"He has unique experience and a depth of knowledge."
Chambers USA 2023
"Frank is an extremely bright lawyer."
Chambers USA 2023
"He is solid in his advice, responsive and incredibly efficient."
Chambers USA 2022
"He is a sought-out attorney by major associations and teams."
Chambers USA 2021
Trailblazer – Sports, Gaming & Entertainment Law
The National Law Journal 2021
Power Players
Sports Business Journal 2021
Profile
Frank Saviano advises on complex and business-critical corporate matters in the sports and media industry.
Frank counsels leading participants in the sports and media industry ranging from major sports leagues, professional sports teams, and team owners to private equity firms, financial institutions, sports media networks, and sports-adjacent companies. Frank regularly advises on:
Professional sports franchise investments, acquisitions, and sales
Sports and media-related M&A
Media rights
Joint ventures
Strategic investments
Sponsorships and other significant commercial transactions
Arena and stadium development
Sports gambling transactions
League governance and rules
Frank currently serves on the firm's Associates Committee.
Accolades
Frank has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the sports industry by a number of publications, including Variety (which named him in its 2017 Dealmakers Elite list and 2019-2020 Dealmakers Impact Report), Leaders in Sport, Chambers USA, Law360, The Legal 500, Euromoney, Sports Business Journal (which selected him for the publication’s Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame, after naming him to the Forty Under 40 list for 2015, 2018, and 2019), and The National Law Journal 2021 who named him as a NLJ Trailblazer for Sports, Gaming & Entertainment Law.
Experience
Frank’s experience includes representing:
Sports Team M&A
Carlyle in its investment in Seattle Reign FC, an NWSL franchise
Mark Cuban in the sale of the controlling interest in the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson and Dumont families
Dynasty Equity in its investment in Liverpool F.C.
Sixth Street in its acquisition of Bay FC, an NWSL expansion franchise
Endeavor in its sale of the Rio Open ATP 500 tournament to Mubadala
Diamond Baseball Holdings, a Silver Lake portfolio company, in the acquisition of over 25 MLB Professional Development League Clubs
Endeavor in the acquisition of multiple MLB Professional Development League Clubs and the creation of Diamond Baseball Holdings and subsequent sale of Diamond Baseball Holdings to Silver Lake
Owners of the Carolina Panthers in the sale to David Tepper
Shahid Khan in his acquisition of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Alan Kestenbaum in an investment in the Atlanta Falcons
The NBA in its acquisition and subsequent sale of the New Orleans Hornets
Olympique Lyonnais Groupe in its acquisition of Reign FC
Dyal Capital in various investments in the Sacramento Kings and the Atlanta Hawks
Michael Dell in an investment in the San Antonio Spurs
Michael Dell in an investment in the WNBA
Stan Middleman in an investment in the Philadelphia Phillies
Sports and Media Strategic M&A & Joint Ventures
EverPass Media, a RedBird Capital Partners portfolio company, in its acquisition of UPshow and investment by TKO Group Holdings
Houston Rockets in the acquisition of AT&T SportsNet Southwest with the Houston Astros
TWG Global (holding company of Mark Walter) and Billie Jean King Enterprises in a joint venture with the International Tennis Federation to form the Billie Jean King Cup (the women’s World Cup of Tennis).
RedBird Capital Partners in a transaction with the NFL to form EverPass Media
Sixth Street in the creation of the Soccer Champions Tour
888 Holdings in its exclusive US sports betting partnership with the Sports Illustrated brand and related equity issuance
Blackstone Tactical Opportunities in its investment in Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES)
Soccer United Marketing in an investment by Providence Equity Partners and the subsequent repurchase of Providence Equity’s stake
Bruin Sports Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in a transaction with the NFL to form On Location Experiences
Bruin Sports Capital in its acquisition of deltatre, a sports digital media company
Owners of the Detroit Pistons in the formation of 313 Presents, an entertainment joint venture with the owners of the Red Wings to manage concert venues in the greater Detroit area
Other Significant Transactions
Media rights transactions for major sports leagues, teams and networks, including NASCAR, Pac-12 Conference, Big East Conference, MLS, United States Soccer Federation, the USGA, the Detroit Pistons, and the CW Network
Dapper Labs in transactions with the NBA for “NBA Top Shot” and NFL for “NFL All Day” NFT offerings
The New York Islanders in the lease and development of the Belmont Park Arena
NASCAR in the development of its landmark charter membership system with its Sprint Cup Series teams
The Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee in its partnership with NBCUniversal for the sale of Olympic sponsorship opportunities
The BIG EAST Conference in the establishment of the “new” BIG EAST Conference, including its agreement with Madison Square Garden and negotiations with incoming member institutions
The Detroit Pistons in arena lease negotiations for their relocation to the Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit
Frank Saviano recognized by the National Law Journal for cutting-edge work at the intersection of sports, media, mobile betting, and the emerging market for non-fungible token collectibles.
New York partner recognized for cutting-edge work at the intersection of sports, media, mobile betting, and the emerging market for non-fungible token collectibles.
Entertainment, Sports & Media partners Adam Sullins and Frank Saviano discuss with Bloomberg Law how private equity investments in non-traditional sports are driving significant M&A activity in the sector.
Multidisciplinary team represents the Redbird Capital-backed company in deal allowing NFL SUNDAY TICKET to be streamed at commercial businesses for the first time ever.
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