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The Weeks Market Pulse
It’s been a defining week in sports business, from billion-dollar rights deals to new capital flowing into athlete-led funds and sports tech startups. Below are the stories shaping the next era of sports investing and innovation.
Constant Sports Community
Headlines That Move Markets
Apple TV Secures F1 U.S. Rights ($140M/yr) Apple has struck a five-year, $700M exclusive deal with Formula 1, replacing ESPN and marking its boldest sports media play yet. Apple’s sports expansion continues, expect further integrations across Apple TV+, News, Maps, and Fitness.
Big Ten Conference Inches Toward $2.4B Private Equity Deal The Big Ten has tentatively approved a massive private investment from UC Investments, valuing B10 Enterprises at roughly $24B. The deal could send $100M–$150M+ to each school over 20 years.
Sony Acquires STATSports: Acquiring the wearable and performance-tracking giant used by global clubs like Manchester United and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Google e x LA28 Partnership Google joins the LA28 Olympic movement as an innovation and tech partner, with AI, immersive viewing, and fan experience integrations expected.
EA SPORTS x The Athletic Collaboration EA Sports and The Athletic have inked a content and storytelling partnership, blending gaming data and journalism.
Member Spotlight - Constant Sports Community
Meet Pete From DealMaker
Pete runs Partnerships and Sports Assets @ DealMaker!
Helping founders and sports organizations across North America raise capital online - combining strategy, partnerships, and technology to simplify the process and expand their reach.
👇 Become a Member Today 👇
Constant Sports Community
Constant Sports Community
Deals, Mergers & Movements
ALK Capital acquires 99.6% of RCD Espanyol for $150M, extending its multi-club ownership footprint.
M+C Saatchi Group acquires Women’s Sports Group, signaling continued consolidation in women’s sports marketing.
Caleb Williams’ 888 Midas invests in Boston Legacy FC, marking the first major athlete-led private equity play in women’s soccer.
Ōura Ring raises $900M at an $11B valuation, further bridging health, AI, and athlete biometrics.
Catapult Sports acquires Impect for €78M to unify analytics and scouting data into one AI-driven performance platform.
Become a Member Today!
Constant Sports Community
Companies to Watch
Catapult – poised to become the “Bloomberg Terminal” of athlete performance.
ŌURA – emerging as a data layer across sports, health, and corporate wellness.
LOVB (League One Volleyball (LOVB)) – backed by Alexis Ohanian, bridging athlete ownership and community-driven leagues.
Constant Sports Podcast
Constant Sports Community
Global Expansion & Strategy
NBA China x Alibaba Cloud: deepens digital infrastructure and fan engagement in Asia.
Rugby Football League nears a private equity deal for the Super League.
Fz Sports launches Stadio Capital, a LATAM football finance fund ($500K–$50M range).Sign up to volunteer
Constant Sports Community
Recap + Constant Sports
That wraps up this week’s issue. Thanks for reading and being part of the Constant Sports community. A place built to educate, connect, and grow the next generation of sports leaders.
If you enjoyed today’s insights:
💬 Share this newsletter with someone in your network who’s building in sports.
🔗 Follow Constant Sports for more content on sports business, marketing, and valuation.
📨 Subscribe on Beehiiv to get next week’s edition straight to your inbox.
Together, we’re building the future of sports, one conversation at a time.
It’s been a defining week in sports business, from billion-dollar rights deals to new capital flowing into athlete-led funds and sports tech startups. Below are the stories shaping the next era of sports investing and innovation.
Constant Sports Community
Headlines That Move Markets
Apple TV Secures F1 U.S. Rights ($140M/yr) Apple has struck a five-year, $700M exclusive deal with Formula 1, replacing ESPN and marking its boldest sports media play yet. Apple’s sports expansion continues, expect further integrations across Apple TV+, News, Maps, and Fitness.
Big Ten Conference Inches Toward $2.4B Private Equity Deal The Big Ten has tentatively approved a massive private investment from UC Investments, valuing B10 Enterprises at roughly $24B. The deal could send $100M–$150M+ to each school over 20 years.
Sony Acquires STATSports: Acquiring the wearable and performance-tracking giant used by global clubs like Manchester United and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Google e x LA28 Partnership Google joins the LA28 Olympic movement as an innovation and tech partner, with AI, immersive viewing, and fan experience integrations expected.
EA SPORTS x The Athletic Collaboration EA Sports and The Athletic have inked a content and storytelling partnership, blending gaming data and journalism.
Member Spotlight - Constant Sports Community
Meet Pete From DealMaker
Pete runs Partnerships and Sports Assets @ DealMaker!
Helping founders and sports organizations across North America raise capital online - combining strategy, partnerships, and technology to simplify the process and expand their reach.
👇 Become a Member Today 👇
Constant Sports Community
Constant Sports Community
Deals, Mergers & Movements
ALK Capital acquires 99.6% of RCD Espanyol for $150M, extending its multi-club ownership footprint.
M+C Saatchi Group acquires Women’s Sports Group, signaling continued consolidation in women’s sports marketing.
Caleb Williams’ 888 Midas invests in Boston Legacy FC, marking the first major athlete-led private equity play in women’s soccer.
Ōura Ring raises $900M at an $11B valuation, further bridging health, AI, and athlete biometrics.
Catapult Sports acquires Impect for €78M to unify analytics and scouting data into one AI-driven performance platform.
Become a Member Today!
Constant Sports Community
Companies to Watch
Catapult – poised to become the “Bloomberg Terminal” of athlete performance.
ŌURA – emerging as a data layer across sports, health, and corporate wellness.
LOVB (League One Volleyball (LOVB)) – backed by Alexis Ohanian, bridging athlete ownership and community-driven leagues.
Constant Sports Podcast
Constant Sports Community
Global Expansion & Strategy
NBA China x Alibaba Cloud: deepens digital infrastructure and fan engagement in Asia.
Rugby Football League nears a private equity deal for the Super League.
Fz Sports launches Stadio Capital, a LATAM football finance fund ($500K–$50M range).Sign up to volunteer
Constant Sports Community
Recap + Constant Sports
That wraps up this week’s issue. Thanks for reading and being part of the Constant Sports community. A place built to educate, connect, and grow the next generation of sports leaders.
If you enjoyed today’s insights:
💬 Share this newsletter with someone in your network who’s building in sports.
🔗 Follow Constant Sports for more content on sports business, marketing, and valuation.
📨 Subscribe on Beehiiv to get next week’s edition straight to your inbox.
Together, we’re building the future of sports, one conversation at a time.
Sports Capital | Tech | Investment
For Sports Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports investing, sports tech, and sports business. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Constant Sports Community
Deal Flow & Money Moves
Xtreme One Entertainment $25M raise & strategic plan
Sony + STATSports integration
Ari Emanuel launches “Mari” after buying IMG tennis tournaments.
Sports Tech Nation 2025 announced for Munich
Member Spotlight
Meet Pete Stubbs
Partnerships and Sports Assets @ DealMaker
Pete will appear as the first guest of our newest season on the Constant Sports Podcast.
Check out Dealmaker
Dealmaker Website
Constant Sports Community
M&A and Investments
DAZN gets a massive capital boost:$587 million into DAZN.
NWSL’s upgraded media rights for 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur owner re-invests £100M.
Apollo’s $5B sports fund launch.
Constant Sports Community
Sports Tech Activity
$52B+ in sports-tech transactions in 2025
~503 deals in total (M&A + financing) globally.
~$32.2B of that was tied to M&A (~233 M&A deals) and ~$6.6B came from private financing
Top sectors: fan engagement & experience, AI & performance analytics, venue & ticketing systems, youth sports / team management platforms.
Constant Sports Community
Constant Sports Community
Startups to Watch
Playback
What they do: A “Twitch for sports”. Creators livestream games + commentary while fans interact.
Athlos
What they do: A women-only track & field venture, combining elite events with sponsorship, athlete ownership/advisors, and media distribution.
Plantiga
What they do: Smart insoles and embedded analytics to detect injury risk, asymmetries, and load metrics for athletes.
Kiswe
What they do: An interactive streaming + video platform focused on sports & concerts.
Constant Sports Community
New Podcast Season Coming Soon!
Join the Constant Sports Community. Be part of the conversation. Share your company’s story. Shape the future of sports business.
Be a Guest
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports investing, sports tech, and sports business. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Constant Sports Community
Deal Flow & Money Moves
Xtreme One Entertainment $25M raise & strategic plan
Sony + STATSports integration
Ari Emanuel launches “Mari” after buying IMG tennis tournaments.
Sports Tech Nation 2025 announced for Munich
Member Spotlight
Meet Pete Stubbs
Partnerships and Sports Assets @ DealMaker
Pete will appear as the first guest of our newest season on the Constant Sports Podcast.
Check out Dealmaker
Dealmaker Website
Constant Sports Community
M&A and Investments
DAZN gets a massive capital boost:$587 million into DAZN.
NWSL’s upgraded media rights for 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur owner re-invests £100M.
