Various: Mike Ashley in talks with Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan

[Kanji]

In fact he probably is involved:

 

In addition to his time as Chairman of Newcastle United, Chris leads our sports practice and has advised on numerous matters in the sports sector, such as the enforced changes of ownership at both Liverpool and West Ham United, CVC on its acquisition of Formula One Administration, on aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Games and numerous stakeholders (such as clubs, owners, sponsors, retailers, gaming companies and broadcasters) on their interests in the sports sector.

 

It will depend on what else he's working on and if he's already working for someone else on another deal under an exclusivity agreement. Unlikely I would guess so probably involved.

 

The firm working for Ashley advised Sir John Hall on his sale to Ashley.

 

 

 

Surely use of these two particular firms shows just how serious both parties are about making a deal.

 

He is according to legalweek.com - very reputable legal news site.

 

Not sure if it show's up or not so copy and pasting link contents here: This was on legalweek.com this morning - http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2017/11/21/freshfields-and-dentons-up-front-on-takeover-bid-for-newcastle-united-fc/

 

 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Dentons are playing the lead roles on PCP Capital Partners’ takeover offer for Newcastle United Football Club.

 

It was widely reported yesterday (20 November) that PCP had made a bid in the region of £300m for the Premier Legal club late last week, although the exact value of the offer has been disputed.

 

Newcastle’s owner, Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley, announced last month that he was considering a sale after 10 years of ownership.

 

The club, which he purchased for £133m in 2007, is currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League after returning to English football’s top flight this summer following its relegation in 2016.

 

A competitive bidding process is now underway, with a number of interested parties taking part.

 

Dentons is advising Ashley on the bids, with real estate partner Andrew Henderson leading the firm’s team alongside corporate partners Richard Barham and Matt Tinger.

 

PCP, which is led by CEO Amanda Staveley, has turned to Freshfields for advice. Private equity partner Charles Hayes and corporate partner Christopher Mort are leading the magic circle firm’s team on the bid.

 

Mort also led the Freshfields team that advised Ashley on his takeover of the club in 2007. He was subsequently appointed as club chairman, taking a year-long sabbatical from Freshfields to fill the role.

 

Dentons also played a role on the 2007 deal, advising Newcastle United president Sir John Hall on the sale of his stake to Ashley, with corporate partner and current UK CEO Jeremy Cohen heading up the firm’s team.

 

Real estate partner Henderson has acted for Ashley’s company Sports Direct on a series of property deals, including its acquisition of 161-167 Oxford Street and 36 Poland Street for £108m and its £44m disposal of an office block to the University of Westminster.

 

In a statement, Dentons said: “We are delighted to be engaged on such an important and high-profile instruction, which demonstrates our multidisciplinary strengths, our expertise in the sporting sector and our role as key business advisers to our clients.” Freshfields declined to comment.

 

Ashley also regularly turns to City firm RPC, which advised him on his recent High Court win against investment banker Jeffrey Blue. The case hinged on the allegation that during a night of heavy drinking, Ashley had promised Blue £15m if he could boost Sports Direct’s share price from £4 to £8.

 

PCP, meanwhile, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Barclays over a controversial $3bn capital-raising exercise by the bank at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.

 

At the time, Barclays held discussions with both PCP and Qatar Holding, then the bank’s largest shareholder. PCP alleges that Barclays acted dishonestly with regards to the different terms offered to Qatar Holding for participation in the capital raising and is claiming hundreds of millions of pounds in damages.

 

US firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is acting for PCP on the dispute, while Simmons & Simmons is representing Barclays.

[Greg]

In fact he probably is involved:

 

In addition to his time as Chairman of Newcastle United, Chris leads our sports practice and has advised on numerous matters in the sports sector, such as the enforced changes of ownership at both Liverpool and West Ham United, CVC on its acquisition of Formula One Administration, on aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Games and numerous stakeholders (such as clubs, owners, sponsors, retailers, gaming companies and broadcasters) on their interests in the sports sector.

 

It will depend on what else he's working on and if he's already working for someone else on another deal under an exclusivity agreement. Unlikely I would guess so probably involved.

 

The firm working for Ashley advised Sir John Hall on his sale to Ashley.

 

 

 

Surely use of these two particular firms shows just how serious both parties are about making a deal.

 

He is according to legalweek.com - very reputable legal news site.

 

Not sure if it show's up or not so copy and pasting link contents here: This was on legalweek.com this morning - http://www.legalweek.com/sites/legalweek/2017/11/21/freshfields-and-dentons-up-front-on-takeover-bid-for-newcastle-united-fc/

 

 

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Dentons are playing the lead roles on PCP Capital Partners’ takeover offer for Newcastle United Football Club.

