The exponential growth of digital technologies has transformed the way personal data is collected, processed and protected. Only a few years ago, individuals shared personal information, such as names or telephone numbers, without regard to its possible misuse. Today, data protection is a critical business and legal concern. Recent high-profile cases illustrate the risks of inadequate legal oversight, such as the unauthorised use of personal images at large public events. These incidents demonstrate that companies of all types, not just technology companies, must comply with strict obligations regarding image rights, privacy and personal data. This is particularly relevant in sports and entertainment, where broadcasting, marketing and sponsorship activities generate complex legal scenarios.

Sports law is a growing area of practice - what makes it a unique area of law and how does ECIJA Law approach it?

Sports law is an expansive field that encompasses multiple legal disciplines. Beyond the competitions themselves, it involves sponsorship, licensing and merchandising agreements, broadcasting rights, stadium operations, intellectual property management and logistics contracts. It also extends to the regulation of player transfers, relations with agents and compliance with governing bodies such as FIFA, which maintains its own systems of regulation and dispute resolution. The firm's expertise ranges from negotiating high-value broadcasting contracts - differentiating between domestic, international, radio and television rights - to advising on sponsorship deals, uniform manufacturing agreements and transport logistics for teams and events. Given the highly specialised nature of these contracts and the unique terminology of the sports industry, sector-specific knowledge is indispensable to safeguard clients' interests and ensure favourable negotiation outcomes.

What specific opportunities does the 2026 FIFA World Cup present for Mexico and how should companies prepare?

The FIFA World Cup is the most important global sporting event, rivalled only by the Olympic Games. Hosting the matches in Mexico, along with the US and Canada, represents an unprecedented opportunity for economic impact, sectoral development and international visibility. The event will generate substantial demand for high quality services in areas such as hospitality, transport, logistics and leisure. For businesses, the World Cup offers the opportunity to expand market reach, enhance brand positioning and build long-term relationships with consumers. However, to take full advantage of these opportunities, companies must prepare themselves through professionalisation, technology adoption and strong legal compliance. This includes ensuring that contracts, image rights, sponsorship and data protection measures are fully compliant with both local regulations and FIFA's international standards. Mexico last hosted the World Cup in 1986, and such an occasion is unlikely to be repeated soon, so strategic preparation is essential.

How do emerging sectors such as e-sports and sports-related digital platforms intersect with sports law?

E-sports and sports-themed video games are now major industries in their own right, generating substantial revenues and complex legal challenges. These range from licensing agreements and intellectual property disputes to player image rights and contractual agreements with gaming companies. The recent rebranding of the FIFA video game to "EA Sports FC" is an excellent example of how contractual and branding considerations shape the industry. In both traditional sports and e-sports, the same principles apply: every ticket sold, item distributed and broadcast involves multiple contractual obligations and legal relationships. Even companies that participate indirectly must navigate a landscape that is heavily regulated and rich with legal implications.

Looking ahead, what are the firm's priorities for the next three to five years?

The firm's strategic goal is to continue its double-digit growth trajectory while consolidating its leadership in key practice areas, such as TMT, digital law, sports law and fashion law. Success will be measured not only by market recognition, but also by client and employee satisfaction. The ambition is for clients to consider ECIJA Law as the best possible partner for their legal needs and for its professionals to regard the firm as the best place to work in the industry. Achieving this dual objective will ensure sustainable growth, enhanced reputation and long-lasting client relationships.

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