Apollo’s $5B sports fund launch.
Constant Sports Community
Sports Tech Activity
$52B+ in sports-tech transactions in 2025
~503 deals in total (M&A + financing) globally.
~$32.2B of that was tied to M&A (~233 M&A deals) and ~$6.6B came from private financing
Top sectors: fan engagement & experience, AI & performance analytics, venue & ticketing systems, youth sports / team management platforms.
Constant Sports Community
Constant Sports Community
Startups to Watch
Playback
What they do: A “Twitch for sports”. Creators livestream games + commentary while fans interact.
Athlos
What they do: A women-only track & field venture, combining elite events with sponsorship, athlete ownership/advisors, and media distribution.
Plantiga
What they do: Smart insoles and embedded analytics to detect injury risk, asymmetries, and load metrics for athletes.
Kiswe
What they do: An interactive streaming + video platform focused on sports & concerts.
Constant Sports Community
New Podcast Season Coming Soon!
Join the Constant Sports Community. Be part of the conversation. Share your company’s story. Shape the future of sports business.
Be a Guest
Grand Slam Track’s Lifeline!
For Sports Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports, sports tech, and media. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Headline Deal
Grand Slam Track’s Lifeline!
Grand Slam Track Guarantees Athlete Payments!
Grand Slam Track announced that all athletes will receive payments regardless of competition outcomes. A model designed to create sustainability for track & field professionals.
👉 Why it matters:
Track athletes often struggle with inconsistent pay despite competing on global stages.
This model introduces financial stability and could serve as a blueprint for other Olympic and non-revenue sports.
Business Spotlight
Meet Will Collins
Will is the Co - Founder of My Player Athlete: MyPlayer is a dynamic sports apparel and advertising company dedicated to revolutionizing how athletes build their personal brands.
“Your Name. Your Brand. Built For Every Athlete"
Visit My Player
Constant Sports
M&A and Investments
EA goes private ($55B): PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners acquired Electronic Arts for $210/share in an all-cash deal, marking the largest leveraged buyout in sports & gaming history.
Rival acquires Shake: Fan engagement platform Rival bought Shake, a gamified social prediction startup, alongside raising $3M in oversubscribed funding.
Scorability ($40M): College recruiting SaaS platform raised a growth round led by Bluestone Equity to expand sports coverage and AI evaluation tools.
AudioShake ($14M Series A): Audio tech startup serving NFL Films and Warner Bros. Discovery raises to scale live sports audio products.
Ankored ($4M Seed): Youth sports safety SaaS automating compliance with concussion, abuse prevention, and health data protocols.
Become a Member
Constant Sports
Sports-Tech Market Activity
Avenue Sports Fund: Marc Lasry’s sports vehicle closed with $1B in commitments; portfolio includes Orioles, Ipswich Town, SailGP, and Cosm.
Underdog Global Partners: New PE firm launched targeting sports, IP, and real estate assets with ~100 employees out the gate.
Apollo Sports Capital: Apollo rolls out a new global sports & live events fund after deploying $17B across stadiums, media rights, and league financings.
Harbinger Sports Partners: Mark Cuban-backed PE firm targeting $750M expands its leadership team with key hires from Nasdaq Private Market and MLB labor economics.
Community Podcast Coming Soon!
Join the Constant Sports Community
Be part of the conversation. Share your company’s story. Shape the future of sports business.
Be a Guest
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports, sports tech, and media. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Headline Deal
Grand Slam Track’s Lifeline!
Grand Slam Track Guarantees Athlete Payments!
Grand Slam Track announced that all athletes will receive payments regardless of competition outcomes. A model designed to create sustainability for track & field professionals.
👉 Why it matters:
Track athletes often struggle with inconsistent pay despite competing on global stages.
This model introduces financial stability and could serve as a blueprint for other Olympic and non-revenue sports.
Business Spotlight
Meet Will Collins
Will is the Co - Founder of My Player Athlete: MyPlayer is a dynamic sports apparel and advertising company dedicated to revolutionizing how athletes build their personal brands.
“Your Name. Your Brand. Built For Every Athlete"
Visit My Player
Constant Sports
M&A and Investments
EA goes private ($55B): PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners acquired Electronic Arts for $210/share in an all-cash deal, marking the largest leveraged buyout in sports & gaming history.
Rival acquires Shake: Fan engagement platform Rival bought Shake, a gamified social prediction startup, alongside raising $3M in oversubscribed funding.
Scorability ($40M): College recruiting SaaS platform raised a growth round led by Bluestone Equity to expand sports coverage and AI evaluation tools.
