The transaction:
- International law firm McDermott Will & Emery represented Calvin Ford in connection with his acquisition of a controlling stake in Livingston Football Club (Livingston FC). In connection with the transaction, Mr. Ford was appointed as the Club’s new Chairman.
Team background:
- Livingston FC, originally founded as Ferranti Thistle in 1943, relocated from Edinburgh to West Lothian in 1995 and quickly ascended through all three Scottish football sub-divisions before reaching the Championship division in 2001.
- More recently, after five consecutive seasons in Scottish Premiership division, Livingston FC relegated to the Championship division in 2024.
- On May 26, 2025, just one week following Mr. Ford’s purchase, Livingston FC secured an historic victory over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership play-off, overturning a two-goal deficit, to return to the Scottish Premiership division.
Why it matters:
- Ford’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Livingston FC represents a strategic investment in one of Scotland’s fast improving football franchises. With a focus on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and brand development, Ford’s leadership is poised to unlock new commercial opportunities, enhance the Club’s competitive standing, and deliver long-term value for stakeholders across the football and local business communities.
The McDermott cross-border team was led by Tom Conaghan (US), Thomas Ammermann (Germany) and Emelia Clode (UK). Graham White (UK) and Greg Berson (US) provided invaluable assistance to the team.
Scott Bowman is the relationship partner for Calvin Ford.
Read Livingston Football Club’s announcement.
About McDermott’s Family Office Capital & Investment Strategies (FOCIS) Group
FOCIS is a multi-practice team that draws on the experience of our Private Client, Tax, and Transactional lawyers to provide creative and holistic solutions across all levels of a family wealth structure with respect to direct investing across all industries, including sports and entertainment. We take a comprehensive and multi-level approach to achieve enhanced economic returns through optimal planning for families, returns that might otherwise be lost when working with external advisors with a narrower lens.
About McDermott’s Sports Law Group
For more than 30 years, McDermott has represented owners, investors, players, teams, and sports venues across the globe in a wide range of leagues—including the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), and PGA TOUR. We handle their most critical transactional and non-transactional matters.
Our experience spans from minority investments in teams to the acquisition and sale of controlling stakes in franchises. McDermott brings deep, cross-disciplinary expertise to bear in addressing complex tax, real estate, intellectual property, and labor law challenges. By leveraging our top-tier M&A, tax, and private client capabilities, we deliver a problem-solving, client-focused approach to the evolving landscape of the sports industry.
