Northridge Law LLP

Corporate and Commercial

Mike advises clients on a wide range of corporate, financing and commercial matters in the sports and entertainment sectors. He has a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investment transactions and receivables financing. Mike also acts for clients in the sports industry on corporate governance issues and sponsorship arrangements.

Recent work highlights include advising:

• Blue Heaven Holdings on an agreement to sell its majority shareholding in Everton Football Club to The Friedkin Group.
• The Founders of StatsBomb, a global sports data and analytics business, on the sale of the company to Hudl.
• The FA on the transfer of its ownership and operation of the women’s professional game.
• Atairos on acquiring a minority stake in the holding vehicle of Aston Villa.
• Michele Kang on the creation of the world’s first women’s football multi-club ownership platform.
• Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas on their equity arrangements in Como 1907.
• Chelsea FC on its acquisition for £4.25 billion by the Boehly/Clearlake consortium.
• Elliott Advisors on the sale of AC Milan to Redbird Capital Partners.
• Portfolio companies of Bruin Capital (Two Circles and TGI Sport) on their respective acquisitions of TRM Partners and ISG.
• The Welsh Rugby Union on its Professional Rugby Agreement with the regional teams.
• A number of financial institutions on the purchase of transfer fee receivables in European football.

He also works with high-growth technology companies as part of the Northridge TRACK initiative and has particular experience acting for athlete investors participating in early-stage fundraising rounds.

2023 – Present: Partner, Northridge Law LLP

2021 – 2023: Managing Associate, Northridge Law LLP

2018 – 2021: Associate, Northridge Law LLP

2016 – 2018: Associate, Slaughter and May

2014 – 2016: Trainee, Slaughter and May

De Montfort University – BASL Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Law (2016)

BPP Law School – LPC (2014)

University of Cambridge – Master of Philosophy, Development Economics and International Development (2013)

BPP Law School – GDL (2012)

Durham University – Social Sciences, Economics (2011)