The fast-paced Premier League last week handed two lucrative deals to LB100 firms Gateley, Howard KennedyFsi, Hill Dickinson and DWF, as West Ham sold its iconic Upton Park ground and Everton Football Club (FC) entered a five-year partnership with Umbro.
Birmingham-based firm Gateley and West End firm Howard KennedyFsi advised on West Ham’s sale of Upton Park to Galliard Group after the team won the rights to use the Olympic Stadium for its new ground from 2016.
Howard Kennedy’s team, who advised longstanding client Galliard, was led by real estate partner David Philips.
Gateley advised West Ham, led by real estate partner Richard Pettifor. The firm acted for West Ham last year when the club was confirmed as main tenants of London’s Olympic Stadium, beating off other bids from sides such as top five team Tottenham Hotspur.
The deal came about after the Government agreed to provide £25m in financing to convert the venue. The club is set to pay around £2m a year in rent.
In other Premier League deals, as Everton FC fans enjoy departed coach David Moyes’ well-publicised struggles at his new team Manchester United, they will also be celebrating a new five-year kit and sportswear deal with iconic football brand Umbro, which manufactured the team’s kit during its 1987 league victory and its 1995 FA Cup win.
DWF advised Umbro on its latest deal with the north west club, which kicks in on June 1 this year and will see Umbro produce all on-pitch and training products for the men’s, women’s and academy teams at Everton and also sponsor the club’s grassroots programmes, with Everton wearing the famous double diamond from the start of the 2014/15 season.
Craig Chaplin and Catherine Harrison from DWF led for Umbro in this deal, while corporate partner Sue Russell at Liverpool-based Hill Dickinson led the advice for Everton.
Chaplin said: ‘It has been great to work with an iconic client on such an important deal.’
David.stevenson@legalease.co.uk