Investment Round Up - wc Jan 6th
The Sports Playmaker
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Every fortnight, The Sports Playmaker & Stellwagen Ventures provide a round up of the most interesting investment articles circulating in the sports & entertainment industry.
In this edition:
John Textor to Restructure Football Portfolio Amid Multiple Investment Bids
John Textor, the American entrepreneur behind Eagle Football Holdings, is navigating a transformative period for his multi-club football portfolio. With exclusivity agreements in place with two distinct groups, Textor’s moves look set to redefine the future of his football empire, which includes stakes in Crystal Palace, Olympique Lyonnais, Botafogo, and RWD Molenbeek.
Textor has granted exclusivity to a U.S.-Saudi consortium for the direct purchase of Eagle Football’s 45% stake in Crystal Palace. This group, fronted by figures such as Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, former Morgan Stanley sports executive Bejan Esmaili, and ex-Roc Nation attorney executive Wajid Mir, is backed by Mansoor and Haider Syed. The Syed brothers, born in Saudi Arabia and educated in the United States, lead a fund established specifically to acquire a football club.?
Coco Gauff Joins Star-Studded Roster of Investors in Women’s Basketball League
Rising tennis star Coco Gauff has become the latest high-profile athlete to invest in Unrivaled, the upcoming U.S.-based three-on-three women’s basketball league. Gauff joins a prestigious group of athlete investors that includes soccer legend Alex Morgan, retired swimming great Michael Phelps, and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Unrivaled, co-founded by Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is making headlines ahead of its inaugural season, set to tip off on January 17. The league has already secured more than $28 million in its Series A investment round, with financial backing from marquee names like Warner Bros.?
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McLaren Racing Acquires Full Ownership of Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team
McLaren Racing has confirmed its acquisition of full ownership of its IndyCar Series team, completing its takeover ahead of the 2024 season. The organization, which initially purchased a 75% stake in the team in 2021, has now secured the remaining shares from former IndyCar driver Sam Schmidt and Canadian businessman Ric Peterson.
Previously known as Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, the team was rebranded as Arrow McLaren following McLaren's initial investment.?
Fubo and Disney Merger Deal to Create New Sports Streaming Service
Fubo and Disney’s Hulu + Live TV service are merging to form a powerhouse in the sports streaming space, a move that will introduce a new “skinny bundle” offering centered on ESPN and other sports networks. The merger, announced Monday, will see Fubo maintaining both its brand and Hulu + Live TV while dropping its lawsuit against Disney and ESPN over competitive practices.
The new sports-focused bundle could combine national channels, regional sports networks, and digital services such as ESPN+, addressing a growing demand for customizable, affordable streaming options.??
Following the success of the inaugural Sports Social event, which took place at The Els Club in Dubai last November, The Sports Playmaker is looking to host similar industry gatherings across the Middle East and the UK, aimed at connecting sports professionals in a relaxed networking environment.
If you're interested in attending one of these events and would like to be kept updated on event plans for 2025, please click on the link below.
architecte
1 个月Great position on L1 ??french?? football ! I would be collaborat with him. Say the through here is the way ????