Media, Entertainment & Sports
Want to know where sports investment is headed next?
Strategic investments in new professional sports
Professional sports is currently one of the hottest sectors in the United States, as enterprise valuations of teams continue to dramatically increase. Historically, the preserve of ultra-high-net-worth individuals where investment opportunities arose once in a generation, the relaxation of league shareholding rules, and a growing appetite among institutional investors have fueled a robust and vibrant deal environment.
As high valuations continue to bring more sellers to market in the big four US professional sports of football, basketball, hockey, and baseball, investors that do not have billions at their disposal are starting to look deeper into the sector. We are seeing the interest in emerging sports increasing as investors continue to look for new angles and networks remain hungry for sports content to satisfy viewers.
McDermott Will & Schulte’s Media, Entertainment & Sports Group includes more than 80 lawyers who advise clients on their most significant transactions, operational matters, regulatory issues, and complex litigation. We counsel media and entertainment companies, sports organizations, investors, teams, leagues, rights holders, talent, and other industry participants on the legal and commercial challenges shaping these rapidly evolving industries. Recognized by Chambers, Legal 500, Law360, and Variety, our team combines deep industry knowledge with practical, business-focused guidance to help clients manage risk, seize opportunities, and achieve their strategic objectives.
Take a look at some of our recent high-profile deals:
- Advised Mr. Beast in several high-profile deals, including the opening of the Beast Land amusement park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and various matters relating to Season 2 of Beast Games, the most watched unscripted show in the history of Amazon Prime
- Developed and delivered cutting-edge, anti-harassment programs used around the world in television and film production, including by the Association of Motion Picture Television Production signatories (which includes hundreds of producers and production companies)
- Obtained a directed verdict and court-ordered attorneys’ fees for a large media company in a jury trial of a competitor’s claim that our client and a third competitor conspired to eliminate the plaintiff from the billboard advertising business in central Florida
