Adam R. Klein

Partner

Chicago Office

+1.312.902.5469

adam.klein@katten.com

Practices

Capital Markets

Corporate

Corporate Governance

Mergers and Acquisitions

Industries

FOCUS: Sports and Sports Facilities

Private Client Services

Education

JD, Harvard Law School

BS, Cornell University

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Community Involvements

American Bar Association

"He is a go-to lawyer

who has one of the

best practices in the

country." "Adam is a

superb lawyer."

- Chambers USA 2023

(USA Nationwide, Sports

Law Department) survey

response

Adam Klein counsels a wide range of clients nationwide on matters related to

the business of prof essional sports, including various Major League

Baseball, National Basketball Association, Nation

al Hockey League and

Major League Soccer teams, arenas and stadiums, lenders, investors,

sponsors and regional sports networks.

Major league clients

Adam's sports clients have included the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls,

Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia P

hillies, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders,

Seattle Kraken, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee

Bucks, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Memphis

Grizzlies, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spu

rs,

Chicago Fire, D.C. United, Philadelphia Union, San Jose Earthquakes,

United Center, Chase Center, Golden 1 Center, Fiserv Forum, Intuit Dome

and 120 Sports (Stadium), as well as investors in the New York Mets,

Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Penguins and Swansea City AFC.

In the highly self -regulated field of prof essional sports, Adam has the

experience to handle a variety of transactions with maximum efficiency. That

is attributable in part to his detailed knowledge of applicable league rules and

the

issues related to operating a team and its home venue. Equally important

are the strong relationships that Adam has established across leagues,

teams, venues and their advisors. His clients understand and appreciate the

vested interest he takes in helping them make inf ormed decisions in

connection with signif icant transactions.

Adam R. Klein

Partner

Representative Experience

•

Represented purchaser in acquiring the Dallas Mavericks. Negotiated

and documented the acquisition, equity structure, bank f inancing and

NBA's approval of the transaction.

• Represented purchaser in acquiring the Charlotte Hornets. Negotiated

and documented the acquisition, equity structure, bank f inancing and

NBA's approval of the transaction.

•

Represent the Los Angeles Clippers in various agreements related

to the

development, financing, use, operation and management of the team's

proposed new arena (the Intuit Dome), as well as obtaining NBA

approval of the arena project and arena construction loan. Also

represent the team and arena in sponsorship agreements (including

naming rights agreement f or the arena and jersey patch deal for the

team), concessions agreement and ticketing agreement.

• Represented the United States Soccer Federation in its broadcast rights

agreement with Warner Media for

broadcast of U.S. Men's and Women's

National Team soccer matches on TNT, TBS and HBOMax.

• Represented owners of the Utah Jazz in the sale of the team. Included

negotiating and documenting the sale and NBA's approval of the

transaction. Represent sellers in post-closing matters.

• Represented minority owners joining the purchaser group that acquired

the Denver Broncos.

•

Represented purchaser in acquiring the new NHL team in Seattle

(Seattle Kraken). Negotiated and documented the expansion agreement,

equity fi

nancing, debt financing and various agreements related to the

development, financing and use of Climate Pledge Arena, including the

arena joint venture and team lease agreement, and a construction loan

f or development of the Kraken's new practice f acility,

as well as the

NHL's approval of the transactions. Represent the team in sponsorships,

premium seating, telecast and radio broadcast rights agreements and

merchandise agreement, as well as the purchase of , and the Kraken's

af filiation agreement with, an AHL team in Palm Springs (Coachella

Adam R. Klein

Partner

Valley Firebirds) and agreements related to the f inancing and use of

Acrisure Arena.

•

Represented owners of Kansas City Royals in the sale of the team.

Included negotiating and documenting the sale and MLB's approval of

the transaction.

• Represented the Phoenix Suns in their naming rights agreement with

Footprint Center.

•

Represented the Milwaukee Bucks in various agreements with the

Wisconsin Center District, City of Milwaukee, County of Milwaukee and a

f inancial institut

ion related to the design, construction, development,

f inancing, use, operation and management of the team's new arena

(Fiserv Forum), parking facilities and practice facility, as well as obtaining

NBA approval of the arena project and arena construction l

oan. Also

represent the team in sponsorship agreements (including naming rights

agreements f or the arena and practice f acility) and acquisition of

Gatorade League (formerly known as NBA Development League) team

(Wisconsin Herd) and the arena in its concessions agreements.

Represented the Bucks in new rights agreement for the broadcast of its

games on Bally Sports Wisconsin, debt f inancing and equity

transactions.

•

Represented purchaser of a majority interest in D.C. United and the

operating rights to

Audi Field. Negotiated and documented the equity

f inancing, debt f inancing, acquisition and MLS approval.

• Represented the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder,

San Antonio Spurs, Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings and

Los Angeles

Kings in negotiating, documenting and obtaining League

approval f or new rights agreements f or the broadcast of the teams'

games by the applicable Bally Sports (Diamond/Sinclair) regional sports

network.

•

Represented purchaser in acquiring a signif icant mi

nority interest, and

then a controlling interest, in the New York Islanders. Negotiated and

documented the acquisition and joint venture with the seller as well as

the lenders' and NHL's approval of the transaction. Also represent the

Adam R. Klein

Partner

controlling ownership group and the team in equity and debt

transactions, respectively.

•

Represented purchaser of a minority interest in Charlotte Hornets,

Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns (and the sale of such interest in the

Suns) and seller of a minority interest in the Memphis Grizzlies.

• Represent the Philadelphia Phillies in connection with equity, partnership

and real estate matters. Represented Philadelphia Phillies in negotiating,

documenting and obtaining MLB approval f or a long-term rights

agreement f or the broadcast o

f the team's games by the regional sports

network NBC Sports Philadelphia, a short-

term rights agreement f or the

broadcast of the team's games by an over-the-

air station controlled by

NBCUniversal, a new long-

term sponsorship agreement with Comcast

and agr

eements related to an ownership stake in the regional sports

network.

• Represented purchaser in acquiring the Sacramento Kings. Negotiated

and documented the acquisition, the equity structure, the debt financing

extension and the NBA's approval of the transaction (as well as the

NBA's approval to keep the team in Sacramento and, therefore, rejection

of relocation of the team to Seattle proposed by a competing bidder).

Represent the Kings in new head coach's and other basketball and non

basketball operations personnel's employment agreements.

Represented the Kings in a new long-term rights agreement f or the

broadcast of its games on a regional sports network. Represent the team

and its af f iliates in various debt f inancing transactions, sponsorship

agreements and suite licenses. Represent the team in its new arena

(Golden 1 Center) and mixed-

used development activities, including

negotiating and documenting land acquisition, arena and tower

construction loans, various agreements with the City of Sacramento and

others related to the design, construction, development, f inancing, use,

operation and management of the new arena, and NBA approval of the

arena project, as well as the arena's naming rights agreement,

concessions agreement and refinancing the bonds relat

ed to the team's

f ormer home arena. Represented the team in the acquisition of an

Adam R. Klein

Partner

expansion Gatorade League team (Reno Bighorns) and the Sacramento

River Cats minor league baseball team.

•

Represented purchaser in acquiring the Golden State Warriors.

Negotiated and documented the acquisition, equity structure, bank

f inancing and NBA's approval of the transaction. Represent the Warriors

in a new long-

term rights agreement for the broadcast of its games on a

regional sports network, new head coach's and other

basketball and

non-basketball operations personnel's employment agreements,

participation in NBA's League-

Wide Credit Facility, other debt financing

and raising equity. Represented the team in the acquisition of Gatorade

League's Dakota Wizards and its rel

ocation to Santa Cruz. Represent

the team in its major sponsorship deals and new arena (Chase Center)

and mixed-

use development activities, including the new arena's naming

rights agreement, concessions agreement, land acquisition financing,

construction loan, retail f inancing, team use agreement and arena

membership program, NBA approval of the arena project, and the team's

joint venture with Uber and Alexandria Real Estate Equities f or the

development of two office towers.

•

Represented note purchasers in

refinancing construction loan f or Levi's

Stadium (home of the San Francisco 49ers).

• Represented note purchasers in refinancing construction loan for BMO

Stadium (home of Los Angeles FC).

•

Represented lead minority investor in the New York Mets in negotiat

ing,

documenting and obtaining MLB and bank approval of equity financing

and related equity transactions.

•

Represented the Boston Celtics in negotiating, documenting and

obtaining NBA approval f or a new long-

term rights agreement f or the

broadcast of the team's games by a regional sports network, an

extension to a sponsorship agreement with the network and agreements

related to an ownership stake in the network.

