Squire Patton Boggs has advised Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and its owner Milan Mandaric on the sale of the club to Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri, whose family controls the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of tuna as well as one of the largest general seafood producers worldwide.
The transaction, to be ratified by the Football League, sees Mr. Chansiri acquire 100% of the shareholding in the football club. Mr. Mandaric commented: “Once the final details and Football League approval have been concluded I will step down as Chairman and as a director but will retain an advisory role; wherever Dejphon needs my help, I will only be too pleased to assist.”
Squire Patton Boggs’ team was led by Corporate partner David Hull in London, assisted by senior associate Mark Yeo. Mr. Hull advised long-standing client Milan Mandaric on the purchase of Sheffield Wednesday in December 2010 and, prior to that, on the sale of Leicester City Football Club in August 2010.
“English football clubs maintain their cachet in the international sports business arena,” commented Mr. Hull. “So while the M&A market has been slower there continues to be interest among several prominent international buyers.”
The sale of Sheffield Wednesday is the latest in a series of football club transactions led by David Hull. In July 2013 he acted for Shahid Khan in his purchase of Fulham Football Club. Other recent work has included advising Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime Minister of Thailand, on the recommended takeover of Manchester City Football Club, and also that club’s later sale to the Abu Dhabi royal family; representing Aston Villa Football Club on its recommended takeover by RAL, backed by Randy Lerner; and advising Venkateshwara Hatcheries on the acquisition of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.