Shearman & Sterling advised the shareholders of Infront Sports & Media on the company's sale to European private equity firm Bridgepoint. Infront represents more than 120 sports rights holders including seven national football federations, leagues such as the Italian Lega Calcio and clubs such as AC Milan. The company also handles events such as the FIFA World Cup and the FIM Superbike World Championship.

The sale involved Bridgepoint agreeing to buy 100% of the shares held by Infront shareholders. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.

The Shearman & Sterling team of lawyers in the firm's London, Milan, Rome and Dusseldorf offices was M&A partners Creighton Condon and Fabio Fauceglia, assisted by counsel Tommaso Tosi and associates Jeremy Kutner, Jan Schapmann, Tom Lewis, Maria Antonietta Romeo, Jens Heneweer and trainee Gaetano Petroni. Tax advice was provided by partner Iain Scoon and counsel Simon Letherman. Partner Matthew Readings and associates James Webber and George Milton advised on competition law aspects of the deal.

In recent years Shearman & Sterling has advised on some of the most prominent sports-related deals including: New England Sports Ventures' acquisition of Liverpool Football Club, Abu Dhabi United Group's acquisition of 90% of Manchester City Limited, the holding company of Manchester City Football Club and Aabar Investments PJSC on its acquisition with Daimler AG of a majority shareholding in Brawn GP, winner of the 2009 Formula 1 constructors' and drivers' championships.