Key Takeaways
- • Clifford Chance has appointed Charles H. Baker as a partner in its Private Equity practice, bringing more than 30 years of US and international sports and entertainment experience, according to Legal Desire.
- • Baker joins from Sidley Austin and will chair the firm's global Entertainment and Sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates.
- • Baker is advising on the record-breaking US$12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction and recently advised on deals involving the San Diego Padres, Washington Commanders and Charlotte Hornets.
- • The hire is Clifford Chance's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the US in 2026, and follows the arrival of former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley this month.
Summary
Global law firm Clifford Chance has appointed Charles H. Baker as a partner in its Private Equity practice, adding more than 30 years of experience across US and international sports and entertainment industries. Baker joins from Sidley Austin and will chair the firm's global Entertainment and Sports sector team alongside European partners Luis Alonso and Christopher Yates, according to the firm's announcement as reported by Legal Desire.
Baker has advised team owners, investors, private equity sponsors, leagues and sports-focused investment platforms across a wide range of competitions, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, WNBA, Liga MX, Formula 1 and multiple European football leagues. His work spans franchise acquisitions, league expansion, major ownership investments, media, gaming and strategic transactions, including substantial women's sports matters involving Gotham FC, the Denver Summit FC, Monarch Collective and Ariel Investments' Project Level.
The firm states Baker is currently advising on the record-breaking US$12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction. He recently advised on acquisitions of MLB's San Diego Padres, the NFL's Washington Commanders and the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, and on the sale of the NWSL's Angel City. He also represented Circuit of the Americas' F1 in its strategic partnership with Carlyle's Global Credit Platform, and the owners of the Premier Hockey Federation in a transaction that led to the launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League. Clients he has advised include Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady and Jozy Altidore on sports investments.
Spencer Baylin, global head of Private Equity, said private equity is redefining the sports sector, with investment accelerating at the highest levels. Neil Barlow, the firm's lead transatlantic partner for private equity sports, described Baker as a powerhouse in the sector. Luis Alonso, co-chair of global entertainment and sports, said the hire brings a market leader in the US sports sector, the most competitive market in the world.
Baker is the firm's second prominent private equity and sports hire this month, following former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley. The appointment represents Clifford Chance's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the US in 2026.
Baker has advised team owners, investors, private equity sponsors, leagues and sports-focused investment platforms across a wide range of competitions, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NWSL, WNBA, Liga MX, Formula 1 and multiple European football leagues. His work spans franchise acquisitions, league expansion, major ownership investments, media, gaming and strategic transactions, including substantial women's sports matters involving Gotham FC, the Denver Summit FC, Monarch Collective and Ariel Investments' Project Level.
The firm states Baker is currently advising on the record-breaking US$12.5 billion Los Angeles Lakers transaction. He recently advised on acquisitions of MLB's San Diego Padres, the NFL's Washington Commanders and the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, and on the sale of the NWSL's Angel City. He also represented Circuit of the Americas' F1 in its strategic partnership with Carlyle's Global Credit Platform, and the owners of the Premier Hockey Federation in a transaction that led to the launch of the Professional Women's Hockey League. Clients he has advised include Eli Manning, Kevin Durant, Tracy McGrady and Jozy Altidore on sports investments.
Spencer Baylin, global head of Private Equity, said private equity is redefining the sports sector, with investment accelerating at the highest levels. Neil Barlow, the firm's lead transatlantic partner for private equity sports, described Baker as a powerhouse in the sector. Luis Alonso, co-chair of global entertainment and sports, said the hire brings a market leader in the US sports sector, the most competitive market in the world.
Baker is the firm's second prominent private equity and sports hire this month, following former NFL General Counsel Jill Kelley. The appointment represents Clifford Chance's 11th private capital partner hire and 13th partner addition in the US in 2026.
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