New York Islanders – Charity Raffles
Advised the New York Islanders in connection with conducting 50/50 raffles in New York and Connecticut.
Venture Capital Investment
Representing a premier hospitality management company in a high-tech venture capital investment to enhance the stadium experience.
D.C. United – Wayne Rooney Transfer Agreement
Represented Major League Soccer's D.C. United in its permanent transfer agreement with English Premier League superstar Wayne Rooney. Rooney, who was most recently with Everton F.C., scored 208 goals in 16 seasons in the English Premier League — the second most in league history.
UFC – Mayweather v. McGregor Bout
Represented Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as lead counsel, in the August 2017 Floyd Mayweather, Jr. v. Conor McGregor bout at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
D.C. United – Audi Field Financing and Naming Rights
Represented Major League Soccer’s D.C. United in the construction financing and naming rights transactions for the club’s new state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium in Southwest D.C., Audi Field.
Chicago Cubs – CBS Radio Broadcast Rights Agreement
Represented the Chicago Cubs in a multi-year radio license with CBS Radio to broadcast Cubs games on WBBM Newsradio 780AM. The radio license is part of a sports and entertainment partnership that also includes several promotional initiatives across all seven of CBS Radio's local Chicago radio stations and digital and social media platforms. Additionally, the partnership will create and produce live music events at or near Wrigley Field.
New York Racing Association – NYRA Bets National Betting Platform
Represented New York Racing Association in a joint venture formed to conduct the NYRA Bets national advance deposit wagering business.
Envy Gaming – Proposed Sale of eSports Business
Represented Envy Gaming in the proposed sale of a minority equity interest in the organization to a private equity firm consortium and an NBA franchise ownership group.
Capture the League – Corporate Matters
Represented Capture the League, LLC, a multi-game eSports organization, in corporate matters related to preparation of non-player employment and confidentiality agreements, independent contractor agreements, master service agreements and player trades.
Legends Hospitality – Investment by New Mountain Capital
Represented Legends Hospitality, the sports and entertainment joint venture controlled by the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, in a strategic partnership and investment in the company by New Mountain Capital.
Lelands – Jim Brown’s NFL Championship Ring
Represented Lelands in litigation filed in New York federal court by former National Football League player Jim Brown regarding the recovery of a 1964 NFL championship ring alleged to have been stolen.
New York Yankees – $1.5 Billion Stadium Financing
Represented the New York Yankees in the issuance of $1.5 billion in municipal tax-free and taxable bonds by the New York City Industrial Development Agency, which financed the lease and construction of the new Yankee Stadium. We drafted and negotiated the lease agreement for the new stadium, as well as ancillary real estate agreements pertaining to parking lots and garages; construction, demolition and insurance, and public transportation. We were also integrally involved in navigating the Yankees through the lengthy federal, state and local governmental permit and approval process.
New York Racing Association – Not-for-Profit Foundation
Represented New York Racing Association in the formation of a not-for-profit foundation.
Tampa Bay Lightning – Amalie Arena Naming Rights
Represented the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning in its arena naming rights agreement with Amalie Oil Co.
Sports Memorabilia Company – Major League Baseball Trophy Dispute
Represented a sports memorabilia company in an authentication dispute related to Major League Baseball trophies.
Professional Baseball Team – Breach of Contract Litigation
Represented a professional baseball team in a purported breach of contract action by an office equipment leasing company seeking to hold our client liable for financial losses suffered by one of the plaintiff’s independent dealers.
Professional Baseball Team – Summary Judgment in Breach of Contract Dispute
Represented a professional baseball team in securing summary judgment in a federal court litigation arising from the breach of a multi-year advertising agreement with a mobile security firm. The court awarded our client $1.7 million, plus interest and late fees, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.
Professional Baseball Team – Ticket Purchase Agreement Dispute
Represented a professional baseball team in resolving a dispute over a ticket purchase agreement.
Professional Baseball Team – Default Judgment in Advertising Agreement Litigation
Represented a professional baseball team in securing default judgment in litigation arising from a stadium vendor’s breach of an advertising agreement.
eSports Organizations – Corporate Counsel
Provided general corporate counseling for various eSports organizations including start-up team Infinity Core, Team EnVyUS and FlyQuest.
Legends Hospitality – International Stadia Group Acquisition
Represented Legends Hospitality in the acquisition of International Stadia Group, a London-based sports and entertainment company. The acquisition will extend Legend’s global capabilities and allow for growth opportunities in the EAME regions.
Asset Management Co. – Acquisition of Israeli Basketball Team
Represented an asset management company in the proposed acquisition of an interest in a premier professional basketball team located in Jerusalem. The team has won several titles recently, including the EuroCup and the Israeli League championship.
Yankee Global Enterprises – Ownership Transfers
Represented Yankee Global Enterprises, as lead counsel, in connection with various ownership transfers involving the New York Yankees.
Joint Venture for Operation of Stadium Brewery
Represented a professional baseball team affiliate in a proposed joint venture with a leading European craft beer manufacturer for the operation of a brew pub at a major league baseball stadium.
MetLife Stadium – $650 Million Bond Placement
Represented a special purpose entity affiliate of the National Football League's New York Jets and the New York Giants, in a complex public financing for MetLife Stadium that involved the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and local government.
