Paul A. Jacobs

A member of the Real Estate, Development & Construction team, Paul is one of Denver's best-known dealmakers. 

Generally acknowledged as the driving force behind Denver's 1990 Major League Baseball expansion bid, Paul had primary responsibility for structuring and organizing the ownership group, processing the National League franchise application and negotiating and documenting all major agreements of the franchise, including the partnership agreement, National League membership agreement, loan agreements, ballpark leases, concession agreements, broadcast rights agreements and major sponsorship agreements. He served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Colorado Rockies from the award of the franchise in 1991 through January 1995.

Paul continues to be involved with major league sports and has parlayed his experience and negotiating skills into a national practice. He was the lead negotiator for the City of San Diego in connection with its urban redevelopment project that included a new ballpark for the San Diego Padres and more than $1.2 billion in private investment by opening day in 2004. He also represented the City of San Diego in lease and new stadium negotiations with the National Football League (NFL) and the San Diego Chargers, the City of Fremont in its ballpark negotiations with the Oakland A's and the City of Oakland in connection with a proposed ballpark for the Oakland A’s. Paul also represented the City of Sacramento and the Wisconsin Center District in the development and leasing of new arenas for the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.

In 2012, Paul represented MountainStar Sports Group LLC in its acquisition of a Triple A minor league baseball franchise, the approved franchise relocation from Tucson, Ariz., to El Paso, Texas, and the development and lease of a new ballpark in El Paso.

From 1979-1990, Paul served as primary counsel for Associated Inns & Restaurants Co. of America (AIRCOA), one of the largest hotel management and development companies in the United States. He was involved in more than 100 hotel transactions, including development and construction, acquisition, financing, equity syndication (public and private) and disposition. In addition, he advised in franchising issues and participated in the development of the Clarion Hotel and Wynfield Inns brands. In 1989-1990, Paul was lead counsel in structuring, negotiating and documenting the sale of all Associated Inns’ assets to Regal Hotels Ltd.