International law firm Bird & Bird advised Cosmobilis, a leading European platform for automotive technology and services, on its acquisition — alongside private debt investor Park Square Capital — of the commercial rights to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), two of the most prestigious championships in motorsport.
This transaction marks a new era for the WRC and the ERC, which aim to establish themselves amongst the world’s leading sporting franchises by expanding their international audience and developing new commercial opportunities across more than 30 countries.
The Championships, which attract more than 1.3 billion television viewers each year, will benefit from Cosmobilis’s automotive, commercial and technological expertise, gaining access to its extensive industrial ecosystem — comprising 30 car manufacturers, 12,000 commercial touchpoints and 100,000 automotive professionals. This convergence of mobility, technology, data, media and motorsport is designed to strengthen partnerships with manufacturers, distributors, commercial partners and event organisers, whilst enhancing the fan experience.
The transaction represents a significant milestone for the French group Cosmobilis, which becomes the global operator of a top-tier sports franchise.
Bird & Bird advised Cosmobilis on this international transaction through a Franco-German cross-border team comprising Partner Etienne Guillou, and Associate Mérine Avaby on French tax matters; Counsel Lionel Berthelet, on French corporate matters; Partner Rolf Schmich, and Counsel Michael Brüggemann, on German tax matters; and Partner Sandra Schuh, Associate Michelle Pohl, and Associate Alexander McAboy, on German corporate matters.