AudioShake ($14M Series A): Audio tech startup serving NFL Films and Warner Bros. Discovery raises to scale live sports audio products.
Ankored ($4M Seed): Youth sports safety SaaS automating compliance with concussion, abuse prevention, and health data protocols.
Become a Member
Constant Sports
Sports-Tech Market Activity
Avenue Sports Fund: Marc Lasry’s sports vehicle closed with $1B in commitments; portfolio includes Orioles, Ipswich Town, SailGP, and Cosm.
Underdog Global Partners: New PE firm launched targeting sports, IP, and real estate assets with ~100 employees out the gate.
Apollo Sports Capital: Apollo rolls out a new global sports & live events fund after deploying $17B across stadiums, media rights, and league financings.
Harbinger Sports Partners: Mark Cuban-backed PE firm targeting $750M expands its leadership team with key hires from Nasdaq Private Market and MLB labor economics.
Community Podcast Coming Soon!
Join the Constant Sports Community
Be part of the conversation. Share your company’s story. Shape the future of sports business.
Be a Guest
Allwyn Buys Majority Stake in PrizePicks
For Sports Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports, sports tech, and media. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Headline Deal
Allwyn Buys Majority Stake in PrizePicks
Allwyn International is acquiring 62.3% of PrizePicks for $1.6B, valuing the platform at $2.5B (with potential earn-outs to $4.15B).
Why it matters:
This isn’t just a fantasy sports acquisition. It’s a play to own the fan relationship.
PrizePicks controls daily engagement and first-party fan data across millions of U.S. users.
With this deal, fan-focused sports tech officially moves from “nice-to-have” to critical infrastructure.
Business Spotlight
Meet Will - From My Player
Will is the Co - Founder of My Player Athlete: MyPlayer is a dynamic sports apparel and advertising company dedicated to revolutionizing how athletes build their personal brands.
“Your Name. Your Brand. Built For Every Athlete"
Visit My Player
My Player Athlete
Constant Sports
Funding & Investment Highlights
Oura Ring raised $875M Series E at a $10.9B valuation → doubling its value since Dec 2024.
Epic Padel closed a $10M Seed round to launch clubs in VA, WI, SC, and UT.
LA Beat (Pro Padel League) acquired for $10M by David Eisen, marking the league’s largest single-owner investment.
Apex Capital closes with backing from Red Bull Ventures, boosting its athlete-led venture portfolio.
Join Today
Constant Sports
Weekend Takeaways
This week’s headlines highlight a clear theme: whoever owns the fan relationship owns the future of sports. Whether it’s fantasy, recovery tech, padel clubs, or women’s facilities,capital is flowing to platforms that drive engagement and habit.
Become a Member Today
Get involved - Constant Sports
Who It’s For
Founders & Entrepreneurs building sports companies and tech platforms
Sports Business Leaders & Operators across leagues, teams, agencies, and media
Executives & Professionals looking to expand their influence, connections, and impact
Want to volunteer, co-organize, or design race-day tees? We’re looking for help across logistics, hydration stations, and media.
That’s it for this week.
Join today and step into the Constant — the place where sports innovation never stops.
Exclusive Network
Connect with other sports entrepreneurs, operators, and executives leading growth across the industry.
Direct Access to Leaders
Join live calls with top decision-makers, capital providers, and executives — ask questions directly and gain insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Real Opportunities
Build partnerships, discover new ventures, and connect with peers who can accelerate your business.
Where the future of sports is being built. Constant Sports brings together founders, operators, and executives driving innovation across sports, sports tech, and media. This is a hub for those already shaping the industry and looking to connect, share, and scale.
Headline Deal
Allwyn Buys Majority Stake in PrizePicks
Allwyn International is acquiring 62.3% of PrizePicks for $1.6B, valuing the platform at $2.5B (with potential earn-outs to $4.15B).
Why it matters:
This isn’t just a fantasy sports acquisition. It’s a play to own the fan relationship.
PrizePicks controls daily engagement and first-party fan data across millions of U.S. users.
With this deal, fan-focused sports tech officially moves from “nice-to-have” to critical infrastructure.
Business Spotlight
Meet Will - From My Player
Will is the Co - Founder of My Player Athlete: MyPlayer is a dynamic sports apparel and advertising company dedicated to revolutionizing how athletes build their personal brands.
“Your Name. Your Brand. Built For Every Athlete"
Visit My Player
My Player Athlete
Constant Sports
Funding & Investment Highlights
Oura Ring raised $875M Series E at a $10.9B valuation → doubling its value since Dec 2024.
