Variety named Century City partner Matthew C. Thompson to its 2020 “Variety500” report, 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. Matt was one of only a handful of lawyers profiled amongst industry titans and household names such as Oprah Winfrey, Lorne Michaels, LeBron James, Roger Goodell, Adam Silver, Drake, John Malone, Mark Zuckerberg, Bob Iger, Jeff Bezos, Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos, Barry Diller, Will Smith, Howard Stern, the Murdochs, the Ellisons, Brad Pitt, and Dwayne Johnson.
In its profile, Variety recognized Matt for founding and leading Sidley’s media and entertainment group and for his role “at the center of a wide variety of sizable showbiz transactions, from talent deals to slate financing to the purchase and sale of companies.” Matt was commended for his recent sports-related headline deals representing Dwayne Johnson and his business partner Dany Garcia in their partnership with RedBird Capital Partners LLC to purchase the XFL out of bankruptcy, along with restructuring and relaunching the league. He also received praise as lead counsel for The Raine Group LLC in the formation of action-sports company Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, which brought together Nitro Circus, Street League Sports Racing, and Superjacket Productions.
