Specialist Sports Law Team at Walker Morris advise on Leeds United FC sale
4th January 2017
Sports Team reinforces its national reputation for football club acquisitions/sales with the latest sale of Leeds United FC
Specialist sports lawyers at Walker Morris have advised Eleonora Sport Limited on the sale of 50% of the shares in Leeds United Football Club Limited to Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd, ultimately owned by Italian businessman Mr Andrea Radrizzani.
Following the acquisition Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd will be co-owner with Eleonora Sport Limited, which is run by the Cellino family, which retains a 50% stake.
The deal reaffirms the Walker Morris Sports Team’s national reputation as one of the UK’s leading sports law practices. In the last 18 months alone the team has advised on three Premier League and seven Championship club acquisitions/sales including Crystal Palace FC, Leeds United FC, Reading FC, Bolton Wanderers FC and Sale Sharks Rugby Club.
David Hinchliffe, Head of Sport at Walker Morris, led a multi-disciplinary team of sports law specialists. Commenting on the deal he said:
“This acquisition is great news for everyone involved with Leeds United including the club, the players and the fans. The club has a strong heritage and a clear aim to return to the Premier League. Mr Radrizzani has, alongside Massimo Cellino, offered his full support to manager Garry Monk and both owners are committed to making Leeds United as successful as possible.
“The Walker Morris Sports Group is delighted to start 2017 with the same run of success it had in 2016 and continues to build on its national reputation for managing complex football club acquisitions through to a successful conclusion. We are very proud to have been involved in this particular deal, which will provide a platform for Leeds United to regain its place as a football giant.”
Commenting on the transaction Mr Cellino said:
“The Walker Morris team has worked really well with the Club for the past few years, so we were delighted to have their support again.
“This was a complex transaction and Walker Morris delivered commercial, pragmatic advice throughout. Their strategic and innovative thinking ensured the transaction was completed.”
The Walker Morris Team was led by David Hinchliffe, including Christian Slinger and was supported by Owen Ormond (Finance), Nicola Parkinson (Tax), Jeremy Moore, Andrew Maclean (Real Estate) and John Hamer (Corporate).