 

It was widely reported yesterday (20 November) that PCP had made a bid in the region of £300m for the Premier Legal club late last week, although the exact value of the offer has been disputed.

 

Newcastle’s owner, Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley, announced last month that he was considering a sale after 10 years of ownership.

 

The club, which he purchased for £133m in 2007, is currently sitting in 11th place in the Premier League after returning to English football’s top flight this summer following its relegation in 2016.

 

A competitive bidding process is now underway, with a number of interested parties taking part.

 

Dentons is advising Ashley on the bids, with real estate partner Andrew Henderson leading the firm’s team alongside corporate partners Richard Barham and Matt Tinger.

 

PCP, which is led by CEO Amanda Staveley, has turned to Freshfields for advice. Private equity partner Charles Hayes and corporate partner Christopher Mort are leading the magic circle firm’s team on the bid.

 

Mort also led the Freshfields team that advised Ashley on his takeover of the club in 2007. He was subsequently appointed as club chairman, taking a year-long sabbatical from Freshfields to fill the role.

 

Dentons also played a role on the 2007 deal, advising Newcastle United president Sir John Hall on the sale of his stake to Ashley, with corporate partner and current UK CEO Jeremy Cohen heading up the firm’s team.

 

Real estate partner Henderson has acted for Ashley’s company Sports Direct on a series of property deals, including its acquisition of 161-167 Oxford Street and 36 Poland Street for £108m and its £44m disposal of an office block to the University of Westminster.

 

In a statement, Dentons said: “We are delighted to be engaged on such an important and high-profile instruction, which demonstrates our multidisciplinary strengths, our expertise in the sporting sector and our role as key business advisers to our clients.” Freshfields declined to comment.

 

Ashley also regularly turns to City firm RPC, which advised him on his recent High Court win against investment banker Jeffrey Blue. The case hinged on the allegation that during a night of heavy drinking, Ashley had promised Blue £15m if he could boost Sports Direct’s share price from £4 to £8.

 

PCP, meanwhile, is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Barclays over a controversial $3bn capital-raising exercise by the bank at the height of the 2008 financial crisis.

 

At the time, Barclays held discussions with both PCP and Qatar Holding, then the bank’s largest shareholder. PCP alleges that Barclays acted dishonestly with regards to the different terms offered to Qatar Holding for participation in the capital raising and is claiming hundreds of millions of pounds in damages.

 

US firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan is acting for PCP on the dispute, while Simmons & Simmons is representing Barclays.

 

[Greg]

In fact he probably is involved:

 

In addition to his time as Chairman of Newcastle United, Chris leads our sports practice and has advised on numerous matters in the sports sector, such as the enforced changes of ownership at both Liverpool and West Ham United, CVC on its acquisition of Formula One Administration, on aspects of the London 2012 Olympic Games and numerous stakeholders (such as clubs, owners, sponsors, retailers, gaming companies and broadcasters) on their interests in the sports sector.

 

It will depend on what else he's working on and if he's already working for someone else on another deal under an exclusivity agreement. Unlikely I would guess so probably involved.

 

The firm working for Ashley advised Sir John Hall on his sale to Ashley.

 

 

 

Surely use of these two particular firms shows just how serious both parties are about making a deal.

 

Agreed.

[Minhosa]

The involvement of Freshfields in all this can only be a very good thing Shirley? Nothing to say Chris Mort is involved personally but it's a third party that has knowledge of both NUFC and Ashley.

 

Deffo a good thing in terms of historic due diligence too. He'll have a really good understanding of the way the club is run I should imagine.

[Dr Venkman]

Just caught up on the last 20 pages, this thread has everything

 

I'm getting FUCKING MORTAL if this goes through.

[relámpago blanco]

Just caught up on the last 20 pages, this thread has everything

 

I'm getting FUCKING MORTAL if this goes through.

N-O piss up the day it occurs.

[Odear]

SSN just delivered an ‘update’.

 

Basically that negotiations are ongoing. Nowt new.

 

Interested to see what Odin thinks of this

 

I think another month will go by before we have any real update on the situation.

 

Also even if it does go through in late December / early January, it shouldn’t effect the transfer window.

 

Remember when City were taken over.. they wrote some sort of promissory note so that they could sign Robinho.

 

Even if the takeover isn’t completed, if a buyer is serious they should be able to do this so that we can invest to stay up.

 

You've changed your tune.

 

Not about the media. I still don’t trust the quality of the information which is why I’m waiting for something more credible before getting excited.

