Linklaters has advised the new investors as English counsel on the acquisition of a minority stake in championship club Norwich City Football Club.

Mark Attanasio, American businessman and principal owner of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, and his group have acquired shares in Norwich City Football Club, including those of long-serving club director Michael Foulger.

As part of the acquisition, Mark has been appointed as a new director of Norwich City Football Club and will continue the focus on the strength and success of the football club, having made the Milwaukee Brewers one of the most competitive baseball teams in the US.

Linklaters’ cross-practice team consisted of partner Julian Davies and associates Shamin Choudhury and Durlav Nayak (Sports Sector), partner Chris Smale and associates Wilson Hill and Anna Sparrow (Tax), partner Siobhan Burton and associate Tom Farrar (Real Estate), partner Richard Cumbley and associate Matthew Creagh (TMT), and partner Sinead Casey alongside managing associate Nick Marshall and associate Irfan Allana (Employment).

Julian Davies, Partner and Co-lead of Linklaters’ Sports Sector, commented:

“We are pleased to have supported Mark and his group on their successful investment in Norwich City Football Club. The team provided specialist sports M&A and football regulation advice, capitalising on our deep knowledge of and extensive experience in the sports sector”.

This is the latest deal to come out of the firm’s leading Sports Sector practice, having recently advised Sixth Street on its new strategic partnership with Real Madrid; the Football Association Premier League on several key issues in the sector; and MetLife on the English Football League’s club debt financing.