Dentons represented KG (US) Oilers Corp., an indirect subsidiary of the Edmonton-based Katz Group of Companies, in the cross-border acquisition of the Bakersfield Condors of the ECHL. The Condors, a professional ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California, is the ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)’s Edmonton Oilers, a sports franchise owned by the Katz Group. The acquisition broadens the professional pool of minor league talent available to the Oilers while providing the Condors with access to the expertise and business operations of the major league team.

According to Kevin Lowe, Oilers President of Hockey Operations, the deal facilitates a coordinated approach to player development between the ECHL, NHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL), allowing for “more quality hockey players in our system, players that can contribute to the success of our organization at all levels, including the NHL.”

The Condors will continue to play at the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield under local management, preserving the team’s strong ties to the community and loyal fan base.

“This move represents an investment in our future, a strengthening of our organizational structure, and a commitment to the city of Bakersfield,” Condors Team President Matthew Riley said.

Dentons US was connected to the Canadian Katz Group by Edmonton Corporate partner Shawna Vogel of Dentons Canada. Los Angeles Corporate partner Elizabeth Foster led  the US acquisition team, a multidisciplinary, cross-country group including Los Angeles Real Estate partner Jay Shafran, Employment and Labor counsel Roberta Burnette and Corporate associate Ike Chidi; Washington, DC Pensions, Benefits and Executive Compensation partner Michael Maryn and Tax partner John Harrington; Kansas City Intellectual Property and Technology partner Brian McGinley; and Los Angeles Litigation paralegal Tessa Ryan and Chicago Corporate paralegal Rebecca Ceto.