William Fry advises on $5.9bn acquisition in entertainment industry

The deal is being implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under Irish law.

It is expected to be completed in Spring 2016, subject to customary closing conditions including anti-trust clearances, approval by King’s shareholders and sanction by the High Court in Dublin.

Members of William Fry’s Dublin team advising on the deal include corporate partners David Carthy, David Fitzgibbon and Susanne McMenamin, and corporate associates Paul White and Rachel Prendiville.

They also include employment & benefits partner Maura Roe and competition & regulation partner Cormac Little.

William Fry says the acquisition will allow the combined company to create one of the world’s largest entertainment networks encompassing some of the world’s most iconic interactive entertainment franchises.

William Fry previously advised King on it redomiciliation to Ireland and on Irish law issues in connection with its $7.2bn admission to trading on the New York Stock Exchange in March 2014, which was the biggest ever tech IPO by an Irish company.

William Fry said its mandate on the King transaction maintains its position as a leader in advising on public company transactions.