Russell Benjamin Hedman

Russell’s representative work includes advising:

Representative Control Transactions in Sports

• The Walton-Penner ownership group on the acquisition of the Denver Broncos (NFL) from the Pat Bowlen Trust, reported as the highest-value sports franchise transaction in US history at the time*
• Estate of Paul G. Allen in connection with the pending sale of the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) to Tom Dundon, along with Marc Zahr and other investors*
• Glen Taylor in certain matters relating to the change-of-control sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) and the Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)*
• Controlling owner Rob Cohen on the successful expansion bid for the Denver Summit FC, a newly established team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL)*
• Onexim in every ownership transaction involving the Brooklyn Nets (NBA) from 2013-2019, including:
  • Onexim’s multi-staged buyout of the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclays Center from Forest City Ratner
  • Onexim’s sale of a 49.9% interest in the Brooklyn Nets to an entity controlled by Joe Tsai
  • Onexim’s sale of its remaining interest in the Brooklyn Nets and a 100% interest in the Barclays Center to an entity controlled by Joe Tsai in the fall of 2019, reported as the highest-value sports franchise transaction in US history at the time*

Representative Non-Control Transactions in Sports

• The Pohlad family in the sale of equity in the Minnesota Twins (MLB) to numerous investors, including Glick Family Investments, George G. Hicks, and Craig Leipold*
• Fenway Sports Group and a consortium of American sports team owners in their investment of up to US$3 billion in PGA TOUR Enterprises and strategic collaboration with the PGA TOUR*
• Joe Tsai and Ollie Weisberg, owners of the Brooklyn Nets, in a strategic investment in the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and F1 Miami Grand Prix, and subsequent follow-on transactions, including in respect of the investment in the Miami Open*
• The Edwards family in connection with the acquisition of a substantial minority interest in the Columbus Crew (MLS)*
• San Antonio Spurs (NBA) on a recapitalization involving investments in the team from Sixth Street and Michael Dell*

Women’s Sports

• Numerous team owners and investors in connection with expansion bids, investments, and equity syndications in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams*
• Numerous current and prospective owners in connection with acquisition bids, control sales, expansion bids, and investments in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) teams*
• Investors in several cross-border investments into Women’s Super League (WSL) teams, including advising Marc Zahr on his investment in Aston Villa W.F.C., among other confidential transactions*

Expansion Teams and Emerging Leagues

• Dynasty Equity in connection with co-leading the Series A investment round into TMRW Sports and TGL presented by SoFi*
• Rob Walton, Jordan Rose, and Kal Somani in connection with their investments in the Motor City Golf Club expansion team, as well as numerous other investors in connection with investments into TGL*
• Multiple parties in connection with confidential investments and prospective transactions involving Kings League, SailGP, Major League Table Tennis (MLTT), the National Lacrosse League, and other properties*

Representative Transactions for Private Equity Sponsors

• Mountaingate Capital in numerous platform investments, add-ons, and exits, including in respect of:
  • Bond Brand Loyalty*
  • Relevate Health*
  • Damotech*
  • Bravida (formerly BioDerm)*
  • Anteriad (formerly MeritDirect)*
• Funds managed by O’Connor Capital Solutions in the sale of its minority stake in McLaren Racing Limited (Formula 1) to McLaren Group Limited*
• Beijer Ref AB, a global HVAC distributor and formerly a portfolio company of EQT, in numerous acquisitions, including the acquisition of Heritage Distribution from Gryphon Investors for approximately US$1.275 billion in cash*
• SymBiosis Capital in various transactions, including the spinout of the fund and confidential investments in the US, China, Spain, and other jurisdictions worldwide*
• KRG Capital in numerous transactions, including in respect of:
  • Convergint*
  • Vention Medical*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham