Matthew C. Thompson

The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Sidley a finalist at the 2025 M&A Awards, the inaugural edition of the awards. Mehdi Khodadad, global co-leader of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee, has been named a finalist in the “Attorney of the Year” category. Matthew C. Thompson, co-leader of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group, has also been named a “Dealmaker” nominee. Additionally, two Sidley deals have been highlighted. Warner Music Group’s US$1.2 billion joint venture formation with Bain Capital, led by Matthew C. Thompson, has been identified as a finalist in the “Deal of the Year – $1 Billion+” category, and Angel City FC’s definitive agreement with Willow Bay and Bob Iger to become the new controlling owners, led by Eric H. Geffner, has been named a finalist in the “Deal of the Year - $250 Million – $1 Billion” category.~~The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Sidley a finalist at the 2025 M&A Awards, the inaugural edition of the awards. Mehdi Khodadad, global co-leader of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of Sidley’s Executive Committee, has been named a finalist in the “Attorney of the Year” category. Matthew C. Thompson, co-leader of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group, has also been named a “Dealmaker” nominee. Additionally, two Sidley deals have been highlighted. Warner Music Group’s US$1.2 billion joint venture formation with Bain Capital, led by Matthew C. Thompson, has been identified as a finalist in the “Deal of the Year – $1 Billion+” category, and Angel City FC’s definitive agreement with Willow Bay and Bob Iger to become the new controlling owners, led by Eric H. Geffner, has been named a finalist in the “Deal of the Year - $250 Million – $1 Billion” category.

Sep 22

1 min

Matthew C. Thompson and Rollin A. Ransom, co-leaders of Sidley's Entertainment, Sports and Media group, have been named to Billboard’s list of “Top Music Lawyers” for 2025. The annual list honors lawyers from various sectors and specialties, including litigation, transactional, copyright, licensing, and policy advocacy, who have made significant contributions to the legal landscape of the music industry. Their recognition follows a landmark representation of a sponsor consortium in its joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery to acquire and manage over 400,000 film and TV songs from iconic franchises. The deal, which involved complex legal and business issues across multiple jurisdictions and sectors, required innovative solutions to ensure fair and equitable monetization of music assets on subscription platforms.~~Matthew C. Thompson and Rollin A. Ransom, co-leaders of Sidley's Entertainment, Sports and Media group, have been named to Billboard’s list of “Top Music Lawyers” for 2025. The annual list honors lawyers from various sectors and specialties, including litigation, transactional, copyright, licensing, and policy advocacy, who have made significant contributions to the legal landscape of the music industry. Their recognition follows a landmark representation of a sponsor consortium in its joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery to acquire and manage over 400,000 film and TV songs from iconic franchises. The deal, which involved complex legal and business issues across multiple jurisdictions and sectors, required innovative solutions to ensure fair and equitable monetization of music assets on subscription platforms.

Apr 22

1 min

Matthew C. Thompson, co-leader of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide, has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 “Power Lawyers” list, which annually profiles Hollywood’s top 100 lawyers. The Hollywood Reporter commended Matt’s work advising on deals for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company Artists Equity. He was also noted for brokering a multi-year deal for client Alex Cooper, with the “Call Her Daddy” star partnering with Nestlé to launch a hydration drink and for negotiating Molson’s US$53 million purchase of ZOA Energy, founded by Dwayne Johnson. Matt represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.~~Matthew C. Thompson, co-leader of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide, has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s 2025 “Power Lawyers” list, which annually profiles Hollywood’s top 100 lawyers. The Hollywood Reporter commended Matt’s work advising on deals for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company Artists Equity. He was also noted for brokering a multi-year deal for client Alex Cooper, with the “Call Her Daddy” star partnering with Nestlé to launch a hydration drink and for negotiating Molson’s US$53 million purchase of ZOA Energy, founded by Dwayne Johnson. Matt represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.

Apr 7

1 min

Matthew (Matt) C. Thompson, co-leader of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide, has been recognized in Variety’s 2024 “Dealmakers Impact Report,” which annually celebrates the top negotiators in the entertainment industry, including lawyers, financiers, executives, and entrepreneurs. Variety lauded Matt for handling the launch of Dwayne Johnson’s Papatui line of personal care products; the merger of the XFL with the USFL to create the United Football League in partnership with ESPN and Fox; and a deal for Dwayne Johnson to join the board of WWE parent company TKO Group Holdings, re-enter the ring, and take full ownership of the name “The Rock.” Based in Sidley’s Century City office, Matt represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.~~Matthew (Matt) C. Thompson, co-leader of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide, has been recognized in Variety’s 2024 “Dealmakers Impact Report,” which annually celebrates the top negotiators in the entertainment industry, including lawyers, financiers, executives, and entrepreneurs. Variety lauded Matt for handling the launch of Dwayne Johnson’s Papatui line of personal care products; the merger of the XFL with the USFL to create the United Football League in partnership with ESPN and Fox; and a deal for Dwayne Johnson to join the board of WWE parent company TKO Group Holdings, re-enter the ring, and take full ownership of the name “The Rock.” Based in Sidley’s Century City office, Matt represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies and other similar parties in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.

Dec 19

1 min

Five Sidley lawyers have been featured in Variety’s 2025 “Legal Impact Report.” The annual list identifies the leading transactional lawyers and litigators who are making a significant impact on the entertainment industry. It is the ninth consecutive year that members of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group have been recognized on the list. The following Sidley lawyers have been honored: Eric H. Geffner Matthew C. Thompson Russell G. Weiss Evie Whiting Emily Zipperstein Sidley has a long tradition of helping clients navigate the legal and business complexities of the entertainment, sports, and media industries. The team assists clients with significant M&A transactions, capital raises, complex joint ventures, financings, cutting-edge distribution deals, tax matters, high-profile litigations, restructurings, and regulatory matters.~~Five Sidley lawyers have been featured in Variety’s 2025 “Legal Impact Report.” The annual list identifies the leading transactional lawyers and litigators who are making a significant impact on the entertainment industry. It is the ninth consecutive year that members of Sidley’s Entertainment, Sports and Media group have been recognized on the list. The following Sidley lawyers have been honored: Eric H. Geffner Matthew C. Thompson Russell G. Weiss Evie Whiting Emily Zipperstein Sidley has a long tradition of helping clients navigate the legal and business complexities of the entertainment, sports, and media industries. The team assists clients with significant M&A transactions, capital raises, complex joint ventures, financings, cutting-edge distribution deals, tax matters, high-profile litigations, restructurings, and regulatory matters.

Apr 10

1 min