Morgan Lewis, Akerman Score in Big Houston Sports Deal
James Harden, the NBA Houston Rockets superstar guard, buys a minority stake in the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash professional soccer teams and BBVA Stadium in downtown Houston.
July 23, 2019 at 01:33 PM
2 minute read
Leonardo (22) of Houston Dynamo controls ball during MLS regular game against NYC FC at Pratt & Whitney stadium Game ended in draw 1-1, on Sept. 23, 2017. (Credit: lev radin/Shutterstock.com)
Houston Rockets star James Harden turned to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius for his purchase of an interest in the group that owns the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash professional soccer teams and BBVA Stadium. Akerman represented the ownership group, which is led by Gabriel Brener.
The Dynamo and Harden announced the deal July 18.
The ownership group led by Brener acquired the majority interest in Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo, National Women's Soccer League Houston Dash and the stadium in 2015. That group also included Beverly Hills-based family-owned investment firm Brener International Group, as well as boxing champ Oscar De La Hoya, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.
According to a report by Front Line Sports, Harden, who joined the Rockets in 2012, acquired a 5% interest in the business that is valued at $475 million.
The Morgan Lewis team for Harden was led by partners Sameer Mohan of Houston, Baird Fogel of San Francisco and Jonathan Morris of New York, with assistance from associate Matthew Miller of Princeton, New Jersey. Also, Jeff Moorad, a principal of Morgan Lewis Consulting and chair of Morgan Lewis' global sports industry initiative, helped lead the deal team. He works out of Orange County, California, and Washington, D.C.
The Akerman team for the ownership group was led by real estate partner Irán Hopkins and associate Daphna Davidovits, both of Los Angeles.
Harden said in a press release that his investment in the professional soccer teams and the stadium is a way to invest in Houston and expand his business interests. “I've been a fan of the game for several years, and I know that Houston has a massive soccer fan base, so it was an easy decision for me when this opportunity arose,” he said.
In the release, Brener said Harden is a savvy businessman who brings a unique perspective to the ownership group. “I'm looking forward to hearing his thoughts and opinions on the club going forward,” he said.
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