Growth Stage Funds Entering Sports At Record Rates

From Silicon Valley to Salt Lake City — a new class of capital is reshaping the business of sports.

Sports used to be a trophy asset — now it’s a growth asset focused on monetization, operating leverage, and exit potential.

In the last 12 months alone, we’ve seen new growth funds emerge and big private equity players launch sports verticals:

• Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz, launched Halo Experience, aiming to raise $1B+ for sports and adjacent investments.

• Norwest Venture Partners (backers of Uber, Calm, & Opendoor) is interested in doing more deals within sports.

• General Atlantic ($100B AUM) expressed interest in doing more sports investments.

• RedBird Capital raised $4.7B in fresh capital and partnered with Weatherford Capital to take on college sports.