Sports Finance
Building on the strength of our syndicated finance practice group, the firm’s sports finance attorneys combine legal acumen with a deep understanding of the sports industry’s business drivers to support clients across a range of matters, projects and transactions. We have a track record closing high-stakes deals, with end-to-end representation that includes valuation analysis, capital structure and ownership, tax-efficient financing strategies, regulatory approvals from leagues and governing bodies, and risk allocation and liability management.
While McGuireWoods’ experienced counsel extends across the sports finance landscape, we have had noteworthy success developing and employing complex, innovative financing techniques to achieve clients’ infrastructure and facility objectives. We were early innovators in using P3, special assessments and tax increment financings (TIFs), special revenue, tax and assessment pledges, lease financings, tax and revenue anticipation vehicles, real estate secured loans, and moral obligation pledges and other subject-to-appropriation financings. In conjunction with affiliate McGuireWoods Consulting, the national leader in public-private partnerships, we wrote the model enabling legislation used in multiple states and helped sports industry clients develop significant projects across the country.
The team represents financial institutions providing financial support to professional sports teams, major league entities, controlling owners, potential buyers, minority interests, stadium companies and parent companies of a professional sports organization. Our lawyers negotiate and structure team facilities, acquisition financing, stadium construction and renovation facilities, leaguewide credit facilities and controlling owner facilities. Our skills and services expand across multiple platforms to include UCC compliance, personal guarantees, accommodation pledges of team ownership equity, league consent and construction monitoring.
With innovation, sophistication and the complementary, integrated talents of our sports Industry, finance, real estate, and P3, TIF and infrastructure teams, McGuireWoods’ sports finance practice counsels clients navigating the financial dimensions of professional and collegiate sports.
Nationwide ranking for sports law.
– Chambers USA
Named a “Sports Practice Group of the Year.”
– Law360
Named “Power Player: Sports Lawyers & Outside Counsel.”
– Sports Business Journal
Ranked among the top firms for advising lenders in debt finance transactions.
– London Stock Exchange Group, Bloomberg and Debtwire League Tables
Nationwide and regional rankings for banking and finance.
– Chambers USA
