Meet Chris Grant, Principal Legal Counsel at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation - the government agency behind two of Australia's biggest motorsport events: the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.
Chris is one of the few people who successfully crossed the bridge from private practice law into the world of professional sport. After graduating from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Laws and completing exchange programs in Shanghai and Denmark, he cut his teeth at top-tier firm Minter Ellison, where years of grinding through clerkships, graduate rotations, and high-pressure corporate work laid the foundation. A pivotal secondment to the Department of Education opened his eyes to in-house life, and sparked the move that changed everything.
He put his hat in the ring for a role at AGPC, beat out the field, and hasn't looked back since, earning multiple promotions in under four years to reach Principal Legal Counsel. He was also named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Sport & Entertainment Awards 2024, and has spoken on the main stage at the ANZLA Sports Law Conference. On top of all this, Chris gives back as a mentor in the SportsGrad Method program.
If you’re looking to swap your corporate skills into a career in sport, tune into this week’s episode with Chris!
We Cover:
(03:18) - Interview starts
(04:39) - Quick Fire Questions
(09:00) - Why Chris wanted to become a lawyer and what his journey looked like
(14:21) - How Chris' role at AGPC came about and how the AGPC is structured
(18:26) - Chris' growth within the AGPC
(20:54) - What Chris' role looks like during and outside of event period
(23:24) - How Chris supports different internal departments
(25:10) - What 'event week' looked like for Chris at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix
(27:53) - Insight into negotiations with F1 Management
(31:07) - What collaboration with other F1 promoters looks like
(32:50) - How does growth in the Legal Team at AGPC come about
(33:28) - What AGPC is doing to deliver the final Moto GP in Phillip Island
(35:38) - What does working at Moto GP with AGPC look like?
(38:24) - Implications of Moto GP moving to Adelaide on the AGPC
(39:29) - What contract negotiations with external partners look like
(42:25) - Chris's role in contract negotiations
(46:28) - What is the impact of AI that Chris has seen in his role
(51:01) - How knowledge of contracts and law helps in grassroots sport committees
(52:18) - Chris' involvement in the ANZLA Association
(54:39) - What makes it difficult to get a job in sport
(55:53) - How Chris decided what career path to take when he was lost for career direction
(01:02:03) - What helped Chris stand out in each of his roles
(01:03:52) - Impact of mentors on Chris' journey
(01:05:16) - How Chris became a mentor in the SportsGrad Method Program
(01:06:54) - How to land a job in sports law in the next 30 days
(01:09:34) - Biggest \" Pinch Me\" moment working in sport
(01:11:33) - What Chris' life would look like if he didn't land a job in sport
(01:12:50) - Which sport is the next to have a 'Drive to Survive' style glow up?
(01:14:08) - Question for next guest
If you like this ep, give these a go next:
#235: How to be the Head of Legal at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Emily Jackson
#243: Living the dream at the NFL, IOC & Brisbane 2032 Olympics with Tom Hickey
#265: From Westpac to the Adelaide Crows FC in 29 days with Community Engagement Manager
Want a job in sport? Click here.
Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok
Follow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok
Thanks for listening, much love!
","author_name":"SportsGrad"}