David R. Haber - Associate

David Haber is an Associate at MZ Sports LLC. He joined the firm in 2004 and provides financial and operational advisory services to the firm’s clients. In the past four years, Mr. Haber has advised on sixteen acquisitions of sports properties, including six closed acquisitions: the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Cavaliers, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Seattle Supersonics, Portland Beavers and Salem Avalanche. Mr. Haber has assisted in the financial and strategic analysis for a variety of engagements including the following:

• Advised the Lerner Family on the acquisition of the Washington Nationals from Major League Baseball that closed in July 2006;
• Advised Henry and Susan Samueli on the acquisition of the Anaheim Ducks from the Walt Disney company that closed in July 2005;
• Advised Dan Gilbert on the acquisition of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the operating rights to Gund Arena that closed in March 2005, including a complex senior/sub debt structure;
• Advised Merritt Paulson on the acquisition of the Portland Beavers that closed in June 2007;
• Advised the Kansas City Royals on the financing plan and proposed lease terms for extensive stadium renovations for the Royals and Chiefs;
• Advised the New Jersey Devils on the financing plan for their new arena, and developed detailed operating projections to support the team in its discussions with lenders;
• Advised the Atlanta Falcons in the restructuring of their operating relationship with the Georgia World Congress Center Authority;
• Advised the management and ownership of the San Francisco 49ers on the financing plan and negotiating strategy for their proposed new stadium development in Santa Clara;
• Advised the City of Anaheim in its pursuit of a National Football League franchise and the development of a new stadium;
• Advised the Florida Marlins on the financing plan and lease negotiations for their proposed new ballpark in Miami;
• Advised prospective buyers of major league franchises including the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia 76ers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues.

Mr. Haber graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2004, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics with a triple major in Finance, Marketing and Decision Processes.

Prior to joining MZ Sports, Mr. Haber worked at Bear, Stearns & Co. as a Summer Analyst in the Fixed Income Sales, Trading and Research division. Additionally, Mr. Haber has developed a strong background in a variety of disciplines within the sports industry, through positions with the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting Organization, Worldwide Entertainment & Sports, and The Sporting News