About Daniel H. Render

Daniel Render represents a wide range of clients in the professional sports and technology industries, including National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, National Football League, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, United Soccer League and NBA G-League teams, arenas and stadiums, investors and sponsors. Daniel counsels clients on a variety of transactional matters, including acquisitions and sales, debt and equity financings, media rights agreements, sponsorship agreements (including naming rights agreements), venue ticketing agreements, retail merchandising agreements, concessions agreements, and coach and executive employment agreements.

Industry knowledge and drive to achieve results

Daniel has represented clients across the professional sports industry, including:

  • Teams, including the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Hornets, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Union, D.C. United and Swansea City AFC.
  • Arenas and stadiums, including the United Center, Chase Center, Golden 1 Center, Fiserv Forum, Intuit Dome, Barclays Center, M&T Bank Stadium, Huntington Bank Field and Subaru Park.
  • Investors in teams, including the Washington Commanders, Memphis Grizzlies, Tampa Bay Lightning, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks San Diego FC and investors in arenas and stadiums, including Climate Pledge Arena and Amalie Arena.

Daniel previously worked in the marketing department for the Chicago White Sox.

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Practice Focus

  • Acquisitions and sales
  • Equity and debt financings
  • Media and sponsorship agreements (including naming rights agreements)
  • Arena/stadium development, lease, financing, joint venture and operation matters
  • Coach and management employment agreements
  • Corporate governance matters, including compliance with, and developments in, professional sports league rules
  • Entrepreneurs, including high-growth companies and family-owned businesses

Representative Experience

  • Represented purchaser in acquiring the Tampa Bay Lightning. Negotiated and documented the acquisition, equity structure and NBA’s approval of the transaction.
  • Represented the owners of Swansea City AFC in the sale of the team, including negotiating and documenting the sale and EPL’s approval of the transaction.
  • Represented the Larry H. Miller Corporation in its partnership with America First Credit Union, which includes sponsorship of the Salt Lake Bees MLB Professional Development League club and the acquisition of naming rights to the Bees’ new ballpark, now called “Daybreak Field,” and the new entertainment district surrounding the ballpark, now called “America First Square.”
  • Represented Cleveland Browns in their naming rights for Huntington Bank Field.
  • Represented Simon Sports in a significant minority investment in Ipswich Town F.C. Negotiated and documented the investment and EPL’s approval of the transaction.
  • Represented purchaser in acquiring the Charlotte Hornets. Negotiated and documented the acquisition, equity structure, bank financing and NBA’s approval of the transaction.
  • Represented M&T Bank Stadium (home of the Baltimore Ravens) with respect to its ticketing agreement and sponsorship agreement with SeatGeek.
  • Represented the Los Angeles Clippers and the team’s new arena (the Intuit Dome), in sponsorship agreements (including naming rights agreement for the arena and jersey patch deal for the team), concessions agreement and ticketing agreement.
  • Represented a significant minority investor in San Diego MLS expansion team.
  • Represented owners of the Utah Jazz in the sale of the team and operating rights to Vivint Arena. Included negotiating and documenting the sale and NBA’s approval of the transaction. Represent sellers in post-closing matters.
  • Represented the United States Soccer Federation in its sponsorship agreement with AT&T.
  • Represented minority owner joining the purchaser group that acquired the Washington Commanders.
  • Represented the Barclays Center (home of the Brooklyn Nets) with respect to its ticketing agreements with SeatGeek and Ticketmaster.
  • Represented purchaser in acquiring the new NHL team in Seattle (Seattle Kraken). Negotiated and documented various documents related to the acquisition and financing of the team, including the operating agreement for the ownership group, as well as the NHL’s approval of the transactions. Represent the team and its AHL affiliate in Palm Springs (Coachella Valley Firebirds) in sponsorships and merchandise agreements.
  • Represented the Phoenix Suns in naming rights agreement for Footprint Center.
  • Represented the Milwaukee Bucks in a significant minority investment by Junior Bridgeman in the Bucks’ ownership group. Negotiated and documented the investment and the NBA’s approval of the transaction. Also represented the team in sponsorship agreements, and acquisition of Gatorade League (formerly known as NBA Development League) team (Wisconsin Herd) and the arena in its concessions agreements and lease agreements.
  • Represented Monster Energy with respect to its sponsorship agreement with Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
  • Represented purchaser of a majority interest in D.C. United and the operating rights to Audi Field. Negotiated and documented the equity financing, debt financing, acquisition and MLS approval. Representing D.C. United in debt financing transactions.
  • Represented purchaser in acquiring a significant minority 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 controlling ownership group and the team in equity and debt transactions, respectively.
  • Represented purchaser of a minority interest in the 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.
  • Represented the Sacramento Kings and its affiliates in equity and debt financing transactions, sponsorship agreements, suite licenses, head coach and executive employment agreements. Represented the team in the acquisition of an expansion Gatorade League team (Reno Bighorns) and the Sacramento River Cats minor league baseball team.
  • Represent the Golden State Warriors in equity and debt financing transactions.
  • Represent the Chicago Bulls and United Center, and work closely with the Chicago Blackhawks, in their major sponsorship deals, including telecommunications, beer and credit card sponsorship deals, and the Bulls’ jersey patch sponsorship. Represented the Bulls in its radio broadcast agreements. Represented the Bulls new coach and executive employment agreements and acquisition of an expansion Gatorade League team (Windy City Bulls) and its entrance into a lease for its home venue.
  • Represented the Philadelphia Union and its stadium in sponsorship agreements (including various naming rights agreements for the team’s home stadium and jersey sponsorships), television broadcast agreements and youth development agreements. Represented the team and stadium in debt financing transactions and stadium management, event booking, concessions and ticketing agreements with network 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 head coach and other soccer and non-soccer operations personnel’s employment agreements. Represent the team with respect to raising capital, bank debt financing and acquisition and development of a training facility, sports complex and mixed-use development.
  • Represented the Miami Heat with respect to sponsorship agreements.

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