The Firm represented OneTeam Partners (“OneTeam”) in connection with its recapitalization by HPS Investment Partners (“HPS”), Atlantic Park Strategic Capital Fund (“Atlantic Park”) and Morgan Stanley Tactical Value (“Morgan Stanley”). HPS, Atlantic Park and Morgan Stanley replace Redbird Capital Partners (“Redbird”) as investment partners in OneTeam. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
OneTeam launched in 2019 as a joint venture between NFL Players Association, MLB Players Association and RedBird to maximize the collective value of athletes’ rights through group licensing, marking, media and other ventures. Since 2019, OneTeam has become a leading global sports licensing, marketing, media and investment company representing the commercial interests of more than 10,000 players of the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, U.S. Women’s National Team PA, WNBPA, NWSLPA and U.S. Rugby PA, as well as college athletes.
The Simpson Thacher team included Brian Steinhardt, Jackie Song, Kyle Nelson, Alec Kohli and Taylor Nefussy (Credit); Patrick Naughton and Robert Harrison (M&A); Larry Moss, Jeanne Annarumma and Laura Gallo (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation); Benjamin Rippeon and Michael Mann (Tax); and Jessica Cohen, Courtney Welshimer and Melanie Jolson (Intellectual Property).