All articles tagged with #sports investment
Robert Wood Johnson, the billionaire owner of the New York Jets and former US Ambassador to the UK, has acquired a significant minority stake in the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. The investment, expected to be confirmed during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, positions Johnson as a private investor focused on commercial growth in the United States, while Lawrence Stroll retains full operational control.
In May, ultra-high-net-worth family offices made 51 direct sports investments, including a $225 million round for Pickleball Inc., the parent company of Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour. Notable bets include Tom Dundon’s family office with Apollo, Michael Dell’s group taking a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, and Darco Capital’s backing of PlayerData (GPS vests and smart balls) used by Crystal Palace, highlighting sport as a diversification tool and inflation hedge.
High prices for NFL and NBA teams, driven by massive media-rights deals, are pushing investors to cheaper, smaller leagues like the NWSL. Expansion fees for new NWSL teams have surged (Columbus at $205M, up from earlier multi‑million marks), while overall league valuations climb to record levels. Private‑equity groups and consortium buyers are chasing these “second‑tier” sports as a way to gain exposure, causing bidding wars even as some bankers warn the underlying economics may not support such prices. The trend is underscored by record MLB sales and the broader value surge across professional sports, with little payoff in some women's leagues like the WNBA/NWSL aligned with new player deals, raising questions about long‑term profitability.)
Saudi Pro League giant Al Hilal has been sold by the Public Investment Fund to Kingdom Holding Company, valuing the club at SAR1.4 billion. Kingdom Holding now owns 70% of the club, with PIF retaining a 30% stake, as Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s firm pledges to unlock Al Hilal’s commercial potential and maintain its competitive ambitions.
Saudi Arabia is entering the football scene with a 2026 flag football tournament featuring Tom Brady and other sports stars, signaling its broader ambitions in American sports beyond traditional tackle football.
Ultra-wealthy families and their investment firms are increasingly investing in sports, including major leagues, social clubs, and emerging sports, viewing these as long-term, inflation-hedging assets with passion-driven and value creation motives, despite a cautious approach towards women’s leagues and minor sports.
The New York Giants are selling a 10% stake to the Koch family at a record valuation of over $10 billion, making it one of the highest valuations for a sports team investment, with the deal still awaiting NFL approval.
Grand Slam Track, a new professional track circuit founded by Michael Johnson, is canceling its Los Angeles meet amid financial and strategic uncertainties, despite having raised nearly $40 million and hosting three meets in its first season. The cancellation raises questions about the viability of startup sports leagues and the future of innovative track and field competitions.
Major League Baseball is investing over 20% in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, marking a significant move into women's professional sports. The partnership includes marketing, content distribution, and broadcasting rights, with games scheduled on MLB Network and MLB.tv. This investment aims to elevate women's softball, create more opportunities for female athletes, and grow the sport's visibility, with plans for expansion and increased media presence in the coming years.
The Miami Dolphins have announced a strategic investment deal with Ares Management and Brooklyn Nets owners Joe Tsai and Oliver Weisberg, who will acquire minority stakes in the team and related assets like Hard Rock Stadium and the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Ares will hold a 10% stake, while Tsai and Weisberg will share a 3% interest. This investment aims to support continued growth in Stephen Ross' South Florida sports and entertainment portfolio, with the transaction approved by the NFL and expected to close soon.
The Buffalo Bills have added 10 new limited partners to their ownership group, marking the first time in franchise history that minority owners have been included. The partners, approved at the NFL meetings in Dallas, include notable figures from business, sports, and entertainment, such as private equity firm Arctos, former NBA players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, and former soccer player Jozy Altidore. This partnership with Arctos represents one of the first private equity investments in an NFL team, highlighting a significant development in sports franchise ownership.
Everton has entered exclusive sale talks with the billionaire Friedkin family, potentially leading to a significant investment in the Premier League football club.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) through its new company, SRJ Sports Investments. This marks the first investment for SRJ and is part of Saudi Arabia's push to attract major global events to the country. The PIF aims to promote gender equality in sports, nurture local and regional talent in martial arts, and bring new opportunities to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. The value of the deal, reported to be $100 million, was not disclosed.