Key Takeaways
- • Clifford Chance has appointed Charles H. Baker as a partner in its Private Equity practice, joining from Sidley Austin with more than 30 years of experience advising sports franchise owners, private equity investors and leagues.
- • Baker will co-chair the firm's global Entertainment and Sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates.
- • Baker is currently advising on the $12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction, one of the largest deals in professional sports history.
- • The hire is Clifford Chance's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the United States during 2026, following the recruitment of former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley.
Summary
Global law firm Clifford Chance has appointed Charles H. Baker as a partner in its Private Equity practice, strengthening the firm's capabilities in sports and entertainment transactions as institutional investment in professional sports continues to expand. Baker joins from Sidley Austin, bringing more than 30 years of experience advising sports franchise owners, private equity investors, leagues and investment platforms on acquisitions, ownership transactions and strategic partnerships, according to the firm's announcement.
Baker will co-chair Clifford Chance's global Entertainment and Sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates, connecting the firm's U.S. sports transaction capabilities with its international private equity practice. His practice spans franchise acquisitions, league expansion, ownership investments, media rights, gaming and cross-border transactions. He has advised clients across major leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, WNBA, Liga MX, Formula 1 and European football.
Baker is currently advising on the $12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction. His recent work also includes advising on acquisitions involving the Washington Commanders, Charlotte Hornets and San Diego Padres, as well as the sale of NWSL franchise Angel City. He represented Circuit of the Americas' Formula 1 operations in a strategic partnership with Carlyle's Global Credit Platform and advised the owners of the Premier Hockey Federation in a transaction that contributed to the creation of the Professional Women's Hockey League. His women's sports experience includes transactions involving Gotham FC, Denver Summit FC, Monarch Collective and Ariel Investments' Project Level, and he has advised athletes including Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady and Jozy Altidore on sports-related investments.
Spencer Baylin, Global Head of Private Equity at Clifford Chance, said that "private equity is redefining the sports sector with investment accelerating at the highest levels and driving a new generation of major global deals." Baker said the firm's international platform would allow him to expand his work with investors and sports organizations pursuing increasingly complex transactions across multiple markets.
The appointment follows Clifford Chance's recent recruitment of former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley. Baker represents the firm's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the United States during 2026, reflecting continued investment in its U.S. private equity practice and global sports advisory business as franchise valuations, institutional ownership structures and cross-border investment activity create new opportunities for legal and financial advisory services.
Baker will co-chair Clifford Chance's global Entertainment and Sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates, connecting the firm's U.S. sports transaction capabilities with its international private equity practice. His practice spans franchise acquisitions, league expansion, ownership investments, media rights, gaming and cross-border transactions. He has advised clients across major leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, WNBA, Liga MX, Formula 1 and European football.
Baker is currently advising on the $12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction. His recent work also includes advising on acquisitions involving the Washington Commanders, Charlotte Hornets and San Diego Padres, as well as the sale of NWSL franchise Angel City. He represented Circuit of the Americas' Formula 1 operations in a strategic partnership with Carlyle's Global Credit Platform and advised the owners of the Premier Hockey Federation in a transaction that contributed to the creation of the Professional Women's Hockey League. His women's sports experience includes transactions involving Gotham FC, Denver Summit FC, Monarch Collective and Ariel Investments' Project Level, and he has advised athletes including Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady and Jozy Altidore on sports-related investments.
Spencer Baylin, Global Head of Private Equity at Clifford Chance, said that "private equity is redefining the sports sector with investment accelerating at the highest levels and driving a new generation of major global deals." Baker said the firm's international platform would allow him to expand his work with investors and sports organizations pursuing increasingly complex transactions across multiple markets.
The appointment follows Clifford Chance's recent recruitment of former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley. Baker represents the firm's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the United States during 2026, reflecting continued investment in its U.S. private equity practice and global sports advisory business as franchise valuations, institutional ownership structures and cross-border investment activity create new opportunities for legal and financial advisory services.
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