Shearman & Sterling is advising IceArizona AcquisitionCo., LLC on its purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes franchise from the National Hockey League. The sale and ownership transfer has been approved by the NHL’s Board of Governors. George Gosbee will serve as the Coyotes’ Chairman and Governor and Anthony LeBlanc will serve as the Coyotes’ Alternate Governor and pending CEO of the franchise.

IceArizona is a group composed of several business leaders from across North America. Renaissance Sports and Entertainment, LLC will act as the managing partner of IceArizona.

The Shearman & Sterling team included partners David Connolly (New York-Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity), Scott Petepiece (New York-Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity), Gregory Tan (New York-Project Development & Finance), Michael Shulman (Washington, DC-Tax), Doreen Lilienfeld (New York-Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits), and Alan Goudiss (New York-Litigation) and counsel Jill Frizzley (New York-Bankruptcy & Reorganization) and Sean Skiffington (Toronto-Mergers & Acquisitions).

Shearman & Sterling’s Sports Group regularly advises clients in matters relating to professional and amateur sports, including franchises, financial institutions, athletes, sports organizations and governing bodies. Recent transactions and matters include New England Sports Ventures, LLC in its acquisition of Liverpool Football Club; Abu Dhabi United Group in its acquisition of 90% of Manchester City Limited, the holding company of Manchester City Football Club; and Brick City Hockey LLC and Michael Gilfillan in connection with the sale of their interests in the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils and Newark, NJ’s Prudential Center.