£16.3m invested in The Arena Group

MML Capital Partners LLP and Sports Investment Partners has invested £16.3m in The Arena Group The new investment will fund the future development of the Arena Group, particularly in the Far East; but was also used to repay a significant portion of the group’s bank debt to allow some shareholders to realise their investment and to acquire the balance of Harlequin Marquees and Event Services Limited, which the Arena Group did not already own.
 
Deloitte provided financial, commercial and tax due diligence and tax structuring advice for MML Capital and Sports Investment Partners on their investment in the Arena Group. Sarah Sturt, Partner, Corporate Finance led the team, she commented: “Deloitte has an in-depth knowledge of the sports sector through its Sports Business Group and its role as Official Professional Services Provider to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, enabling the firm to assist MML and SIP on this transaction.”

Speechly Bircham acted as the legal adviser to long standing client the Arena Group on the private equity fundraising by MML Capital Partners LLP and Sports Investment Partners.  Chris Putt, corporate finance partner, led the firm-wide team at Speechly Bircham providing the Arena Group with corporate, banking, employment, tax and anti-bribery advice. Chris commented:

“Part of the new investment was used to repay a significant portion of the Arena Group’s bank debt to allow some shareholders (of which there were many) to realise their investment and to acquire the balance of Harlequin Marquees and Event Services Limited, which the Arena Group did not already own.”