Simpson Thacher Expands Sports M&A Practice With Senior Partner Appointments

Firm adds Michael Kuh, Eric Geffner, and Matthew Carpenter-Dennis to bolster sports, media, and entertainment capabilities.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:24am

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of legal documents, a pen, and a sports trophy on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the intersection of law, finance, and the sports industry.Simpson Thacher's expanded sports M&A practice aims to provide clients with unparalleled expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of sports-related transactions.Los Angeles Today

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 as alternative asset managers and institutional investors expand into sports assets.

Why it matters

The expanded team is positioned to support clients navigating the evolving sports investment landscape, which is seeing rising valuations and increasing deal complexity. Sports has become an increasingly active area within M&A, requiring expertise across commercial, operational, and financing structures.

The details

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.

  • Simpson Thacher announced the new hires on April 13, 2026.

The players

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

A global law firm that provides legal services to clients across a range of industries, including sports, media, and entertainment.

Michael Kuh

A new partner at Simpson Thacher who will serve as Co-Head of the firm's Sports group, advising clients on high-stakes transactions in the sports and entertainment sectors.

Eric Geffner

A new partner at Simpson Thacher who will serve as Co-Head of the firm's Sports group, focusing on advising private companies and investors on M&A, joint ventures, and investments in the sports industry.

Matthew Carpenter-Dennis

A new incoming partner at Simpson Thacher who brings over a decade of experience from the National Basketball Association, where he most recently served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel.

Alden Millard

The Chair of the Executive Committee at Simpson Thacher.

Eric Swedenburg

The Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions at Simpson Thacher.

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What they’re saying

“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

What’s next

The new partners are expected to officially join Simpson Thacher in the coming weeks, further strengthening the firm's sports, media, and entertainment capabilities.

The takeaway

Simpson Thacher's strategic expansion of its sports M&A practice reflects the growing demand for specialized legal expertise as alternative asset managers and institutional investors increasingly target sports-related assets and transactions.