Private equity in the NFL? How team ownership might shift

Sports
1

I saw this on ESPN the other day. Unlike a few other posts I have made, here I can not criticize the NFL worshipping the almighty dollar. Rather, this is reflective of the large increases in NFL franchise values and how that affects future ownership.

At the same time, I have a gut feeling that this could be bad news for fans of small market teams like the Buffalo Bills. I could see how private equity firms could lean on ownership to maximize shareholder value, which in many cases could mean relocating to larger markets.

2

I didn’t read the whole thing, so this may have been mentioned.

Can you imagine the uproar if the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia bought a team?

3

Is that like a sovereign wealth fund for SA or what?

4

Yep, it is the entity that own the LIV Golf tour and a Premier League Soccer team.

5

Interesting. I’m not opposed to such funds in general, but a bit different when controlled by an autocratic government.

6

Regardless of individual opinions on this board, can you imagine if any NFL team was bought by the Saudis?

7

Yeah, not good.

It may happen eventually though. Who can afford $6B for a franchise?

8

I wonder if any investment capital firm would be willing to subjugate their decision making on any matters, such as relocation, to the vote of the other owners.

9

Good point, but I think I read in the article that other sports allow it. So they must.

10

That’s something I learned today.

For years the Arab countries pissed their money away. They are now investing it in things like movies, sports and EV.