Leyton Orient acquired by consortium led by Nigel Travis
23rd June 2017
Walker Morris sports lawyers advise on fourth football acquisition in a month
Specialist sports lawyers at Walker Morris have continued their run of successful football club acquisitions having advised Nigel Travis and his company Eagle Investments 2017 Limited on the acquisition of Leyton Orient FC.
The London-based club, first established in 1881, has been purchased by a business consortium headed by British-born Nigel Travis, the Chairman and CEO of Dunkin’ Brands Inc., and a life-long fan of the Club.
The deal, details of which are confidential, is not associated with Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins.
The acquisition is the fourth football club acquisition in a month for Walker Morris and it reinforces their position in the football industry, as one of the nationally leading sports law teams.
Walker Morris fielded a multi-disciplined team of specialist lawyers comprising of: David Hinchliffe, Christian Slinger, Jeremy Moore, Owen Ormond, Nicola Parkinson and Charlotte Smith.
Travis, who has been attending Leyton Orient games since he was a child and who grew up near the stadium, says his goals are to stabilise the Club and to re-engage the fans.
“I have been a passionate Leyton Orient supporter for my entire life and feel a great sense of responsibility to the players, the staff, the fans and the community. We have challenges in front of us, and I am not under-estimating those. However, over the long-term, we believe we can return the Club to the Football League,”
“Walker Morris have proven themselves as one of the country’s prominent sport law specialist for a number of years and I am delighted with the advice and commitment show by their team in getting this challenging deal over the line. I must also extend a special thank you to Christian Slinger. Walker Morris will also form part of the key advisory team in helping our consortium deliver its exciting plans for the Club and its fans” said Travis.
Former owner, Francesco Becchetti said:
“I invested a great deal in the Club in good faith and have delivered the Club to Nigel Travis and his consortium without any debts to the banks, without arrears for taxes and salaries and in a normal situation with its suppliers. This is a position from which it can grow. Over the last two years, I have, unfortunately, not been able to dedicate myself to following the Club as closely as I would have wanted. This is clearly the moment to leave the Club to others and I know that in doing so I am leaving it in good hands with Nigel Travis. I give my sincere best wishes to the fans and to the Club for a bright future, full of success.”
Travis will serve as the Chairman of the Leyton Orient Board of Directors. Other directors will include Principal Investor, Kent Teague from Dallas, Texas. In recognition of the fact that fan partnership is critical to the Club’s success, there will be a fan representative on the Board.
Last month the Walker Morris Sports Group advised on the sale of Leeds United Football Club and the purchase of Nottingham Forest and Reading football clubs.
