International law firms Bird & Bird and Sheppard Mullin, acting as co-counsel, have jointly advised Swansea City AFC on a landmark investment that sees global music icon Snoop Dogg join the club as an investor and co-owner.
The investment by Snoop Dogg follows on from the April 2025 investment in the club by Luka Modrić, the former Ballon d’Or winner, on which Sheppard Mullin and Bird & Bird also advised the club. Snoop Dogg and Luka Modrić are now both part of the US-based majority ownership group led by entrepreneurs and controlling shareholders Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen.
These latest developments follow Bird & Bird and Sheppard Mullin’s earlier representation of the majority owners in their acquisition of a controlling interest in Swansea City AFC and their capital infusion into the club that completed in November 2024. Founded in 1912, Swansea City AFC currently competes in the EFL Championship.
The Bird & Bird team advising on the transaction was led by partner Matt Bonass and senior associate Will Holder, with support from tax partners, Zoe Feller, Jesse Dalton, Montserrat Turrado and Sarah Ferguson, tax senior associate Andrew Rink and corporate associate Will Alms.
The Sheppard Mullin team was led by partners Jason Jones, Linda Michaelson and Brian Anderson with further contributions from partner John Crisp, and associates Annie Alvarado, Luke Fishman, and Matt Rebelo.
Commenting on the deal, Matt Bonass, lead partner at Bird & Bird, said: “This is a transformative moment for Swansea City. The involvement of global icons like Snoop Dogg and Luka Modrić not only brings international attention to the club but also reflects the strength of its long-term vision and leadership. We’re proud to have supported this exciting transaction alongside Sheppard Mullin. This deal truly highlights Bird & Bird’s profile in the global sports sector.”
Jason Jones, lead partner at Sheppard Mullin, added: “We are proud to support Swansea City and its ownership group in advancing their bold vision and ambition for the club. The addition of such high-profile figures to the ownership group marks a new chapter for the club, and we’re thrilled to have played a role in making it happen.”
