As the sports industry enters a new era of growth, investment, commercialization, and global visibility, Gowling WLG is proud to welcome Jennifer Bishop as Head of Sports and a senior partner in the firm's Corporate Commercial, Funds, & Private M&A Group.
A distinguished voice at the intersection of sport and business, Jennifer brings a powerful combination of board-level leadership, strategic advisory experience, and transactional expertise, shaped by first-hand experience in high-performance sport. Drawing on her experience as former Co-Chair of a national M&A and Sport, Media & Entertainment practice, Jennifer advises organizations, investors, and governing bodies on sophisticated commercial transactions, strategic partnerships, capital and investment initiatives and complex governance matters across the evolving sports ecosystem.
"With significant capital inflows, major international events, and new commercial models, the sports industry is becoming more sophisticated, competitive, and opportunity-rich by the day," said Pam Vermeersch, Chair of Gowling WLG's Corporate Department. "Jennifer's uniquely integrated perspective across the entire sports landscape, combined with her extensive transactional and strategic advisory experience, will be invaluable to clients looking not only to participate in this rapid growth, but to help shape it."
Beyond her client practice, Jennifer holds leadership roles that reflect her deep commitment to the legal profession, gender equity, and excellence in sports leadership and governance. These include serving on the global advisory board of the International Bar Association Women Lawyers' Committee, as a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee's Governance and Ethics Advisory Committee, a member of the committee overseeing the World Cup of Men's Tennis (Davis Cup), and as Board Chair of an inner-city children's charity focused on expanding access to sport in underserved communities