 

But I’ve seen enough now to suggest that it’s actually in the process.

[robm]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

[Ikon]

Nah, support the team now instead of wasting energy on him

[Dokko]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

 

Aye, that'll help things move along nicely.

[Stifler]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

Would receiving stick make him sell up or make him be inclined to be more vindictive? Even if he has set his mind to sell up then he could easily decide to make the sale of the club more difficult. If anything a bit of praise towards Staveley/PCP Partners would be less risky.

[Klaus]

He would cut off his own nose to spite his face, and would pull the plug on the deal.

[robm]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

 

Aye, that'll help things move along nicely.

Thought that was why the £300million was leaked to get the supporters on Ashleys back.

[Joe_F]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

 

No point really he must know what'll come his way if this doesn't go through.

[Dave]

Nah, support the team now instead of wasting energy on him

 

Agreed. Ashley knows what we think of him at this point, we want the club to be desirable.

[Dokko]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

 

Aye, that'll help things move along nicely.

Thought that was why the £300million was leaked to get the supporters on Ashleys back.

 

The leak came from Ashley’s camp. TBH both camps are so close its all a bit inbred.

[robm]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he fucks this up.

 

No point really he must know what'll come his way if this doesn't go through.

Just think  he is getting away far too easily with the shit he has pulled. Acting like he can turn down a reasonable offer and go back to the way things were. He should be getting dogs abuse.

[Robster]

Just think  he is getting away far too easily with the shit he has pulled. Acting like he can turn down a reasonable offer and go back to the way things were. He should be getting dogs abuse.

As has been said, it's all about showing any potential new owners what the support at this club is like and not creating a poisonous atmosphere for a bloke who is unlikely to even be there.

Needs to be loud in support of Rafa and the team.

[Kaizero]

I was wrong then.

 

What a wanker.

 

First we find out Piers Morgan is a sex offender and now Haydn is a liar. What next?

Hads on, Haydn's a liar. And also I learnt earlier on that buyers are liars.

 

 

Could it be?

 

[tmonkey]

The involvement of Freshfields in all this can only be a very good thing Shirley? Nothing to say Chris Mort is involved personally but it's a third party that has knowledge of both NUFC and Ashley.

 

Love it - it's a bit cutthroat from Staveley to use a guy Ashley had seemingly fallen out with (re: the non payment by Ashley to Mort). Ashley must hate that Mort is the one leading negotiations for Staveley against his lot, sitting there smiling at Mike whenever Mike on his way to get some kit kats drifts past the see through office room walls they're all camped in. Staveley is like the lawyer Kobayashi from Usual Suspects, she's probably hired everyone Ashley has ever fallen out with or loved, and reveals them one by one like cards up her sleeve with veiled threats leaving helpless Mike waking up in cold sweats every night.

 

All joking aside,it's the sort of intelligent move you'd expect of a competent business leader. Hire the lawyers who have a great deal of inside knowledge about the club, the tricks Ashley uses, and one with a partner that almost certainly has a slight grudge against Ashley.

[Dave]

What did he fall out with Mort about? Can't remember.

[robm]

Just think  he is getting away far too easily with the shit he has pulled. Acting like he can turn down a reasonable offer and go back to the way things were. He should be getting dogs abuse.

As has been said, it's all about showing any potential new owners what the support at this club is like and not creating a poisonous atmosphere for a bloke who is unlikely to even be there.

Needs to be loud in support of Rafa and the team.

Why do you think they leaked the 300 million bid story since denied by Ashley?

[madras]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he f***s this up.

 

Aye, that'll help things move along nicely.

Thought that was why the £300million was leaked to get the supporters on Ashleys back.

 

The leak came from Ashley’s camp. TBH both camps are so close its all a bit inbred.

Never heard that mind. Not saying they didn't but I thought we didn't know which side leaked.

[robm]

Does nobody else think Ashley should get some abuse on Saturday?  We haven't had a decent alternative to the prick up till now. Give him a taste of what he will get if he f***s this up.

 

Aye, that'll help things move along nicely.

Thought that was why the £300million was leaked to get the supporters on Ashleys back.

 

The leak came from Ashley’s camp. TBH both camps are so close its all a bit inbred.

Never heard that mind. Not saying they didn't but I thought we didn't know which side leaked.

Doesn't make much  sense that it came from Ashley.. More that the stories of it being a lot lower came from him in response.

[Disco]

What did he fall out with Mort about? Can't remember.

 

Mort wore exclusively dress socks and didn't enjoy low quality tennis socks iirc.