• Represented the Detroit Pistons and Palace of Auburn Hills in the sale of

the team and the arena, including negotiated and documented the sale,

Adam R. Klein

Partner

retained equity, indebtedness and NBA approval of the transaction.

Represent sellers in post-closing matters.

• Represented purchaser in acquiring the Oakland Athletics. Negotiated

and documented the

acquisition, equity structure, bank f inancing and

MLB's approval of the transaction. Represented the As in participating in

MLB's League-

Wide Credit Facility, refinancing its bank credit facility and

a new radio broadcast agreement, as well as a change in control

transaction (including documenting the transaction and obtaining MLB

approval). Represented the As in a new long-

term rights agreement f or

the broadcast of its games on a regional sports network. Represent the

As in issues related to proposed new h

ome stadium and relocation to

Las Vegas, other capital structure issues, mixed-use development

activities and executive employment agreements.

• Represented owners of the St. Louis Blues and the Savvis Center in

various day-to-day business matters and the sale of the team and

operating rights to the arena. Included negotiating and documenting the

sale, the redemption of bonds used to finance the construction of the

arena, and the NHL's approval of the transaction. Represented the team

in new rights agreement

for the broadcast of its games on Fox Sports

Midwest.

• Represented the Chicago White Sox in naming rights deals with U.S.

Cellular and Guaranteed Rate for the team's home stadium in Chicago

and its radio broadcast agreements. Represented the White Sox, an

worked closely with counsel for the Los Angeles Dodgers, in negotiating

and drafting documents related to the development and use of the new

two-

team spring training facility built by the City of Glendale, Arizona.

Represented the White Sox in early term

ination of its spring training deal

with Pima County in order to start playing at the new Glendale facility in

2009. Represented the White Sox in financing provided to a minor

league af filiate, participation in the MLB League-

Wide Credit Facility and

exten

sion of concessions and novelties agreements. Represent the team

in its major sponsorship deals and equity transactions.

• Represent the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks and United Center in

their major sponsorship deals, including extension of arena naming

Adam R. Klein

Partner

rights, telecommunications, beer and credit card sponsorship deals, and

the Bulls' jersey patch sponsorship. Represented the Bulls in its radio

broadcast agreements. Represented the Bulls in its participation in the

NBA's League- Wide Credit Facility, new head coach's employment

agreement, and acquisition of an expansion Gatorade League team

(Windy City Bulls) and its entrance into a lease f or its home venue.

•

Represented ownership that acquired the operating rights for the then

new MLS expansion team in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Union.

Negotiated and documented the expansion agreement with MLS and the

purchaser's equity structure. Represented the Union and its stadium in

their f irst f ounding sponsor agreements, naming rights agreements,

jersey sponsorship, television broadcast agreement and youth

development agreement. Represented the team and stadium in debt

f inancing transaction with a cable network and entrance into stadium

management, event booking, concessions and ticketing agreements with

networ

k affiliates. Represented the team in stadium issues, acquiring a

USL team (Harrisburg City Islanders) and developing an MLS NEXT Pro

team (Philadelphia Union II), and the new head coach's and other soccer

and non-soccer operations personnel's employment agreements.

Represent the team with respect to raising capital, bank debt f inancing

and acquisition and development of a training facility, sports complex

and mixed-use development.

• Represented the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls, and worked

closely wi

th counsel for the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs, in

the f ormation of a regional cable sports network. The teams were owners

of , and licensors of games to, the network, which began broadcasting in

the f all of 2004. Also represented the White Sox and Bulls in their over

the-

air television agreements with WGN. Represented the White Sox,

Bulls and Blackhawks in their new broadcast rights agreements and

regional sports network joint venture that commenced in f all of 2019.

•

Represent the San Jose Earthquakes in stadium lease, equity

transactions and debt f inancing.

• Represented a financial institution in providing debt financing for several

NBA teams.

Adam R. Klein

Partner

• Represented a financial institution in providing debt financing for an NHL

arena.

•

Represented a f inancial institution in providing debt f inancing f or

construction of the Columbus Crew's new MLS stadium (Lower.com

Field).

• Represented noteholders in providing debt f inancing to several MLS

teams.

•

Represent minority investor in San Diego MLS expansion team.

• Represented purchaser of a minority interest in new MLS team in Austin

(Austin FC).