World Surf League – League Ownership, Operations and Surfer Agreements
Represented the World Surf League in establishing the league’s ownership, operations and core investment structures to maximize league value. We also advised the league in the negotiation and development of a form agreement for surfers competing in the WSL Championship Tour, which covered merchandise licensing and media and promotional matters.
Lelands – Roberto Clemente Baseball Card Collection
Represented Lelands in pursuing monetary damages in a breach of contract action concerning a collector's sale of a $500,000 Roberto Clemente baseball card collection.
Legends Hospitality – Los Angeles FC Concessions Agreement
Represented Legends Hospitality in a joint venture with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC to provide concessions services at the team’s new 22,000-seat soccer stadium.
Sterling Equities – Syracuse Chiefs Acquisition
Represented Sterling Equities in the purchase of the Syracuse Chiefs, a Triple-A baseball team in Syracuse, New York.
Investor – Venezia FC Acquisition
Represented sports investor Joe Tacopina in franchise acquisition and ownership matters, including negotiating and structuring his exit as president and co-owner of the Italian soccer club Bologna F.C. 1909, and his ensuing acquisition of Venezia F.C.
Regional Sports Network – High-Yield Note Offering Amendment
Represented a regional sports network in the issuance of $250 million in senior subordinated notes.
Q4 America – Sports Apparel Startup
Representing Q4 America, a Los Angeles-based start-up performance basketball brand, in intellectual property matters related to the development of a new brand of sneakers, sponsorships, athlete endorsements and capital raises.
Yankee Global Enterprises – 21st Century Fox Acquisition of YES Network
Represented the New York Yankees and Yankee Global Enterprises in 21st Century Fox's multi-billion dollar acquisition of a majority stake in the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES Network). The two-step acquisition raised 21st Century Fox's ownership position in the regional sports network to 80 per cent. The remaining 20 per cent stake continues to be held by Yankee Global Enterprises.
Dallas Cowboys Affiliate – New Media Platform
Represented Blue Star Operations Services, an affiliate of the Dallas Cowboys, in building out their new media platform.
$625 Million Secured Term Loan Facility
Represented a leading regional sports network, as borrower, in amending and restating its senior secured term loan facility into a $625 million term loan facility. The proceeds were used for working capital purposes
Regional Sports Network – $24 Million Equipment Lease Financing
Represented a leading regional sports network in a $24 million equipment lease financing facility provided by a major commercial bank.
Major League Sports Team – Dismissal of False Advertising Class Action
Successful defense of a major league professional sports team, obtaining pre-motion dismissal of all claims in a high-profile putative class action alleging deceptive trade practices and false advertising in connection with a very large sale of memorabilia.
New York Racing Association – Integrity Counsel
Representing New York Racing Association (NYRA), in assisting NYRA’s Board of Directors and management in ensuring that NYRA, its officers, employees and operations comply with New York’s Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law §206(5), and AML and Patriot Act concerns. We also assist NYRA on corporate and tax-related matters.
Legends Hospitality – One World Observatory IP Rights
Represented Legends Hospitality in the review, assessment and protection of intellectual property rights in various unique One World Observatory visitor installations, including the Sky Pod elevators, the See Forever Theater and the City Pulse interactive display.
Legends Hospitality – DraftKings Investment
Represented Legends Hospitality in its equity investment in DraftKings, a leading provider of daily fantasy sports contest services.
Legends Hospitality – Live Nation Strategic Partnership
Represented Legends Hospitality in a major strategic partnership with Live Nation to provide concession services at 34 of Live Nation's music venues in North America. The partnership represents one of the largest venue food and beverage contracts in history.
Sports Investor – Lexington Legends MiLB Acquisition
Represented a sports investor in the acquisition of the Kansas City Royals' Class A affiliate Lexington Legends, and the team's home stadium, Whitaker Bank Ballpark.
Baseball Franchise – Term Loan Facility
Represented a major league baseball franchise in a $4 million unsecured term loan facility provided by a national bank. The proceeds will be used to pay various fees and expenses related to the facility and to finance certain projects.
Yankee Global Enterprises – Compensation Plans
Represented Yankee Global Enterprises in the establishment of executive compensation plans.
Sports Investor Group – Buffalo Bills Acquisition Bid
Represented a final round bidder, a consortium of high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors, in the proposed acquisition of the National Football League's Buffalo Bills, and in related stadium issues and compliance matters with the NFL constitution.
New York Yankees – BOC SPE Analysis
Analysis of MLB league-wide proposal to provide the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball with greater oversight and involvement in MLB team bankruptcy and other insolvency proceedings.
New York City FC – Soccer Stadium Development
Represented an affiliate of New York City Football Club in a memorandum of understanding with the City of New York for the financing, development and construction of a new soccer stadium.
Legends Hospitality – New Technology Investment
Represented Legends Hospitality in a proposed investment in software that consolidates sports franchise data.
World Freerunning & Parkour – Internal Restructuring
Represented World Freerunning & Parkour Federation in internal restructuring and in providing general corporate advice.
Syndicated Lender – $1.4 Billion NHL Credit Facility
Represented a national bank, as syndicate lender, in the NHL league-wide credit facilities consisting of a $990 million senior secured revolving credit facility and a $410 million delayed draw secured term loan facility.
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