Proskauer Represents Potential Browns Buyer

August 3, 2012 (New York) – Proskauer confirmed today that it is representing Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Flying J, and certain members of his family in connection with the proposed purchase of the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns franchise from Randy Lerner, whose family has owned the team since 1999. The sale requires the approval of the NFL.
 
The Proskauer team is being led by Firm Chairman Joseph M. Leccese and Partner Wayne D. Katz (Sports Law). They were joined by Partners Amanda H. Nussbaum (Tax) and Steven D. Weinstein (Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & ERISA Litigation) and Associates Megha H. Parekh, Sean W.L. Alford, Anthony E. Leotti and Amanda L. Green (Corporate).
 
Proskauer regularly represents purchasers of professional sports teams and recently represented Shahid Khan in his successful bid to purchase the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2012 and Jim Crane and his partners in their successful effort to purchase Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros in November 2011.
 
Recognized as the nation’s leading sports practice by U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers and Chambers USA, among others, Proskauer’s Sports Law Group is widely considered the go-to practice for sports-related matters, from bet-the-company disputes to high-profile collective bargaining negotiations, the purchase and sale of teams, complex financings, the naming of stadiums, formation of new leagues, and high-stakes contract negotiations. The group represents the National Football League, National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, and Major League Soccer, as well as the ATP and WTA tours, the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets, among many other sports and related entities.

About Proskauer

Founded in 1875, Proskauer is a global law firm widely recognized for its leadership in a variety of legal services provided to clients worldwide from offices in Beijing, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Paris, São Paulo and Washington, DC. Additional information about the firm, which has extensive experience in all areas of practice important to businesses, not-for-profit institutions and individuals, can be found at www.proskauer.com.