Cambridge United Adopts AI for Player Contract Management
Cambridge United has become the first professional football club to manage player contracts using Artificial Intelligence. The club partnered with Genie AI, a Cambridge-based legal-tech company, to automate the drafting, reviewing, and tracking of contracts for players, employees, and commercial agreements.
This partnership aims to reduce the time and cost associated with external legal services. With the transfer window closing on 1st September at 19:00 BST, several player signings are set to benefit from faster contract processing.
How Genie AI Supports Contract Management
Genie AI’s platform uses the club’s pre-approved language to draft and review contracts automatically. It highlights variations in clauses and suggests corrections within seconds. Early tests on supplier and player contracts show that legal review cycles could shrink from weeks to just days.
This efficiency allows Cambridge United’s staff to focus more on player recruitment, innovation, and improving the fan experience.
Local Innovation Meets Football
Both Cambridge United and Genie AI are local success stories, highlighting Cambridge’s reputation as a hub for AI and technology innovation. The collaboration reflects strong connections between the city’s tech industry and its sporting institutions.
Alex Tunbridge, CEO of Cambridge United, said, “Partnering with a home-grown innovator like Genie AI keeps us at the forefront. If we can maintain legal quality while saving time and money, that’s a smart way to reinvest in players, facilities, and our matchday community.”
Rafie Faruq, Co-Founder and CEO of Genie AI, added, “Helping the Club sign players in line with EFL regulations through AI is a real pleasure. The challenges Cambridge United faces—accuracy, speed, fairness—are common to many organisations. Our technology lets them focus on the pitch while we handle the paperwork.”
Implementation and Future Plans
The Genie AI system will be fully rolled out across the club this month. Player signings and sponsorship agreements will serve as live test cases. Both partners plan to share the outcomes with the wider football community later this season.
Industry Context: AI in Football Contract Management
Research shows no other professional football club has publicly confirmed using AI specifically for drafting, reviewing, or negotiating player contracts. While AI is used in scouting, recruitment, and performance analysis by some clubs, direct application to contract management remains unconfirmed.
- No football club has publicly stated using AI for player contract drafting or negotiation.
- AI is occasionally applied to related areas influencing contract decisions, such as player scouting.
- Cambridge United’s adoption is a first known instance of AI managing player contracts end-to-end.
Why This Matters for Management Professionals
Integrating AI into contract workflows can cut legal turnaround times and reduce external costs—benefits relevant beyond football. For managers, this shows how AI can streamline administrative processes, freeing teams to focus on core business activities.
Understanding how AI tools fit into contract management could inform smarter decisions about resource allocation and operational efficiency. For those interested in AI applications across business functions, exploring platforms like Genie AI offers practical insights.
For more on AI tools and training that can help managers stay ahead, visit Complete AI Training.
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