Sidley partner Matthew C. Thompson has been named to the 2022 “Variety500” list, an annual collection of the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry. The annual report profiles industry leaders who innovate, take risks, spur growth, and make the kind of moves that prompt consumers and professionals alike to take notice. This year’s list included the likes of Robert Iger, Dwayne Johnson (a Sidley client), Steven Spielberg, Reed Hastings, Ted Sarandos, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Dick Wolf, and Jennifer Lopez (spouse of Sidley client Ben Affleck). This is the fourth consecutive year he has been featured in the list.
In its profile, Variety commended Matt for his “significant role in MGM’s US$8.45 billion sale to Amazon” where he represented Mark Burnett, the 94-year-old studio’s co-chairman and largest individual equity holder. He was additionally noted for his representation of Words + Pictures co-founder Connor Schell, as well as the co-founders and minority equity holders of 44 Blue Production and Dorsey Pictures, in the formation of The North Road Company. He was further cited for handling the sale of Conan O’Brien’s podcast network, digital media business and Team Coco brand to SiriusXM and the Raine Group’s sale of Thrill One Sports & Enter¬tainment to Fertitta Capital.
Matt is co-leader of the firmwide Entertainment, Sports and Media industry group. He represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies, and other similar parties, in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.
In its profile, Variety commended Matt for his “significant role in MGM’s US$8.45 billion sale to Amazon” where he represented Mark Burnett, the 94-year-old studio’s co-chairman and largest individual equity holder. He was additionally noted for his representation of Words + Pictures co-founder Connor Schell, as well as the co-founders and minority equity holders of 44 Blue Production and Dorsey Pictures, in the formation of The North Road Company. He was further cited for handling the sale of Conan O’Brien’s podcast network, digital media business and Team Coco brand to SiriusXM and the Raine Group’s sale of Thrill One Sports & Enter¬tainment to Fertitta Capital.
Matt is co-leader of the firmwide Entertainment, Sports and Media industry group. He represents entertainment companies and sources of capital in complex M&A and financing transactions, as well as general corporate matters. He also represents entertainment companies, and other similar parties, in a wide variety of industry-focused commercial transactions.