Recognitions

Recognized or listed in the following:

•

Chambers USA

Sports Law, 2011–2024

•

Lawdragon

"New Stars, New Worlds," 2006

•

Law360

MVP – Sports, 2015

•

Sports Business Journal

Power Players: Outside Counsel, 2021

•

Super Lawyers

Illinois, 2008–2011, 2013–2020, 2024

•

The International Who's Who of Sports & Entertainment Lawyers

2013–2016

•

The Legal 500 United States

Leading Individual, 2019

Adam R. Klein

Partner

Recommended Attorney, 2014–2018, 2020–2024

•

Who's Who Legal

Sports & Entertainment, 2018

News

•

Katten Highly Ranked in Legal 500 United States 2024

(June 12, 2024)

•

Katten Receives High Marks in Chambers USA Guide 2024

(June 6,

2024)

•

Katten Attorneys Named to 2024

Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

Lists (January 25, 2024)

• Katten Represents Buyers Acquiring Controlling Ownership Interest in

Dallas Mavericks (January 4, 2024)

• Katten Represents Buyer Group in Majority Stake Purchase of Charlotte

Hornets (September 6, 2023)

•

Katten Boosts Rankings in Chambers USA Guide 2023

(June 1, 2023)

• Katten Awarded Top Ranking in Structured Finance: Securitization in

The Legal 500 United States 2022 (June 8, 2022)

•

Katten Ranked Leading Law Firm by Chambers USA 2022 (June 1,

2022)

•

Sports Business Journal

Names Katten Attorneys to 'Power Players'

List (October 26, 2021)

•

Katten Attorneys Help Drive $3.2 Billion US Car Dealership

Deal (October 6, 2021)

• Katten Receives High Marks in Derivatives, M&A and Securitization in

The Legal 500 United States 2021 Guide (June 10, 2021)

•

Katten Boosts Rankings in Chambers USA 2021 (May 20, 2021)

•

Katten Named Top-

Tier Firm in Structured Finance and Securitization by

The Legal 500 United States 2020 Guide (June 16, 2020)

Adam R. Klein

Partner

•

Katten Rated Top Law Firm by Chambers USA 2020 (April 23, 2020)

• Katten Attorneys Selected to 2020 Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising Stars

Lists (January 29, 2020)

•

Katten Praised in The Legal 500 United States 2019 Guide

(June 11,

2019)

•

Katten Lauded Top Ranked Law Firm by Chambers USA 2019

(April 25,

2019)

•

Super Lawyers Lists Honor More Than 50 Katten Attorneys in

Illinois (January 24, 2019)

• Katten Represents Ownership Group in Successful Bid f or NHL Seattle

Team (December 18, 2018)

•

Katten Distinguished by The Legal 500 United States

(June 14, 2018)

•

Katten Rated as Leading Law Firm by Chambers USA 2018 (May 3,

2018)

•

Katten Attorneys Recognized in 2018 Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising

Stars Lists (January 25, 2018)

•

Katten Selected as the "Go-To" Firm for Sports Law in Chicago

(July 27,

2017)

•

Katten Distinguished by The Legal 500 United States 2017 (May 31,

2017)

•

Katten Recognized as Leading Law Firm by Chambers USA 2017

(May

30, 2017)

•

Katten Attorneys Recognized in 2017 Illinois Super Lawyers, Rising

Stars Lists (January 13, 2017)

•

Eighteen Katten Practices and 70 Attorneys Recognized by

The Legal

500 United States 2016 (June 17, 2016)

•

Chambers USA 2016 Distinguishes 22 Katten Practices and 50

Attorneys (May 27, 2016)

•

Forty-Seven Katten Attorneys Recognized in 2016 Illinois

Super Lawyers

List (January 8, 2016)

Adam R. Klein

Partner

•

Adam Klein Named Sports MVP by Law360 (November 24, 2015)

•

Adam Klein Comments on Potential Anheuser-Miller Merger and Its

Ef f ect on Sports Advertising (September 24, 2015)

• Adam Klein Quoted in Law 360 Article on How to Avoid Problems With

Arena Approvals (August 13, 2015)

•

Nine Katten Practices and 42 Attorneys Distinguished by

The Legal 500

United States 2015 (June 3, 2015)

•

Katten Attains 22 Practice and 58 Attorney Rankings by Chambers USA

2015 (May 20, 2015)

•

Adam Klein Featured in The American Lawyer Article on Sports

Law (March 31, 2015)

•

Partner Adam Klein Featured in Chicago Lawyer Article on Sports

Law (February 6, 2015)

