Title: Investing in the NFL: Are Teams Publicly Traded?
The National Football League (NFL) is a massive business, generating an estimated $20 billion in annual revenue and aiming to reach $25 billion by 2027, powered by new media deals and other revenue sources. Despite its size, the NFL remains a private organization, and its teams follow suit, making it impossible for fans to invest directly in the league.
While the NFL doesn't have an initial public offering (IPO) on the horizon, there are ways for sports enthusiasts to invest in the broader industry. One option is to consider investing in companies with sports ties, such as:
- Atlanta Braves Holdings (NASDAQ: BATRA, NASDAQ: BATRK): This company manages the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club and its stadium, as well as the mixed-use development, The Battery Atlanta. Atlanta Braves Holdings became an independent publicly traded organization in 2023 after separating from Liberty Media Corporation.
- Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS): Operating the NBA's New York Knicks, the NHL's New York Rangers, as well as two development league teams, MSGS was spun off from Madison Square Garden Entertainment in 2020. The company achieved record revenues of over $1 billion in its 2024 fiscal year and a record operating income of $146 million.
- Rogers Communications (RCI): Largest wireless service provider in Canada, Rogers Communications operates several media and sports assets, including the Toronto Blue Jays baseball club, the Rogers Centre, and Sportsnet (Canada's leading sports entertainment network).
Investors can purchase shares in these companies by opening a brokerage account and following these steps:
- Open a brokerage account: Select a reputable provider from the list of best-rated brokers and trading platforms.
- Determine your budget: Allocate your investment funds, keeping in mind the principle of diversification.
- Research: Thoroughly investigate potential investments to ensure you understand their financial health and growth prospects.
- Place an order: Develop a trading strategy—limit or market order—and execute your investments through your brokerage account's order page.
Although the NFL may not be publicly traded, there are still ways to connect with your passion for football by investing in associated entities.
As evidenced by the provided examples, individuals interested in investing in the sports industry can consider companies with sports ties, such as Atlanta Braves Holdings, Madison Square Garden Sports, and Rogers Communications. By opening a brokerage account, determining a budget, researching potential investments, and executing orders through the account, investors can gain exposure to these organizations and potentially benefit from their success in the finance world.
