Weekend Sports Roundup: Headlines from the sports world in the realm of private equity
In the world of sports, private equity and sovereign wealth funds have become key players, shaping the landscape and driving growth in various aspects.
A consortium led by Ari Emanuel, backed by Apollo Global Management and RedBird Capital Partners, has reportedly outbid CVC Capital Partners in a deal worth over $1bn to acquire the Madrid Open and Miami Open. This acquisition is part of a wider trend of private equity investments in major sports leagues, tournaments, and the youth sports market.
CVC Capital Partners, known for controlling one of the world's largest sports portfolios, including Six Nations Rugby, Premiership Rugby, and global tennis and cricket assets, is currently refinancing to increase leverage on its sports holdings worth over $12 billion. The firm aims to maximize commercial opportunities through media rights and sponsorship expansion while experimenting with new formats to grow audiences.
In the realm of youth sports, valued at around $40 billion, private equity is increasingly active as national brands backed by PE firms attempt to professionalize and scale the traditionally local, community-based leagues. The challenge remains to balance profitability with expanding access and quality of experience for young athletes.
The sports technology sector is also a magnet for growth equity and venture capital. Recent major funding rounds, such as Teamworks raising $235 million at a $1.3 billion valuation, highlight investments in AI-driven platforms that enhance performance and operational efficiency for professional, collegiate, and Olympic sports programs.
In Major League Baseball, private equity firms are making their mark. Sixth Street Partners has made its first investment in MLB by acquiring a stake in the San Francisco Giants. Arctos Partners holds stakes in five MLB franchises, reflecting the increasing involvement of private equity in sports franchises.
In the English Premier League, sovereign wealth funds have become key investors. For example, Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Capital gained exposure to the Los Angeles Lakers through TWG Global after the Lakers sold for $10 billion in June 2025. This reflects a broader trend where elite sports clubs transition ownership from wealthy individuals to institutional capital including SWFs.
The acquisition of Willow Springs International Raceway by CrossHarbor Partners and Singer Vehicle Design is a strategic private equity-backed investment in one of Southern California's most historic motorsport venues. The raceway, an iconic fixture of the region's car culture for over 70 years, will remain open to the public.
Meanwhile, Endeavor Group Holdings, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, has offloaded various businesses following a take-private deal by private equity giant Silver Lake. Chelsea Football Club reported a pre-tax profit of £128.4m for the year ending June 2024, marking a sharp recovery from the £90.1m loss in the previous year, largely attributed to £152.5m in player sales.
As the sports industry continues to evolve, private equity and sovereign wealth funds are set to play a significant role, shaping the future of sports businesses, from marquee franchises to grassroots youth leagues, and innovative technology platforms.
- In the sports world, private equity firms like Apollo Global Management and RedBird Capital Partners are playing decisive roles, optimizing investments in sports leagues, tournaments, and youth sports markets.
- Private equity has been instrumental in driving growth and change within the sports industry, acquiring major assets such as the Madrid Open and Miami Open.
- CVC Capital Partners, with a sports portfolio worth over $12 billion, is actively refinancing to amplify commercial opportunities via media rights, sponsorships, and novel formats.
- Youth sports, valued at around $40 billion, present an attractive target for private equity, with national brands collaborating to improve community-based leagues while maintaining profitability.
- The sports technology sector, home to AI-driven platforms like Teamworks, attracts growth equity and venture capital investments for enhancing performance and operational efficiency in sports programs.
- Private equity firms like Sixth Street Partners are becoming more prominent in Major League Baseball, with investments like the one in the San Francisco Giants.
- Sovereign wealth funds, such as Mubadala Capital, are increasingly investing in elite sports clubs,like the Los Angeles Lakers, marking a shift from individual ownership to institutional capital.
- CrossHarbor Partners and Singer Vehicle Design's acquisition of Willow Springs International Raceway represents strategic private equity-backed investment in a historic motorsport venue.
- Endeavor Group Holdings, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, has offloaded various businesses post a take-private deal by the private equity giant, Silver Lake, demonstrating the ongoing role of private equity in shaping the future of sports businesses.
