AFS Represents NWSL in Sale of Controlling Interest in Utah Royals FC

“This powerful partnership between the Miller family and David Blitzer will elevate women’s soccer in Utah and continue to build fandom for the Royals FC,” said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman. “Miller Sports & Entertainment has consistently demonstrated commitment to building sport and community both on and off the pitch, aligning with our values at the NWSL - and we welcome this new ownership group to the league.”

This transaction follows on the heels of NWSL’s recent grant of Team 16 expansion rights to Denver.

The AFS team included Stephen P. Hanson, Felicia A. Xu, Emily P. Caylor, Brian K. Janowsky, Ben Leese and Eric Hamburg.

From coast to coast, ArentFox Schiff boasts one of the country’s most experienced and diverse sports law practices. The group regularly advises leagues, teams, venues, operators, sponsors, and brands across all major professional and collegiate sports throughout the United States and internationally. The AFS team’s experience covers nearly every type of commercial transaction in the sports industry, including a rapidly expanding and preeminent focus in the development and implementation of initial naming rights and founding sponsorship programs, as well as the negotiation and finalization of key foundational operational agreements such as management agreements, ticketing agreements, food and beverage agreements, pouring rights agreements, and more.

The Sports group has key experience beyond the more traditional practice areas in burgeoning new sectors of the sports industry, such as the interplay with private equity, fantasy sports, gaming, e-sports, and blockchain and artificial intelligence applications. The Sports group also represents some of the most well-known athletes, agencies, and artists, as well as advertising agencies and startup companies, on a broad array of sports-related engagements.