Finance & Investment - SportsPro

Why Athvance Capital is looking beyond sport’s trophy assets

SportsPro — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:44:31 +0000

Danny Menken, co-founder of Athvance Capital, explains why sport’s next value opportunity sits beyond elite rights holders, how evergreen capital aligns with founders, and why US institutions are backing Europe’s operator-led growth story.

The post Why Athvance Capital is looking beyond sport’s trophy assets appeared first on SportsPro.

Seattle Seahawks sold for NFL record ‘US$9.61bn’ as US franchise valuations soar

Josh Sim — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:36:02 +0000

Vinod Khosla agrees deal for Super Bowl LX champions as soaring media rights deals reset valuations across the NFL and beyond.

The post Seattle Seahawks sold for NFL record ‘US$9.61bn’ as US franchise valuations soar appeared first on SportsPro.

Versant buys Full Swing for US$530m to build out digital golf business

Steve McCaskill — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:09:11 +0000

Versant seeks to diversify away from linear television as Bruin secures another lucrative exit from its investment.

The post Versant buys Full Swing for US$530m to build out digital golf business appeared first on SportsPro.

Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover

Josh Sim — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:03:09 +0000

Pair promise to deliver more FTA sport than ever through combined offering.

The post Sky confirms UK£1.6bn ITV takeover appeared first on SportsPro.

“It’s not that it doesn’t work”: Crux Football’s Bex Smith on why women’s soccer needs a new ownership model

Sam Carp — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Women’s soccer in Europe has some of the world’s best players and most recognisable clubs. But, for Bex Smith, the numbers haven’t been adding up.

The post “It’s not that it doesn’t work”: Crux Football’s Bex Smith on why women’s soccer needs a new ownership model appeared first on SportsPro.

The business of the Tour de France: The curious commercialism of a national obsession and global spectacle

Josh Sim — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 16:46:34 +0000

The Tour de France has transformed from an icon of French culture into a global media property and is backed by one of the most unique business models in sport.

The post The business of the Tour de France: The curious commercialism of a national obsession and global spectacle appeared first on SportsPro.

The business of 26.2 miles: Inside marathon running’s commercial boom

Nick Winn — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:16:04 +0000

Marathon running has become one of sport's most valuable assets. Hans-Peter Zurbruegg, senior vice president of Active Lifestyle at Infront discusses how cities, sponsors and organisers are trying to sustain the boom.

The post The business of 26.2 miles: Inside marathon running’s commercial boom appeared first on SportsPro.

What does Comcast split mean for NBC, Sky and sports broadcasting in the UK and US?

Steve McCaskill — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 15:38:03 +0000

Comcast is dividing its communications and media businesses into two separate companies. SportsPro explains what this means for the future of sports broadcasting either side of the Atlantic and the industry as a whole.

The post What does Comcast split mean for NBC, Sky and sports broadcasting in the UK and US? appeared first on SportsPro.

The business of Wimbledon: Careful modernisation of tennis tradition protects a unique commercial model

Josh Sim — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

Wimbledon's brand preservation over revenue maximisation has made it tennis's most prestigious event. Now it is seeking to modernise its facilities and broadcast coverage to maintain this position.

The post The business of Wimbledon: Careful modernisation of tennis tradition protects a unique commercial model appeared first on SportsPro.

‘It’s bigger than the world marathons combined’: How Hyrox is turning fitness into the world’s next mass participation sport

Josh Sim — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 16:32:12 +0000

With millions of athletes competing in events all over the world, the fitness organisation explains its commercial growth journey and the path towards becoming an Olympic sport by 2032.

The post ‘It’s bigger than the world marathons combined’: How Hyrox is turning fitness into the world’s next mass participation sport appeared first on SportsPro.

‘We relied on benevolent individuals’: Inside Prem Rugby’s plan to turn financial crisis into investment opportunity

Steve McCaskill — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:39:40 +0000

With radical changes set to take effect from next season, senior figures within Prem Rugby believe the game is now better positioned to grow.

The post ‘We relied on benevolent individuals’: Inside Prem Rugby’s plan to turn financial crisis into investment opportunity appeared first on SportsPro.

Fox eyes streaming reach, advertising and aggregation with US$22bn Roku swoop

Josh Sim — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:48:52 +0000

Deal expands streaming distribution for broadcaster’s sports properties such as the NFL, MLB and Nascar.

The post Fox eyes streaming reach, advertising and aggregation with US$22bn Roku swoop appeared first on SportsPro.

The participation premium: Why investors are backing specialist brands for sportswear’s next growth story

Akhilesh Agarwal and Peter Bullivant — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 23:40:14 +0000

As momentum around the sporting goods segment softens, public markets are still betting on the likes of Asics, On and Amer Sports to turn growing participation into repeat demand.

The post The participation premium: Why investors are backing specialist brands for sportswear’s next growth story appeared first on SportsPro.

Breaking down the business of the US$13bn 2026 Fifa World Cup

Josh Sim — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 14:30:00 +0000

World soccer’s showpiece tournament arrives in North America with equally high levels of anticipation and concern. SportsPro maps out the business behind Fifa’s biggest ever World Cup.

The post Breaking down the business of the US$13bn 2026 Fifa World Cup appeared first on SportsPro.

Eight things the sports industry keeps telling itself – and why most of them aren’t true

Nick Meacham — Fri, 22 May 2026 15:43:25 +0000

SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham explains why the gap between the LinkedIn view of the industry and the reality has never been wider.

The post Eight things the sports industry keeps telling itself – and why most of them aren’t true appeared first on SportsPro.

TKO execs Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro invest in Las Vegas Raiders at ‘US$9.9bn’ valuation

Josh Sim — Wed, 20 May 2026 11:32:55 +0000

Duo are among four investors to buy personal stakes in the NFL franchise.

The post TKO execs Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro invest in Las Vegas Raiders at ‘US$9.9bn’ valuation appeared first on SportsPro.

Saudi PIF ‘seeks’ external investment to fund Newcastle stadium plans

Josh Sim — Tue, 19 May 2026 11:23:31 +0000

Talks are 'ongoing' regarding the sale of a minority stake in the club.

The post Saudi PIF ‘seeks’ external investment to fund Newcastle stadium plans appeared first on SportsPro.

Why the ICC believes cricket’s two billion fans are still under-commercialised

Josh Sim — Tue, 12 May 2026 10:22:30 +0000

ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta outlines the global governing body's plans to reduce cricket's reliance on media rights and diversify revenue streams through data, digital and the event experience.

The post Why the ICC believes cricket’s two billion fans are still under-commercialised appeared first on SportsPro.

F1 revenue soars 53% to US$617m in Q1 2026

Cian Brittle — Mon, 11 May 2026 15:23:54 +0000

Impact of cancelled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not be felt until next quarter.

The post F1 revenue soars 53% to US$617m in Q1 2026 appeared first on SportsPro.

Matchroom valued at ‘UK£1bn’ after Bruin Capital investment

Josh Sim — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:54:36 +0000

Private equity firm to provide expertise and resources as promoter seeks to expand US presence.

The post Matchroom valued at ‘UK£1bn’ after Bruin Capital investment appeared first on SportsPro.