Centrefield becomes latest sports boutique to take PE investment

Manchester sports law firm Centrefield, whose clients include Manchester United and Manchester City, has secured private equity backing from Palatine, becoming another prominent UK sports law boutique to attract outside investment this year.

The deal marks Palatine's first investment in legal services. The Manchester-based private equity firm typically invests between £10 million and £50 million in UK businesses, often supporting expansion through acquisitions.

Palatine is investing through its £254 million Buyout Fund V, although financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Centrefield plans to use the investment to fund domestic and international expansion, targeting the US and key European markets through organic growth and acquisitions, according to regional business news outlet TheBusinessDesk.

Football specialists

Founded in 2015, Centrefield specialises in sports and media law, advising clubs, governing bodies, players and agents on matters ranging from transfers and contracts to regulatory disputes, sponsorship and broadcasting rights.

During the summer 2025 transfer window, Centrefield advised on deals involving 18 Premier League clubs and transfer fees totalling almost £1.8 billion, with transactions spanning more than 30 countries.

The firm has grown to seven partners and a team of around 30, including support staff.

PE targets sports

The deal comes just over six months after London sports law boutique Northridge secured a minority investment from US private equity firm Cordillera Investment Partners.

Northridge, founded in 2017 by former Charles Russell Speechlys partners, has advised on major transactions including the sales of Chelsea, Everton and AC Milan. Like Centrefield, it is using outside capital to support international expansion.

Last year, former Mishcon de Reya sports head Simon Leaf and fellow former Mishcon lawyer Tom Murray launched Three Points Law, establishing a new AI-enabled boutique focused on sports and technology.

Major international firms have also been strengthening their sports practices. Paul Hastings recruited former Slaughter and May partner Mark Zerdin to lead its new global sports practice, while Linklaters hired Paul Weiss litigators Christopher Boehning and Daniel Levi in New York, with Boehning appointed chair of its global sports practice.