Business Affairs Manager ESPN/Disney Sport

About the Role & Team

The Manager Business Affairs – Sports will lead complex negotiations and oversee strategic legal and business initiatives related to the acquisition, licensing, and monetization of sports media rights across multiple platforms. This role requires strong leadership, commercial acumen, and expertise in global sports rights markets to support the company’s premium sports content strategy. This position is with The Walt Disney Company (Benelux) B.V., which is part of a business we call Sport/ESPN. 

This role will require you to be working 4 days a week in our office and 1 day from home. 

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.

What You Will Do
 
Regional Advisory & Coordination:  

• Act as lead adviser for sports-related business affairs matters in EMEA, including rights acquisitions, tenders, special projects and contract management. 

• Coordinate closely with EMEA and ESPN US sports business teams and legal counsels. 

• Ensure global positions on sports acquisitions are upheld and regional needs are communicated. 
   

Contract Management & Negotiation: 

• Draft, negotiate, and review multi-territory sports rights acquisition agreements with major rightsholders. 

• Support and align with local counsels on drafting and negotiating local sports rights agreements. 
   

Policy & Compliance: 

• Implement and act as guardian of the Sports Rights Acquisition Policy, including workflows, pipelines, and minimum rights standards. 

• Ensure full compliance with corporate policies, including anti-bribery and sports-related approval processes. 
   

Tender Process Management: 

• Lead and coordinate tender processes, including reviewing documentation, setting timelines, advising on packaging and bidding tactics, and liaising with ESPN US team as needed. 
   

Governance & Administration: 

• Maintain up-to-date rights overviews (sport rights matrix). 

• Sit in on sports-related management meetings at local and regional levels. 

• Manage know-how, general administration, and ensure accurate record-keeping. 
   

Training & Knowledge Sharing: 

• Educate and update sports-related legal and business teams on relevant matters through periodic calls and training sessions. 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 3 years of experience in media, entertainment, or sports law. 

• Proven experience in multi-territory sports rights negotiations and compliance management. 

• Strong knowledge of IP, broadcasting regulations, and digital distribution models. 

• Negotiation and communication skills. 

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, global environment with multiple stakeholders. 

• Proven legal experience. 
   

• Fluent English, both written and spoken.
   

Preferred Skills: 

• Multilingual capabilities (English required; additional languages a plus). 

• Familiarity with emerging technologies (streaming, OTT, social media platforms). 

• Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen 

The Walt Disney Company Benelux BV is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.