Pinsent Masons advises Everton FC on its sale to US based The Friedkin Group
25 Sep 2024 | 08:48 am | 1 min. read
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised longstanding client Everton FC throughout the process of securing new ownership for the club, culminating in the recent announcement of an agreement for the sale of a majority interest to US-based The Friedkin Group.
The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, including from the Premier League and the Financial Conduct Authority, is a hallmark deal for the club, ahead of their move to their new home at Bramley-Moore Dock. The Pinsent Masons team was led by partners James Kaye and Tom Leman, supported by Julian Diaz Rainey as client partner and Trevor Watkins, head of the firm's global sports advisory team. The multi-specialist PM team also included Matthew Clayton-Stead, Phil Chee and Lawrence Hopkins.
Katie Charles, Chief Legal Counsel at Everton FC commented, "We have very much relied upon the insight, pragmatism, support and value the Pinsent Masons team have brought to us throughout this transaction and the various developments over the last couple of years. It has been invaluable."
Commenting on the deal, James Kaye said, "We are very pleased to have worked with the excellent team at Everton to deliver a transaction which should provide stability and opportunity for a club that has been such a feature of the top flight of English football.
Tom Leman added, "Everton FC are a great club and we were thrilled to advise the board and use our legal excellence, sector deal experience and significant depth of resource to help get this transaction across the line.
This latest transaction the firm has advised on builds on a track record of advising on sports related matters - including having advised Tom Ricketts, owner of the Chicago Cubs on his group's bid for Chelsea FC, US investor ALK Capital on their acquisition of Premier League side Burnley FC, AFC Bournemouth owner Black Knight Football and Entertainment headed by Las Vegas Knights owner Bill Foley on their acquisition of a minority stake into French side Lorient FC, Chicago based PEAK6 in relation to their investments into Premier League sides AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, US owner JMI Sports on multiple projects and Championship side Plymouth Argyle FC on the sale of a minority stake.
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