Sidley is advising the recently announced World Sevens Football (W7F), a revolutionary grand slam series for professional women footballers. W7F will launch in May 2025 in Portugal, with events to follow in cities across the U.S., Mexico, Asia, Europe, and beyond.
W7F will feature an electrifying, seven-a-side format that promises fast, high-scoring matches, global exposure, and game-changing financial opportunities for players and clubs. With a US$5 million prize pool per event, W7F will set a new standard in women’s football, delivering unparalleled rewards for players and clubs.
W7F is backed by co-founder, philanthropist, and minority owner of the NWSL’s Gotham FC and WSL’s Chelsea FC, Jennifer Mackesy. Justin Fishkin serves as co-founder and CEO, and former U.S. women’s national team player and Bay FC (NWSL) co-founder Aly Wagner serves as W7F’s Chief of Strategy. Several prominent soccer players are also involved and serving on the Player Advisory Council, including Tobin Heath, Kelley O’Hara, Anita Asante, Caroline Seger, and Laura Georges.
Century City partner Eric Geffner (Entertainment, Sports and Media (ESM)) is leading the cross-border Sidley team, which includes Chuck Baker, Dylan Sherwyn, and Ally Levy (ESM), Jake Funk (M&A/Emerging Companies and Venture Capital), Greg Matisoff (Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation), Rachel Kleinberg and Jonathan Westreich (U.S. Tax), and Jason Menzies, Fraser Tudor, and Ryan Power (UK Tax).
