Brian M.
Budnick

On August 5, 2025, ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”), and the National Football League (“NFL”) announced a non‑binding agreement under which ESPN will acquire NFL Network and certain other media assets owned and controlled by the NFL, including NFL’s linear RedZone Channel and NFL Fantasy, in exchange for a 10% equity stake in ESPN. The NFL and ESPN are also entering into a second non‑binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets. Cravath is representing Disney and ESPN in connection with the transaction.

On August 4, 2025, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Quikrete Holdings, Inc. (“Quikrete”) for the exchange of certain assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Martin Marietta will receive aggregates operations producing approximately 20 million tons annually in Virginia, Missouri, Kansas and Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as $450 million of cash. In exchange, Quikrete will receive Martin Marietta’s Midlothian cement plant, related cement terminals and North Texas ready‑mixed concrete assets.

On July 22, 2025, private investment firm Lindsay Goldberg announced the sale of Liquid Tech Solutions, a tech-enabled provider of on-site mobile refueling solutions, to Velocity Rail Solutions, a Wind Point Partners portfolio company. Cravath is representing Lindsay Goldberg in connection with the transaction.

On July 7, 2025, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (“White Mountains”), a Bermuda‑domiciled financial services holding company, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Distinguished Programs (“Distinguished”), an MGA and program administrator for special property & casualty insurance. White Mountains will acquire approximately 50% of Distinguished’s outstanding equity interests for $230 million, which will result in White Mountains holding a 51% controlling interest in Distinguished following the closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing White Mountains in connection with the transaction.

On March 17, 2025, PepsiCo, Inc. (“PepsiCo”) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire poppi, a prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earnout consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of the transaction. Cravath is representing PepsiCo in connection with the transaction.

On October 1, 2024, Volunteers of Legal Service (VOLS) named Cravath practice area attorney Brian M. Budnick to its 2024 Pro Bono Dean’s List, which recognizes individuals who have made an impact in helping New Yorkers access justice. Brian was recognized for his work with the VOLS Children’s Project, through which he has spent the past four years advocating for a critically ill and severely disabled child receiving life-saving medical treatment at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, and his family. Brian has worked with VOLS to address the family’s immigration legal needs and to secure housing for them while their child is in the hospital. In an interview with VOLS, Brian spoke about the importance of pro bono work, noting that “legal analysis and work product can change the trajectory of someone’s life,” and advising junior attorneys that “there’s no better way to make a positive impact than pro bono work.”