Private equity in sport: A growing opportunity

Expected to grow to $500bn

Investments in sports are no longer regarded as vanity projects for owners with deep pockets.

As sporting franchises grow into global businesses, private equity investors are increasingly targeting the sector, with sports teams and franchises providing new opportunities to unlock sources of revenue - often using digital media - through broadcasting and marketing rights. Private equity firms spent $51bn on sports investment globally in 2021, with $22bn spent in Europe alone, according to PitchBook. Activity goes beyond the best-known names in European football or US basketball and includes tennis, motor racing, and equestrian events, among others. Interest from private equity inve...