Image rights of Ecuadorian football athletes. Towards a fair, clear, and sustainable model

Abstract

This article addresses the urgent need to regulate image rights in Ecuadorian professional football due to the vulnerability faced by players. Its objective was to identify legal gaps and contractual practices that affect footballers concerning the assignment and exploitation of their image rights. To this end, a qualitative approach was applied, with semi-structured interviews with players, former players, lawyers, and representatives, as well as the documentary analysis of contracts and regulations, along with triangulation as a methodological resource. The results show a lack of clear regulation regarding the assignment and exploitation of image rights, evidenced by ambiguous clauses and disproportionate assignments without adequate compensation. It is concluded that it is essential to promote legislative reforms, professionalize contract management, and encourage legal education to strengthen the protection of players' rights and transparency in the sports sector.