•

Fifty-Three Katten Attorneys Recognized in 2015 Illinois Super Lawyers

List (January 12, 2015)

•

Eight Katten Practices and Forty-Two Attorneys Recognized by

The

Legal 500 United States 2014 (July 3, 2014)

•

Chambers USA 2014 Distinguishes 24 Katten Practices and 54

Attorneys (May 23, 2014)

•

Adam Klein, Head of the Sports and Sports Facilities Practice

, Quoted in

Crain's Chicago Business on Prospects of Digital Networks

(February

24, 2014)

•

Fifty-Four Katten Attorneys Recognized in 2014 Illinois Super Lawyers

List (January 13, 2014)

• Adam Klein, Head of Sports and Sports Facilities Practice, Featured in

SportsBusiness Journal (November 25, 2013)

•

Partner Adam Klein Featured in Chicago Tribune Business

Profile (October 1, 2013)

•

Katten Represents Sacramento Basketball Holdings in Purchase of

NBA's Sacramento Kings (May 31, 2013)

Adam R. Klein

Partner

•

Chambers USA 2013 Recognizes 24 Katten Practices and 49

Attorneys (May 24, 2013)

•

Sixty-Nine Katten Attorneys Included on 2013 Illinois Super Lawyers

List (January 4, 2013)

•

Partner Adam Klein Featured in Chicago Tribune RedEye

Article (December 20, 2012)

•

Of Counsel Interviews Adam Klein for Article on Sports Law

(December

11, 2012)

•

Partner Adam Klein Discusses Sports Law on WCIU (July 18, 2012)

•

Partner Adam Klein Quoted in CableFAX Daily

on Monetization of Sports

Rights in a Multiplatf orm Environment (July 17, 2012)

•

Chambers USA 2012 Distinguishes 19 Katten Practices and 45

Attorneys (June 7, 2012)

•

Eighty-Six Katten Attorneys Named 2012 Illinois Super

Lawyers (February 28, 2012)

•

Former Katten Partner Joins the Front Of f ice of the Pittsburgh

Pirates (December 27, 2011)

• Katten Earns Recognition for 17 Practices and 44 Attorneys in 2011

Chambers USA Guide (June 10, 2011)

•

Katten Advises Detroit Pistons in Sale to Billionaire Investor To m

Gores (April 11, 2011)

•

Katten's Sports Law Practice Represents Time Warner Cable in Los

Angeles Lakers Deal; Partner Adam Klein Quoted in Daily Law

Bulletin (February 22, 2011)

• Katten Represents GSW Sports in Purchase of NBA’s Golden State

Warriors (November 15, 2010)

•

Partner Adam Klein Featured in Illinois Super Lawyers on Sports

Law (2009)

•

Katten Represents New Ownership Group in Acquisition of Right to

Operate Philadelphia MLS Expansion Team (March 3, 2008)

Adam R. Klein

Partner

•

Partner Adam Klein Featured in Crain's Chicago Business

as Lawyer to

Sports Industry (April 2, 2007)

•

Firm Attorneys Mentioned in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

for Role in Sale

of St. Louis Blues (July 6, 2006)

• Katten Represents Sellers in Sale of National Hockey League’s St. Louis

Blues and Operating Rights to the Savvis Center (July 3, 2006)

• Katten Muchin Rosenman Represents Earle M. Jorgensen Company in

$984 Million Completed Acquisition by Reliance Steel (April 7, 2006)

•

Firm Represents Earle M. Jorgensen Company in $934 Million Propo

sed

Acquisition by Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (January 23, 2006)

Presentations and Events

•

Sports Business Summit 2023 (November 16, 2023) |

Panelist | Sports

Finance

•

ICLE Annual Sports Law Seminar (May 5, 2015 ) | Speaker | Sports

Media Deals

•

2014 FOX Fall Forum (October 29–30, 2014) |

Panelist | Sports Team

Ownership – Balancing the Rewards With the Responsibilities

•

34th Annual PMA Marketing Law Conference (November 12–14, 2012)

Panelist | Sports Marketing—From Ambush to Marketing to League

Negotiations

•

PLI Understanding the Securities Laws 2009 (November 16–17, 2009)

Panelist | Resales of Securities

•

PLI Understanding the Securities Laws 2008 (November 17–18, 2008)

Panelist | Resales of Securities

•

PLI Understanding the Securities Laws 2006 (November 2–3, 2006)

Panelist | Resales of Securities