Sheppard Mullin is retained as outside counsel for GPE. Senior Partner Kelly Crabb named as League Counsel.

Grand Prix Entertainment Retains Sheppard Mullin’s Acclaimed Sport Law Practice to Form New U.S. Professional Rugby Venture

LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct 28, 2011 (Marketwire) – In a joint release issued today, the international law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP and Grand Prix Entertainment, Inc., a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment company, announced that Sheppard Mullin has been retained to assist Grand Prix Entertainment in the formation of a soon to be announced sports and entertainment venture. The announcement further noted that Sheppard Mullin, with partner Kelly C. Crabb as team leader, will act as Grand Prix Entertainment's Outside Counsel effective immediately.

Grand Prix Entertainment was granted the United States Exclusive Sanction and License Rights to own, operate and globally broadcast professional, and the now Olympic, sport of Union Rugby Sevens, by USA Rugby, the United States official governing body for the sport of Union Rugby. USAR is a member of both the Rugby World Cup's International Rugby Board and the United States Olympic Committee.

“We are excited to have enlisted the power and global resources of Sheppard Mullin with Kelly Crabb at the helm of our efforts,” said Grand Prix Entertainment's Chairman William Tatham. “Kelly brings significant advisory experience in global sports through his extensive work with the Beijing and Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committees and will oversee all the critical legal milestones related to our soon to be announced venture with USA Rugby.”