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Apollo Closes on Purchase of CKX
As reported in The Hollywood Reporter, Paul, Weiss client Apollo Global Management announced yesterday the successful completion of its purchase of CKX, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKXE), the company that co-owns the rights to the television shows "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance," for approximately $560 million. The assets owned by CKX, which also include the names and likeness rights for Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali, and the operations of Graceland, present a strong foundation for Apollo, which has a successful history of investing in the media and entertainment sector, to build upon.
The Paul, Weiss team advising Apollo includes, among others, corporate partners Gregory A. Ezring, Neil Goldman, Charles H. Googe Jr., Terry E. Schimek, James H. Schwab and Mark B. Wlazlo; tax partners Brad R. Okun and David R. Sicular; litigation partners Lewis R. Clayton and Daniel J. Leffell; employee benefits partner Lawrence I. Witdorchic; and real estate partner Meredith J. Kane.