The Sports Playmaker: Investment Roundup (November 11th)
The Sports Playmaker
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Liverpool Put up for Sale by Fenway Sports Group
Fenway Sports Group are preparing to search for buyers for Liverpool. A presentation has been prepared, with the American group retaining Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to assist with the potential sale. “There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumours of changes in ownership at EPL clubs and inevitably we are asked regularly about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool," a statement from FSG Read.
“FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club.
Chairman Tom Werner stated back in May that FSG still had long-term plans for the club but the group now appear to be prepared to walk away from Liverpool.
San Francisco 49ers Investors set for Leeds United Takeover
The American investment group, who have links to the San Francisco 49ers, have secured the necessary funds to complete a takeover, say US banking sources. The report adds that the group could move to buy out Radrizzani at the end of the current season.
This is due to the final sale price being related to how Leeds perform this term, and crucially, if they retain their place in top flight. Should Jesse Marsch’s side get relegated for example, the value of the club would drop significantly with the reality of Championship football ahead of them.
The 49ers have had an increased influence at the club over the last 18 months with supporter Peter Lowy, a significant investor in 49ers Enterprises, joining the Leeds board. Paraag Marathe, the president of 49ers Enterprises and vice-president of the 49-ers, is also listed as Leeds vice-chairman.
Major League Pickleball’s Newest Team Owner is Anheuser-Busch
Major League Pickleball has named its newest team owner, and it’s a major beer brand. The rapidly growing sports league announced that Anheuser-Busch will purchase a Major League Pickleball team. The team will begin playing in the 2023 season.
In recent months, MLP has announced dozens of high-profile investors, including NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant and Tom Brady and Drew Brees of NFL fame. Anheuser-Busch is the first Fortune 500 company to purchase an MLP team. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a league representative stated the going rate for a team is in the seven figures.
Next year will be its biggest year to date, MLP said. The league is growing from 12 to 16 teams, with events doubling to six. Player prize money and payouts will exceed $2 million, it said.
NBA Eyes Startup Investments with Private Equity Division
As the NBA continues to gather equity stakes in startups around the globe, the league is formalizing its investment arm. It took a step forward, launching NBA Equity, a private division to help formalize a more proactive approach in identifying appropriate investments.
In December, the NBA Board of Governors officially approved NBA Equity to bundle the league’s existing investments and enhance its activity in the space. The league hired David Lee, who spent 10-plus years in startups after time at LG Electronics and Bain, to lead the division.
The NBA hopes to target specific startups that will “drive innovation” both inside and outside the game. So, in this sense, the NBA will position itself as a strategic investor versus a strictly financial investor. The goal is to get involved with startup companies that can be part of the NBA’s business core.
Investment Opportunity
Team Flash is one of the top esports organizations in South East Asia with teams in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.
The organisation’s teams have enjoyed sporting success, winning over USD1 million in prize money over the last three years. Team Flash has a highly engaged fanbase too with over 3.2 million fans across the four countries - in the first half of 2022, 28 million hours of Team Flash competition was watched.
Team Flash is looking to raise USD2.8 million in a pre-Series A round to continue its success and build on the traction it has to date. It already has a commitment of USD1 million secured.
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