Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins and Simpson Thacher advised on Pitchwise Holdings’ acquisition of a 42% stake in Valencia CF.
Pitchwise Holdings, a consortium of private family offices and long-term institutional investors led by experienced sports executives Ann Rodriguez and Corey Woolfolk, is acquiring a 42% minority stake in Valencia CF, one of Spain’s most historic and successful football clubs, through a purchase of shares from Meriton Holdings Limited. The transaction values Valencia CF at an enterprise value of €1.25 billion.
Pitchwise will also provide €100 million in new capital, which will be immediately available for direct investment into the club. Meriton Holdings will remain the club’s majority shareholder. Pitchwise’s investors include George Roberts, co-founder and co-executive chairman of KKR, Penner Sports Group, and Henry Kravis, co-founder and co-executive chairman of KKR.
The investment by Pitchwise is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
Kirkland & Ellis is advising Pitchwise Holdings, a consortium of private family offices and long-term institutional investors, on its acquisition of a 42% minority stake in Valencia CF.
The Kirkland team includes corporate lawyers Alvaro Membrillera, Frank Saviano, Gregory Scott, Carmella Crinnion and Albert Planella i Obach.
Latham & Watkins has advised Meriton Holdings Limited on a new ownership partnership in Valencia CF between Kiat Lim, President of Valencia CF, and Pitchwise Holdings.
The team was led by Singapore Partner Amy Beckingham and Madrid Partner Ignacio Pallarés, with Associates Yiheng Luo, Shi Cheng Chong, Anders Seah and Lucía De Bustos.
Support was provided by London Corporate Partner Hector Sants and London Sports Partner Patrick Mitchell.
Advice was also provided on tax matters by London Partner Simon Skinner, with London Counsel James Leslie and Associate Gunel Latifova.
Simpson Thacher is representing George Roberts, co-founder and co-executive chairman of KKR, in connection with the new ownership partnership in Valencia CF between Kiat Lim, President of Valencia CF, and Pitchwise Holdings.
The team included Naveed Anwar, Michael Kuh, Steven Palyca and Kashmirra Thevar (M&A); Robert Guo, Elliott Im and Wenxiong Zhang (Funds); and Marcy Geller and Jonathan Westreich (Tax).
