© 2016 The Texas Lawbook.
By Natalie Posgate
(June 30) – A group of Texas-based lawyers from Baker Botts announced its involvement in today’s megadeal: Global entertainment giant Lionsgate’s $4.4 billion acquisition of Starz, which reportedly became the second largest premium cable channel last year.
The deal will give Lionsgate, known as the studio behind the “Hunger Games” films and television series “Orange is the New Black,” significant growth in its television business. The transaction will make the combined company the largest independent television business in the world with a 16,000-title film and television library, the two companies said in a joint statement.
Baker Botts’ corporate deal team advising Englewood, Colorado-based Starz was primarily based in New York, but it included Dallas partner Courtney York and Austin associates John Kaercher and Rachel Ratcliffe.
Texas attorneys advising Starz on other matters of the deal included finance partner Andrew Thomison, tax partner Robert Fowler and tax associates John Lobb and Jessica Stricklin, who are all based in Houston. Attorneys from the firm’s Washington, D.C. office advised on antitrust matters.
In 2013, Baker Botts advised Starz when it spun off from Liberty Media Corp.
LionTree Advisors served as Starz’s exclusive financial advisor. The firm also provided a fairness opinion to Starz’s board of directors.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges advised the special committee of Starz’s board of directors on legal matters and The Raine Group provided financial advice.
Santa Monica, California-based Lionsgate turned to Dentons and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz for legal advice and PJT Partners, J.P. Morgan, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse for financial advice.
© 2016 The Texas Lawbook. Content of The Texas Lawbook is controlled and protected by specific licensing agreements with our subscribers and under federal copyright laws. Any distribution of this content without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.
If you see any inaccuracy in any article in The Texas Lawbook, please contact us. Our goal is content that is 100% true and accurate. Thank you.