We are advising Atairos on the minority investment

Davis Polk is advising Atairos Management, L.P. on its investment in V Sports S.C.S. Under the terms of the agreement, Atairos will become a minority partner in V Sports. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to English Premier League approval, customary conditions and relevant regulatory approvals and consents being obtained.

Atairos is an independent strategic investment company focused on supporting growth-oriented businesses. Atairos provides a unique combination of active, strategic partnership and patient, long-term capital to high-potential companies and their management teams.

V Sports is a holding company jointly controlled by Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens. V Sports is the current owner of Aston Villa Football Club and Aston Villa Women’s Football Club. Aston Villa Football Club is a 149-year-old institution currently competing in the English Premier League and European competition. V Sports also holds a minority stake in Vitoria S.C. of the Portuguese Primeira Liga and has partnerships with a network of clubs including recently crowned Japanese J1 League champions Vissel Kobe.

The Davis Polk corporate team includes partners Harold Birnbaum and Will Pearce and associates Dmitriy Molchanov, Vivek Thanki, Federica Camilleri de Marco and Anuj Ezekiel. Partner Hilary Dengel and associate Joshua Bunn are providing sponsor finance advice. The tax team includes partners Ethan R. Goldman and Dominic Foulkes. Partner Frank J. Azzopardi is providing intellectual property advice. Counsel Neil Sharpe is providing executive compensation advice. Members of the Davis Polk team are based in the New York and London offices.