Matthew C. Thompson

MATTHEW THOMPSON is co-leader of the Entertainment, Sports and Media group firmwide. 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.

Matt currently serves as a member, and is co-chair emeritus of the UCLA Entertainment Symposium Advisory Committee, is a member of the Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports Law Advisory Board, and is a member of the USC-BHBA Entertainment Institute Advisory Board. He holds a number of leadership positions at Sidley including serving on the Greater Los Angeles Practice Development Committee; SidleyWomen; and the Greater Los Angeles Finance Committee.

Matt is a Band 1 ranked Chambers USA (California Media & Entertainment: Transactional) lawyer (2023–2025). Client feedback includes:

• “Matt is a brilliant counselor and deal-maker.” (2025)
• “Matt is the best in the business.” (2025)
• “He is very knowledgeable in the music space and he's very well liked in the market. He knows how to get a transaction finished in a way that protects us in a sensible way and where everyone feels happy at the end.” (2024)
• “Matthew Thompson has a thriving transactional practice, with particular expertise handling mergers and acquisitions. His client list includes prominent names in the TV and film industry.” (2023)
• “Matt is fantastic and has a vast understanding of the entertainment industry. On top of that, he is good to work with. He is realistic, efficient and drives great results.” (2023)
• “He calibrates resources appropriately, is a terrifically clear and concise communicator.” (2023)
• “He has a really great demeanor. Even in difficult situations, he manages to find a way through and is unflappable. Having Matt at the helm makes us confident.” (2023)

Representative Media and Entertainment Matters Include:

• A sponsor consortium comprised of global asset manager DWS Group (as sponsor and investment advisor to an investor consortium) and specialist investor in and manager of media music rights Cutting Edge Group (as lead investor and manager) in the creation of a joint venture with Warner Bros. Discovery that constitutes one of the largest and highest valued music rights deals ever executed covering almost a century’s worth of music copyrights (over 400,000 compositions and song cues – including the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises, DC Comics movies, as well as TV shows such as Friends, Game of Thrones, The Big Bang Theory, Two and Half Men, Succession, and The White Lotus).
• HarbourView Equity Partners, a global investment firm focused on investment opportunities in the entertainment and media space, in its efforts to acquire BET from Paramount Global pursuant to an auction process, including related equity and debt financing matters.
• The Gersh Agency (the only remaining major talent agency without outside investment) and the Gersh family members, in a strategic partnership with private equity firm Crestview Partners, to support the agency’s next phase of growth.
• Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in launching independent production company Artists Equity with a minimum US$100 million investment from private equity firm RedBird Capital Partners, and in connection with Artists Equity’s first project, “Air,” which received a unique theatrical release in advance of its Amazon Prime debut.
• Warner Music Group and its affiliates in various media and entertainment transactions including:
  • The formation of a joint venture with Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, to purchase up to US$1.2 billion of legendary music catalogs across both recorded music and music publishing.
  • The acquisition of a controlling stake in Tempo Music Investments, an investment platform for premium music rights of top songwriters, producers and artists (such as Adele and Bruno Mars), from Providence Equity Partners.
  • The formation of a joint venture with Elliot Grainge’s label, 10K Projects, whereby 10K Projects became a standalone label within the WMG ecosystem, and its rosters of artists, including Trippie Redd and Ice Spice, joined the WMG family.
  • The acquisition of 300 Entertainment and its roster of artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, and Gunna.
  • The acquisition of Artist Partner Group and its roster of artists.
  • The acquisition of the entire recorded-music catalogue of iconic rock band Yes including albums such as Fragile, Close to the Edge, and 90125.
  • The acquisition of Doug Morris’ 12Tone Music and its roster of artists.
• Heritage Advisors, a London based venture capital and investment management company, on certain technology and media related investments.
• Universal Music Group in various media and entertainment transactions.
• Kapital Entertainment and its founder Aaron Kaplan (Million Little Things, The Neighborhood, The Chi, Women of the Movement, Black Cake, Housebroken, Delhi Crime, Santa Clarita Diet, Life in Pieces, etc.) in a nine figure, multi-year joint venture with Viacom/CBS.
• Connor Schell (longtime chief creative officer at ESPN and driving force behind 30 for 30, O.J.: Made in America, and The Last Dance) in the formation and financing of a joint venture known as Words + Pictures with Chernin Entertainment, to produce high-end unscripted audio-visual content.
• Connor Schell of Words + Pictures, and the co-founders and minority equity holders of 44 Blue Productions and Dorsey Pictures, in the formation of The North Road Company, to produce scripted and non-scripted film and TV content across the U.S. and international markets, with debt financing provided by Apollo and equity financing provided by Providence, including the merger of Words + Pictures into North Road, the elevation of Connor Schell to President and the acquisition of Red Arrow Studios’ U.S. assets including 44 Blue and Dorsey Pictures. 
• The Raine Group and several of its affiliates in the formation of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, including:
  • The disposition of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, encompassing brands Superjacket Productions (producers of the long-running Ridiculousness franchise), Nitro Circus, Street League Skateboarding, Nitro Rallycross, and Thrill One Media, to Fertitta Capital, and certain related transactions.
  • The acquisition of SuperJacket Productions (Ridiculousness, The Dude Perfect Show, Rob & Big, and Rob Dydrek’s Fantasy Factory, etc.).
  • The acquisition of Street League Skateboarding, one of the world’s premier street skateboarding competition leagues.
  • The merger into the group of Nitro Circus, one of the leading action sports live event producers in the world.
  • An equity raise led by Causeway Media Partners, a leading growth venture firm.
  • A debt raise led by MidCap Financial, an Apollo affiliate.
  • A long-term employment arrangement with new group CEO Joe Carr, former senior executive at UFC and the World Surf League.
• Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and certain of their affiliates in connection with various corporate transactions including:
  • A strategic partnership with Under Armour in connection with the development of the “Project Rock” apparel line.
  • A joint venture to launch PAPATUI, a men’s personal care brand initially available solely on-line and exclusively at more than 1,400 Target locations.
  • Joining the TKO Group board — the publicly traded company comprised of the WWE and the UFC — and entering into an overall agreement under which, among other things, Johnson gained full ownership of “The Rock” trademark, which had previously been owned by WWE.
  • The merger of the XFL with the United States Football League to launch a new professional spring football league known as the United Football League, on the heels of the acquisition of the XFL out of bankruptcy in partnership with RedBird Capital.
  • The launch of Teremana tequila through an industry unique global partnership and strategic alliance with Mast-Jägermeister, giving Teremana immediate access to its global network of retail, bar, and hospitality distributors.
  • Molson Coors Beverage Company’s acquisition of a majority ownership stake in ZOA Energy, an energy drink brand founded by Mr. Johnson, Ms. Garcia and others; also represented Mr. Johnson and Ms. Garcia in the launch of ZOA Energy in 2020, and Molson Coors’ initial partnership with the brand in 2021 and follow-on investment in September 2023.
  • A joint venture with IMG to launch Athleticon, a multi-day live event focused on athletics, wellness and entertainment.
• Partners Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman (the team behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Knives Out) in launching film and television production company T-Street, and entering into a joint venture and first look arrangement with Valence Media’s MRC Studio to fund T-Street’s operations.
• The founders of NEON in the formation of NEON (Best Picture Winner Parasite; I, Tonya; amongst others) including an eight figure equity raise led by 30West, an eight figure revolving credit facility led by MUFG Union Bank and several significant corporate transactions including joint ventures.
• NEON in the formation of DECAL, a joint venture with Bleecker Street, launched to be leading provider of digital distribution solutions to independent film producers and distributors.
• ITV plc and ITV America in various media and entertainment transactions including:
  
