Robert Dobrzycki Acquires Majority Stake in Widzew Lodz
Deal News | Apr 11, 2025 | CEE Legal Matters
Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Robert Dobrzycki, president and co-owner of Panattoni, in acquiring a majority stake in the Polish football club Widzew Lodz from Tomasz Stamirowski. Widzew Lodz is a historic football club based in Lodz, Poland, with notable achievements, including four Polish championship titles and participation in European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. Panattoni, the real estate development firm Dobrzycki co-owns, has operations across Europe, India, and Saudi Arabia. The advisory team from Norton Rose Fulbright involved several key legal professionals from their Warsaw office, signaling the strategic importance of this transaction for both the real estate and sports industries.
Sectors
- Real Estate Development
- Sports and Entertainment
- Legal Services
Geography
- Poland – Widzew Lodz is based in Lodz, Poland, underscoring the local significance of this acquisition, both historically and economically, in the Polish sports landscape.
- Europe – Panattoni's operations in Europe position the acquisition within a broader continental context impacting the real estate and sports sectors.
Industry
- Real Estate Development – Panattoni's involvement in the transaction signals a cross-industry partnership between real estate and sports, with potential implications on investment strategies.
- Sports and Entertainment – The acquisition of Widzew Lodz highlights involvement in the sports industry, showcasing the intersection of investment in entertainment and sport assets.
- Legal Services – Norton Rose Fulbright provided legal advisory services, demonstrating the critical role of legal expertise in complex acquisitions within sports and real estate sectors.
Financials
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Dobrzycki | Acquirer | People | President and co-owner of Panattoni, involved in acquiring the majority stake in Widzew Lodz. |
| Panattoni | Acquirer's Company | Company | Real estate development firm with international operations, co-owned by Robert Dobrzycki. |
| Widzew Lodz | Target Company | Company | Historic Polish football club with a significant national and European legacy. |
| Tomasz Stamirowski | Seller | People | Former majority shareholder in Widzew Lodz. |
| Norton Rose Fulbright | Legal Advisor | Company | International law firm that provided advisory services for the transaction. |