SPORTS

Stadium finance

Public finance attorneys handled tax and estate planning logistics for a $20 million private donation to a regional university multi-purpose sports facility. The donation provided a portion of funding for the facility, and attorneys worked to obtain public funding for the remaining amount.

Bond Counsel for collegiate financings
For more than 20 years, public finance attorneys have served as bond counsel for a state's flagship university on all financings. During a period of both rapid university growth and outside economic challenges, public finance attorneys led work on complex financings that accomplished the school's goals regarding new construction and expansion. Thompson Coburn also helped the University improve its credit structure by helping structure a pooled system of auxiliary facilities such as parking, student housing, dining and recreational facilities. This pooled system boosts the University’s creditworthiness by allowing it to obtain a single higher credit rating for all its facilities, rather than lower ratings for the individual facilities.

Thompson Coburn has served as bond counsel on every financing and refinancing of the Edward Jones Dome

In 2012, the firm acted as bond counsel to St. Louis County in relation to financing for the St. Louis Cardinals ballpark. The transaction was a refinancing that saved St. Louis County about $9.5 million on bonds issued to provide a portion of the construction funds for the stadium. The firm also served as bond and special counsel to St. Louis County on the original financing in 2003. The $9.5 million savings allowed St. Louis County to invest in other tourism and convention opportunities.

The Public Finance group represented the sellers of the St. Louis Blues during the 2006 sale of the team to a private equity group.

Public Finance attorneys also worked on the refinancing of the St. Louis Arena, the old home of the St. Louis Blues.

Stadium naming rights

Thompson Coburn represented two major U.S. companies in connection with the naming rights for a major sports and entertainment venue.

The firm assisted a facility-owner client with tax issues related to the renaming of a major football stadium.

The firm worked on naming-rights and contract issues relative to a multi-purpose sports facility.

Sports Law Chair Bob Wallace led the Rams sale and negotiation efforts with Edward Jones for the renaming of the Stadium.

Franchise relocation

Sports Law Group Chair Bob Wallace is among one of the only attorneys in the U.S. to have led the relocation of two NFL teams (the Football Cardinals to Arizona in 1988, and the Rams to St. Louis in 1995). He has experience in the bevy of contractual, legal and political issues that crop up for teams considering a move.

Thompson Coburn’s late partner Thomas F. Eagleton led the St. Louis business community and its efforts during the Rams’ move to St. Louis from Los Angeles.

Real Estate

Handled numerous projects involving land assembly, rezoning, designation by governmental municipality as selected redeveloper, incentive negotiations, redevelopment agreement implementation and design/build contract responsibilities for mixed-use lifestyle/transit-oriented developments.

Multi-property/multi-parcel transactions for a nationwide fast food chain in 26 states totaling more than 500 transactions.

$100 million multistate, multi-property real estate portfolio transaction as part of a strategic corporate acquisition.

Adaptive reuse of an historic warehouse building into 158 dwelling units/commercial space. Work included the land use entitlements, historic preservation work and assistance on economic stimulus incentives.

Leases/vendor agreements

As general counsel and executive vice president of the St. Louis Rams, Sports Law Group Chair Bob Wallace managed the franchise’s operations and business departments, negotiated all vendor contracts, and led all stadium lease negotiations.

Labor & Employment/ Immigration

In his past work for the Philadelphia Eagles, Sports Law Group Chair Bob Wallace negotiated all player contracts and coach contracts.

Representation of players, coaches and executives

For an established front-office NFL executive, we negotiated a successful transfer to another NFL organization.

For an NBA Player, we successfully negotiated a multi-year, multi-million dollar player contract with an NBA team.

For professional basketball players, we have negotiated player contracts with a number of overseas teams, including teams in Europe and Asia.

For professional basketball players, we have negotiated player contracts with a number of NBA Developmental League Teams.

For professional basketball players, we have negotiated real estate transactions, bank loans and lines of credit, and home purchases.

For an NBA player, we successfully negotiated a multi-year, multi-million dollar endorsement contract worth $5 million to $10 million with a Chinese athletic shoe and apparel company. This complex international deal included considerations related to foreign income tax, currency exchange, and player performance benchmarks and bonuses.

For professional athletes, we have established websites and domain names for marketing and promotion.

We have reviewed numerous business ventures and assisted in structuring investment opportunities.

We have developed successful tax strategies for professional athletes and assisted with the creation of a private foundation.

For a player on the Ladies Professional Golfer Association, we have negotiated a multi-year sponsorship agreement.

Wealth Management

For an NBA player, we successfully negotiated a multi-year endorsement contract worth $5 million to $10 million with a Chinese athletic apparel company. This complex international deal included considerations related to foreign income tax, currency exchange, and player performance benchmarks and bonuses.

For an NBA player, we have developed successful tax strategies and assisted with the creation of a private foundation.

For a player on the Ladies Professional Golfer Association, we have negotiated a multi-year sponsorship agreement.

Agency Representation

We serve as primary outside counsel for a Washington, D.C.-based agency with a roster of NBA and professional basketball players and have assisted with the company’s formation, operating agreement, web-hosting and site design agreements and other contracts.