Ropes & Gray has advised Asian investment firm BPEA EQT on its $1.25 billion acquisition of Florida-based sports education institution IMG Academy from Endeavor Group, which was represented by Latham & Watkins.
Linklaters has acted for the arrangers and lenders on the debt financing for the acquisition.
Founded in 1978 through the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, supporting over 100,000 student-athletes across its suite of sports education services.
Jack Hennessy, partner and co-head of education at buyer BPEA EQT, said in an interview with Reuters that the company aims to provide IMG Academy's sports platforms to students in Asia, targeting the emerging middle class in the region.
The Ropes & Gray team was led by partners Marty Ruhaak, Neill Jakobe, Erica Han, Jen Cormier, Elaine Murphy and Elizabeth Todd, with support from partners Andy Dale, Jeff Bushofsky, Tim Farrell, Chris Conniff, David Kaye, Peter Alpert, Alex Zeltser, Arek Maczka, Ed McNicholas, Ed Black, Michael Littenberg and Ben Rhode.
Meanwhile, the Latham & Watkins team was led by partners Justin Hamill, Michael Anastasio, and Sean Denvir. The team also included partners Michelle Kelban, Alan Kimball, Austin Ozawa, Morgan Brubaker, Ghaith Mahmood, Benjamin Cohen, and Robert Blamires.
And the Linklaters team was headed by partners Alessandro Nolet, with support from partners Danelle Le Cren and Michelle Lo.
