Simpson Thacher & Bartlett announced the addition of Michael Kuh and Eric Geffner as partners, with Matthew Carpenter-Dennis set to join, strengthening the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice and Sports, Media and Entertainment platform.
Kuh and Geffner will serve as Co-Heads of the firm’s Sports group, reflecting growing demand for advisory services across sports-related transactions. The hires come amid increasing activity from alternative asset managers and institutional investors expanding into sports assets, including multi-club ownership models, infrastructure, and experiential businesses.
The expanded team is positioned to support clients navigating the evolving sports investment landscape, which is seeing rising valuations and increasing deal complexity. The firm noted that sports has become an increasingly active area within M&A, requiring expertise across commercial, operational, and financing structures.
Kuh, based in New York, advises a wide range of clients including private equity firms, family offices, and sports organizations on high-stakes transactions across the sports and entertainment sectors. Geffner, based in Los Angeles, focuses on advising private companies and investors on M&A, joint ventures, and investments, including transactions involving professional sports teams and related assets.
Carpenter-Dennis brings more than a decade of experience from the National Basketball Association, where he most recently served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. His experience includes overseeing team ownership transactions, capital structuring, and arena financings, as well as contributing to frameworks that enabled private equity investment in NBA teams.
The appointments reinforce Simpson Thacher’s broader strategy of expanding its capabilities in high-growth sectors, including sports, media, and entertainment, where institutional capital continues to drive transaction activity and innovation.
KEY QUOTES
“The sports landscape continues to evolve, and we are seeing significant momentum from our alternative asset manager clients who are expanding their investments into multi-club platforms, real estate and infrastructure assets, and adjacent experiential businesses. Mike, Eric and Matt are well known for their industry and business expertise spanning game-changing deals involving alternative asset managers. We are excited to welcome them to the Firm.”
Alden Millard, Chair Of The Executive Committee, Simpson Thacher
“Sports has become an increasingly active frontier in M&A, and this team will provide clients with unparalleled insight into the commercial, operational and investment dynamics shaping the global sports industry, as well as seamless transactional execution. Mike and Eric have quarterbacked several prominent and complex sports transactions from private practice, while Matt brings an insider edge honed through his years at the NBA, making them ideal additions to our preeminent global M&A team.”
Eric Swedenburg, Global Head Of Mergers And Acquisitions, Simpson Thacher
“Today’s sports deals require more than just traditional league navigation. They require a sponsor’s mindset and the ability to stitch together multi-asset solutions and related financing. Simpson Thacher’s renowned M&A, funds, financing and tax capabilities, combined with its premier alternative asset manager client base made joining the Firm an easy decision.”
Michael Kuh, Partner, Simpson Thacher
“Rising valuations and an active sponsor landscape are fueling strong interest in a rapidly evolving sports industry that has considerable room to run. I am excited to join the Firm and help clients achieve their business goals within the sector.”
Eric Geffner, Partner, Simpson Thacher
“During my time at the NBA, I have witnessed first-hand the unprecedented growth and increasing complexity of the sports industry. Simpson Thacher’s collaborative culture and enterprise mindset make it the ideal platform to help clients pursue opportunities across the industry, where the best outcomes demand creativity, strategic vision and sector-savvy execution.”
Matthew Carpenter-Dennis, Incoming Partner, Simpson Thacher
