Bär & Karrer berät CVC Capital Partners bei Partnerschaft mit FIVB

CVC Capital Partners (CVC), eines der weltweit führenden Private Equity Häuser, wird eine Partnerschaft eingehen mit der Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), dem weltgrössten Verband in der Sportart Volleyball, durch das neue Joint Venture VW Volleyball World SA. Bär & Karrer beriet gemeinsam mit Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Lead Counsel) CVC bei dieser Transaktion. Da sich der Sitz der Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in der Schweiz, genauer im edlen „Château Les Tourelles“ in Lausanne, befindet, muss mit Nichtwissen angenommen werden, dass die rechtlichen Filetstücke der Transaktion durch Bär & Karrer abgewickelt wurden – darauf deutet auch die hochkarätige Besetzung des Teams von Bär & Karrer unter der Leitung von Christoph Neeracher hin. CVC bemerkt zu dieser wegweisenden globalen sportrechtlichen Transaktion: «Volleyball World will improve experience for players and fans, and optimise commercial performance for long-term success.» CEO der VW Volleyball World SA wird Finn Taylor, der ehemalige Leiter der Welttourneen von Cirque du Soleil.

Die VW Volleyball World SA wird für die kommerzielle Durchführung der wichtigsten Volleyball und Beach-Volleyball Events der Welt sein, einschliesslich der Weltmeisterschaften, der olympischen Qualifikationen sowie der Volleyball Nations League. Den Fokus der Partnerschaft werden insbesondere die Bereiche Events, Fan-Experience, Medien, Daten, digitale Geschäftsmodelle sowie Sponsoring bilden.

Spannend und sehr hochkarätig sind auch die Besetzungen der Führungspersonen bei der VW Volleyball World SA: Finn Taylor, der frühere Leiter der Welttourneen von Cirque du Soleil, wird CEO. Fernando Lima, ehemaliger Generalsekretär der FIVB wird VR-Präsident. Zu Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrats werden gewählt Fabio Azevedo (derzeitiger FIVB Generaldirektor) und Simon Denyer (Gründer und Ex-CEO der DAZN Group).

Team von Bär & Karrer
Das Team von Bär & Karrer bestand aus Christoph Neeracher, Luca Jagmetti und Lukas Bründler (alle M&A), Susanne Schreiber und Martin Leu (beide Steuern), Markus Wang (IP/IT), Laura Widmer (Arbeitsrecht), Mani Reinert (Wettbewerbsrecht) sowie Jan Kleiner (Sportrecht).

CVC Capital Partners über die Transaktion

CVC Capital Partners informieren wie folgt unter der Überschrift «FIVB partners with CVC Capital Partners to drive global growth of volleyball» über die Transaktion:

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and CVC Capital Partners Fund VII are pleased to announce the launch of Volleyball World, a new partnership which will drive innovation, growth and investment in volleyball around the globe.

Volleyball is the fourth most popular sport globally, with more than 800 million fans and high participation, across attractive markets, including Italy, Brazil, Japan, Poland, China and the US. Volleyball was the most watched sport at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, with 2.6 billion viewer hours globally.

Volleyball World will become the commercial entity for the sport around the world, initially for FIVB and aiming at working later alongside other leagues and federations, with the goal of increasing the profile and popularity of the sport, through fresh investment for the benefit of fans, players and National Federations. Volleyball World will be responsible for the commercial operation of key volleyball and beach volleyball international events, including: the World Championships, Olympic Qualifiers and the Volleyball Nations League. The partnership will focus on event hosting, fan experience, media, data/digital opportunities, and sponsorship to grow commercial revenues for reinvestment, which will ensure the long-term success of the sport.

FIVB, together with its 222 National Federations, will remain the sole, global volleyball regulatory body with responsibility for the sport and its development. As the majority shareholder in Volleyball World, FIVB will oversee the new commercial vision for volleyball while ensuring the interests of all stakeholders are represented. CVC brings extensive experience to this partnership, with a strong track record of CVC funds investing in multiple sports businesses, including Formula 1, Moto GP, Rugby and Bruin Sports Capital. CVC also brings access to a broad international network of relationships with offices in 22 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, which will help accelerate the commercial growth of volleyball and investment in the sport at all levels.

Finn Taylor, who was previously the head of Cirque du Soleil’s Global Touring show business overseeing significant geographic expansion and growth, will be the CEO of Volleyball World. Fernando Lima, formerly FIVB Secretary General will Chair the Board of Volleyball World. Other Board members will include Fabio Azevedo (the current FIVB General Director) and Simon Denyer (founder and former CEO of DAZN Group).

FIVB President Ary S. Graça F° said: „We are delighted to partner with CVC to launch Volleyball World. The FIVB is committed to constantly innovating while searching for opportunities that can sustain the development of the sport around the world. In CVC we are confident we have found a partner with the experience, network and capital to support FIVB in its mission to further professionalise the sport for the benefit of fans, players and National Federations. Volleyball World will boost our sport’s financial growth and deliver lasting legacies for the whole game. Working in partnership with CVC we will be able to secure volleyball’s future and emerge stronger from the current challenges.

CVC Capital Partners Head of Sports, Media and Entertainment, Nick Clarry added: „Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world and there is a huge untapped fan base and commercial potential. FIVB & CVC working together at Volleyball World, will drive innovation and greater fan engagement, which will accelerate growth and allow for substantial reinvestment back into the sport. We are delighted to be partnering with FIVB and look forward to working closely together to develop the sport globally, working collaboratively with all the players, leagues and federations in the years to come.

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