  • The acquisition from Leslie Greif of the minority interest in Thinkfactory Media not previously owned by ITV.
  • The acquisition from the founders of High Noon Entertainment of the minority interest in High Noon Entertainment not previously owned by ITV.
  • The acquisition from the founder of Loud Television of the minority interest in Loud Television not previously owned by ITV.
  • The acquisition from the founder of Outpost Entertainment of the minority interest in Outpost Entertainment not previously owned by ITV.
• IPC Television, its equity holders, and its founder Eli Holzman in various entertainment transactions including:
  • The sale of IPC to Core Media (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, 90 Day Fiancé) and the relaunch of the combined entities as Industrial Media with Holzman as CEO.
  • The sale of Industrial Media to Sony and the elevation of Holzman to President of Sony Non-Fiction with responsibly for all of Sony’s non-fiction television operations.
• PSP Investments, together with Investcorp, in making a significant minority investment in United Talent Agency. 
• Access Industries and its affiliate, Access Entertainment, in various media and entertainment transactions.
• Shamrock Capital Advisors and certain of its affiliates in various media and entertainment acquisitions and dispositions, including:
  • its strategic investment in acquiring a participation in New Regency, a leading independent entertainment company.
• Conan O’Brien, Jeff Ross, Team Coco, and certain related entities in various entertainment transactions including:
  • The sale of Team Coco, Conan O’Brien’s podcast network and digital media business, to SiriusXM. Team Coco includes O’Brien’s award-winning podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” along with a variety of other podcasts. Under the new agreement, Team Coco will continue to produce the network’s slate of podcasts and collaborate with SiriusXM to produce an original Team Coco comedy channel. The deal also includes a five-year talent agreement for O’Brien to remain host of his namesake podcast.
  • A high-value transaction with TBS, including the multi-year renewal of the late-night talk show Conan and the establishment of a global partnership with TBS spanning television, digital media, branded content, podcasting, mobile gaming, pay TV, social, and live events.
• TPG Growth and its affiliates in various media and entertainment transactions.
• A private equity sponsor with 11 figures under management in various media and entertainment transactions including the disposition of its interests in two separate slates of studio-produced films to other private equity sponsors.
• A family office with 11 figures in assets in various media, entertainment and sports-related transactions.
• Entertainment One Limited in numerous transactions including:
  • Darren Throop, former CEO of Entertainment One, in the nine figure potential reacquisition of the film and television divisions of Entertainment One from Hasbro in a public company carveout transaction, including negotiations with respect to equity and debt financing.
  • Key management, including CEO Darren Throop, in connection with Hasbro’s US$4 billion acquisition of Entertainment One, including the negotiation of long-term, post-acquisition employment arrangements.
  • The acquisition of unscripted television production company Blackfin and the negotiation of a long-term employment arrangement with Blackfin’s founder, Geno McDermott, whereby he was appointed eOne’s President, US Alternative Programming.
  • The nine-figure acquisition of an initial 51 percent interest in The Mark Gordon Company in 2015, the follow-on acquisition of the remaining 49 percent interest in The Mark Gordon Company in 2018 and the consummation of a multi-year exclusive producer arrangement with Mark Gordon in 2019.
  • The acquisition of a controlling interest in Sierra Pictures in 2015, the follow-on acquisition of the unowned portion of Sierra Pictures in 2018 and the entering into of long-term employment agreements with Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg.
  • The eight-figure minority investment in Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners.
  • The 2016 eight-figure acquisition of a controlling interest in Renegade83 (Naked and Afraid) and the 2022 follow-acquisition of remaining interest in Renegade83 not acquired as part of the initial transaction.
  • The significant minority investment in, and strategic partnership with, Canvas Media Studios.
  • Several long-term distribution arrangements including, with Renegade83, Sierra Affinity, Amblin Partners and The Mark Gordon Company.
  • The eight-figure investment in startup studio, Creative Labs, an affiliate of Creative Arts Agency.
  • A joint venture with Round Room Entertainment to create Round Room Live, a live touring business.
  • The acquisition of 100 percent of Dualtone Music Group.
• Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, and affiliated entities in numerous transactions including:
  • Sale of MGM to Amazon for US$8.45 billion.
  • Formation of One Three Media, a joint venture with Hearst Entertainment, resulting in shows including Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Shark Tank, and The Voice.
  • The nine-figure sale of a controlling interest in One Three Media, Mark Burnett Productions, and Lightworkers Media (a joint venture between Mark Burnett and Roma Downey) to MGM and the launch of United Artists Media Group.
  • The nine-figure sale of Mark Burnett, Roma Downey, and Heart Entertainment’s retained equity in UAMG to MGM and Mark Burnett’s elevation to President of Television at MGM.
  • One Three Media in the acquisition of a minority interest in Lucha Libre FMV. 
  • One Three Media in a multi-property distribution arrangement with Netflix.
  • One Three Media in a multi-year arrangement with Procter & Gamble to produce and exploit the People’s Choice Awards.
  • One Three Media in a straight-to-series long-term licensing arrangement with NBCU for the financing, production and exploitation of A.D.
  • One Three Media in a long-term distribution arrangement with MGM.
  • Lightworkers Media in an eight-figure P&A arrangement with Fox.
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation in making a significant investment in Charles King’s multicultural media company, Macro Entertainment, alongside other investors, including the Emerson Collective (Laurene Powell’s investment vehicle), the Ford Foundation, and The Libra Foundation.
• Pilgrim Studios and its principals in a nine-figure strategic transaction and long-term distribution arrangement with Lionsgate together with a follow-on transaction whereby Craig Piligian entered into a multi-year employment extension with Lionsgate pursuant to which he was elevated to Chairman of Pilgrim and President of Non-Fiction at Lionsgate.
• Alliance Holdings in various transactions including:
  • The acquisition of a significant interest in a portfolio of media and entertainment assets, including interests in prominent films and television shows.
  • The acquisition financing in connection with its acquisition of a significant interest in a portfolio of media and entertainment assets, including interests in prominent films and television shows.
• Orion Entertainment and its principals in an eight-figure disposition of a controlling interest to Red Arrow Entertainment (a ProSiebenSat.l holding company) and in connection with a long-term distribution arrangement with Red Arrow Entertainment.
• 44 Blue Productions and its principals in an eight-figure disposition of a controlling interest to Red Arrow Entertainment (a ProSiebenSat.1 holding company) and in connection with a long-term distribution arrangement with Red Arrow Entertainment.
• Leftfield Entertainment and its principals in numerous transactions including:
  • Nine-figure disposition of an 80 percent interest to ITV plc and the follow-on disposition of the remaining 20 percent. 
  • The eight-figure acquisition of a controlling interest in Sirens Media.
  • An eight-figure syndicated acquisition facility led by SunTrust.
  • A long-term distribution arrangement with ITV plc.
  • Establishment of joint ventures with production companies and producers.
• Bunim/Murray Productions and its principal in the nine-figure disposition of a controlling interest to Banijay Entertainment.
• AwesomenessTV (a Dreamworks Animation, Hearst Entertainment and Verizon company) in a complex, multi-jurisdictional joint venture with Endemol Shine Group (a joint venture of Apollo and Fox).
• Relativity Media in numerous transactions including:
  • Multiple nine-figure syndicated P&A credit facilities.
  • A nine-figure syndicated Ultimate’s credit facility.
  • A nine-figure corporate reorganization/recapitalization including syndicated senior and mezzanine credit facilities.
• Comerica in connection with several syndicated senior credit facilities and numerous single-picture loan agreements.

*Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.

Awards and Recognitions:

• The Best Lawyers in America:
  • Named to Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television by Best Lawyers (2016–2022)
  • Named to Media Law by Best Lawyers (2016–2022)
• Billboard Magazine: Named a “Top Music Lawyer” by (2023–2025)
• Broadcasting & Cable: Named one of the “Top Dealmakers” (2015)
• Chambers USA: Ranked for California Media & Entertainment: Transactional by (2016–2025)
• The Deal:
  • Shortlisted for “Most Outstanding Deal of the Year” by The Deal for his work on the MGM sale to Amazon for US$8.45 billion, recognizing the leading lawyers driving the market forward (2022)
  • Shortlisted for“Entertainment & Media Dealmaker of the Year”, recognizing the leading lawyers in middle-market transactions (2019)
• Daily Journal:
  • Named a “Top 100 Lawyer” by the Daily Journal in a list recognizing the top 100 California lawyers for cutting-edge legal work (2019)
  • Named one of California’s “Top 50 Entertainment Lawyers” by the Daily Journal (2014)
• The Hollywood Reporter:
  • Named a “Power Lawyer for Creators” (2025)
  • Named a “Top 100 Power Lawyer” (2012–2025)
  • Named a “Top Music Attorney” (2024)
  • Named among “Top Dealmakers” in a list recognizing those behind Hollywood’s most significant deals of the year (2017–2023)
• International Financial Law Review (IFLR1000): Recommended for M&A (2017)
• The Legal 500:
  • Recommended for Sport (2025)
  • Named a “Leading Lawyer” for Media, Technology and Telecoms: Media and Entertainment (2017)
• Los Angeles Business Journal:
  • Named a “Dealmaker” nominee at the 2025 M&A Awards (2025)
  • Named one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” (2024)
• The National Law Journal: Named a “Sports/Gaming/Entertainment Law Trailblazer” (2021)
• Variety:
  • Featured in the “Dealmakers Impact Report” (2011, 2013–2024)
  • Named an honoree in the “Legal Impact Report” (2012–2013, 2016–2024)
  • Named in “Variety500”, an annual collection of the world’s most impactful people working in media and entertainment (2019–2022)

• Co-Chair Emeritus, UCLA Entertainment Symposium Advisory Committee
• Member, UCLA Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports Law  
• Member, USC-BHBA Entertainment Institute Advisory Board
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association