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Eric Geffner Joined Simpson Thacher to Lead Sports

The veteran sports lawyer has moved to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett to co-head the firm's expanding sports practice.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Soccer

Eric Geffner Joined Simpson Thacher to Lead Sports

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Eric Geffner has joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as a partner and co-head of its sports practice. He brings a deep background in high-profile transactions, including the $250 million sale of Angel City FC.

Why it matters

Geffner’s transition signals Simpson Thacher’s commitment to strengthening its sports advisory role as institutional investment in professional teams accelerates.

Eric Geffner managed seed financing and business structure for Angel City FC, which ultimately sold for $250 million in 2024. He stands 6-foot, 5-inches tall and brings experience from stints at O'Melveny & Myers and Sidley Austin.

The players

Eric Geffner

He is a partner and co-head of sports at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett who specializes in high-stakes professional sports team transactions.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

This global law firm headquartered in New York City provides legal services to financial institutions and corporations.

Angel City FC

This professional women's soccer team was founded in 2019 and operates in the National Women's Soccer League.

Bob Iger

He is a prominent media executive who, alongside Willow Bay, completed the acquisition of Angel City FC in 2024.

Willow Bay

She is an academic and former journalist who became a lead owner of Angel City FC in 2024.

The details

Geffner provides collaborative strategy and creative solutions during diligence, drawing on his experience advising on investments in the Washington Commanders, Charlotte Hornets, and Los Angeles Lakers. He is expected to play a larger role in institutional sports investment in his new capacity at the New York City-based firm.

Timeline

  1. 2016: Geffner joined O'Melveny & Myers.

  2. 2019: Angel City FC was founded by Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman, and Julie Uhrman.

  3. 2022: Geffner joined Sidley Austin.

  4. 2024: The sale of Angel City FC to Willow Bay and Bob Iger occurred.

  5. April 2026: Geffner joined Simpson Thacher.

Season Trajectory

Geffner's appointment reflects a shift in the sports landscape where legal firms are increasingly central to the massive valuations and complex ownership structures of modern teams. His expertise positions Simpson Thacher to capture a larger share of the burgeoning market for institutional sports dealmaking.

Professional sports teams will likely see more institutional capital influence their operations as firms like Simpson Thacher bolster their advisory capacity. This shift suggests that future franchise sales and minority investments will continue to involve high-level legal architecture similar to the Angel City FC model.

The takeaway

The move underscores that elite sports law has become a primary pillar for top-tier law firms. Fans and investors should expect team ownership groups to continue utilizing sophisticated legal strategies to navigate multi-million dollar asset sales.

Further reading

For more on the business of the sport, visit Soccer.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.

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