In addition to the other good pre-Labor Day news that we've seen today, I wanted to let you know that IGN Entertainment, Inc. just closed its going private transaction. Shareholders of IGN were paid approximately $30 million. F&W began representing IGN shortly after its formation in 1999 and took IGN public in March 2000. The firm has represented IGN in many capacities, including litigation, licensing, trademark, copyright, privacy, real estate, corporate, M&A and securities work since that time. IGN was one of the last Internet companies to go public before the Internet bubble burst. Unlike many of its contemporaries, IGN survived the last three years and has regained substantial value since its low point in late 2001. The going private transaction reflects a revived type of deal that a number of companies are now considering. This transaction stretched our capabilities and gives us an excellent reference for transactions involving difficult fiduciary issues similar to those involved in leveraged buyouts. We continue to represent IGN and hope that IGN will keep growing as the leading information and entertainment destination for teen and young adult gamers.
Individuals who played substantial roles in the transaction include Bill Hughes, who, with guidance from Jeff Vetter, led the transaction to a very smooth conclusion on both the corporate and securities fronts, and Kathleen Greeson, Ron Schrotenboer, Scott Spector, David Forst, Eileen Robinett, Blake Stafford, Doug Cogen, Stephen Gillespie, Evette Pennypacker, Greg Hartker, Mona Clee, Monifa Clayton, Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Liza Morgan, Cameron Sheldon, Anne Dana, Nick Tatlonghari, Helen Guevara, Louise Roberts, Adreene Harper, Mary Zona, Catherine Tenner and Candida Cappadocia and others whose efforts are very much appreciated.