Power Shift! The New Era of Sports Ownership
The landscape of professional sports ownership is undergoing a dramatic transformation.
It used to be that owning a sports franchise was a family legacy or a vanity play for billionaires. Nope – not anymore. What was once a symbolic trophy is now a sophisticated investment vehicle; it’s part of a $470 billion industry, according to Sportico’s top 100 sports franchises valuation.
Shifting to Shared Ownership
Today, the dominant ownership model is shifting from singular control to diversified financial partnerships. By 2024, two-thirds of MLB and NBA teams will have private equity backing, per PitchBook.
So, Who’s Buying In?
Institutional Investors
These are large organizations – such as private equity firms, pension funds, endowments and sovereign wealth funds that invest capital on behalf of others. Their presence in pro sports has become a game-changer.
Take Arctos, for example:
They hold minority stakes in powerhouse franchises like the Dodgers and Cubs (MLB), 76ers and Warriors (NBA), Wild and Lightning (NHL), global soccer teams, and the Premier Lacrosse League (Pensions & Investments).
After years of resistance, the NFL - historically the most traditional - finally voted in August 2024 to allow private equity firms to own up to 10% of a team. The move is expected to bring in billions in new capital and accelerate franchise valuations (TIME).
The only outlier? The Green Bay Packers are proudly fan-owned and the only publicly held team across all major North American sports leagues (Entrepreneur).
Limited Partners
Limited Partners (LPs) are passive investors who provide capital to an ownership group without involvement in day-to-day decisions. Their role helps diversify risk, widen access and align interests.
While the NFL dominates headlines, leagues like MLS and the NBA stand out as strong examples of LP engagement. High-profile LPs such as Kevin Durant, Serena William, and Matthew McConaughey bring cultural capital alongside financial backing, creating deeper community ties and fresh energy.
A Broader Shift in Philosophy
This shift in ownership isn’t just financial. It reflects a changing ethos.
It’s about more than valuations and media rights. The movement toward more inclusive and multifaceted ownership mirrors something more profound: our model rooted in Selfless Service, Ownership, Unity, and Purpose.
Ownership is no longer about control over the team. It is now about collaboration with the community and fans.
Success is no longer isolated; it is collective.
And the impact goes far beyond game day and the scoreboard.
Professional sports are becoming platforms not just for business but for aligned purpose, shared values and generational opportunity.
And this is only the beginning …
