Textor sues DLA Piper over football ownership losses
John Textor is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from DLA Piper over alleged failures in structuring his football investments, while the law firm rejects his claims and says its legal work met its professional obligations.
John Textor has filed a legal malpractice lawsuit against DLA Piper in Florida, alleging that its handling of transactions behind his multi-club football business exposed him to substantial personal liabilities and contributed to his loss of control over club investments.The claim concerns the firm’s work on Eagle Football Holdings and raises allegations about conflicts of interest, contractual protections and whether Textor received independent advice when his personal interests differed from those of the company.John Villa, the Williams & Connolly partner representing DLA Piper, said: “The well-publicized problems he and his companies have encountered had nothing to do with the quality of the lawyering, which was excellent in all respects.“We are confident that DLA has fulfilled its professional responsibilities and will be vindicated here.”Textor’s complaint, filed in Florida’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court, seeks hundreds of millions of dollars in damages arising from the legal arrangements underpinning his international football investments.He alleges that mistakes by DLA Piper lawyers weakened his position in a business involving four clubs across England, France, Brazil and Belgium, including Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais.The allegations include claims concerning Richard Chesley, DLA Piper’s co-global managing partner, over the handling and structuring of transactions.According to the complaint, the firm presented itself as Textor’s personal legal adviser while simultaneously representing Eagle Football Holdings, without recommending that he obtain separate personal counsel.Textor alleges that DLA Piper sought a conflict waiver only after undertaking and billing substantial work for both him and Eagle, and that the waiver was addressed to the company rather than to him personally.The distinction forms a central part of his case because contractual arrangements could create different risks for the holding company and the individual providing personal commitments.Eagle acquired a 43% stake in Crystal Palace, a 90% interest in Botafogo and a 77% holding in Lyon between 2021 and 2022.One disputed arrangement concerns a put option involving Iconic Sports Eagle Investment connected with the Lyon acquisition.Textor alleges that his signature was attached to a document containing revisions he had not approved, exposing him to personal obligations that he claims cost him US$90m.Those assertions remain allegations in the lawsuit, with DLA Piper rejecting the claim that its legal advice caused his losses.Villa described Textor as a “very experienced and sophisticated businessman” who understood the risks associated with the transactions.The proceedings add to litigation surrounding Eagle’s financing and ownership structure, including disputes between Textor and financial backers following a failed special purpose acquisition company transaction.Textor is represented by McDonald Hopkins partner Alan Burger, while DLA Piper has retained Williams & Connolly to defend the malpractice claim.