Epic Padel closed a $10M Seed round to launch clubs in VA, WI, SC, and UT.
LA Beat (Pro Padel League) acquired for $10M by David Eisen, marking the league’s largest single-owner investment.
Apex Capital closes with backing from Red Bull Ventures, boosting its athlete-led venture portfolio.
Join Today
Constant Sports
Weekend Takeaways
This week’s headlines highlight a clear theme: whoever owns the fan relationship owns the future of sports. Whether it’s fantasy, recovery tech, padel clubs, or women’s facilities,capital is flowing to platforms that drive engagement and habit.
Become a Member Today
Get involved - Constant Sports
Who It’s For
Founders & Entrepreneurs building sports companies and tech platforms
Sports Business Leaders & Operators across leagues, teams, agencies, and media
Executives & Professionals looking to expand their influence, connections, and impact
Want to volunteer, co-organize, or design race-day tees? We’re looking for help across logistics, hydration stations, and media.
That’s it for this week.
Join today and step into the Constant — the place where sports innovation never stops.
Exclusive Network
Connect with other sports entrepreneurs, operators, and executives leading growth across the industry.
Direct Access to Leaders
Join live calls with top decision-makers, capital providers, and executives — ask questions directly and gain insights you won’t find anywhere else.
Real Opportunities
Build partnerships, discover new ventures, and connect with peers who can accelerate your business.
Women’s sports keep attracting institutional capital
Quick Hits
Apollo is pushing hard into sports and may buy Atlético de Madrid. Apollo is in advanced talks to buy a majority stake in Atlético; the move sits alongside reports the firm is building a ~$5B sports vehicle to deploy across teams, leagues, and sports-related assets. This is the clearest sign yet that large PE players are building permanent capital strategies aimed squarely at sports.
MSP Sports Capital completed an exit from McLaren Racing. MSP sold its stake to the McLaren Group; the deal and follow-up reporting imply a valuation in the multi-billion-pound range and underscore that specialized sports PE can still create liquidity through strategic sales to operator groups.
Sports holding companies are experimenting with treasuries and crypto. Brera Holdings (multiclub owner) announced a pivot, renaming and moving part of its balance sheet toward crypto staking and a private placement backed by UAE buyers and notable allocators. It’s a risky, high-velocity signal: clubs and sports holding companies are treating treasury strategy as active financial engineering.
Women’s sports keep attracting institutional capital. Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league closed a later-stage round, valuing the business at ~$340M with strong strategic and celebrity financing behind it. This is signal-rich for investability in women’s live sports formats.
M&A in youth and grassroots tech continues quietly but strategically. Signature Athletics acquired iSport360 (youth sports software), illustrating the consolidation playbook in youth sports tech: buy vertical SaaS for distribution into apparel/ops businesses.
Deal activity
Fundraises & rounds
Playback — raised a meaningful growth round as it scales interactive livestreaming and co-viewing product-market fit with MLB/NBA partners (example of fan-engagement platforms securing strategic investors).
Unrivaled — Series B and valuation round highlighting continued investor appetite for women’s sports properties.
Exits / M&A
MSP Sports Capital → McLaren Group: MSP’s sale of its McLaren Racing equity interest closed in early September — a rare liquidity event and a useful comp for funds holding team assets.
Signature Athletics → iSport360: a tuck-in acquisition expanding platform capability for youth sports operator networks.
Investor & Fund Movements
Apollo’s $5B sports vehicle is the lead story for allocators and sponsors: permanent capital from mega-PE changes the return/holding-period calculus for team and league assets and raises competition for late-stage sports platforms.
Specialized sports PE (MSP et al.) is crystallizing value. MSP’s McLaren exit proves that sector specialists can generate returns and then sell to strategic operators — attractive for LPs wanting sports exposure with an exit path.
Venture funds focused on sports (Courtside, SeventySix, Elysian Park, etc.) remain active. Expect more Series A/B interest in fan engagement, performance/data SaaS, and creator-first media.
Sector spotlight — NIL, compliance, and the money flow
Two simultaneous forces are reshaping NIL-related capital flows: (1) donor fatigue vs. re-structured revenue models, and (2) heightened regulatory and tax scrutiny. The settlement and related policy shifts earlier this year have re-drawn the economics for collectives and institutional donors; legal and tax advisers now flag NIL collectives for IRS attention and enforcement in 2025. That dual pressure — less predictable donations and more regulatory overhead — is already nudging investors and operators to be more conservative with large, long-duration NIL investments.
What we’re watching: how schools and collectives reprice deals, whether family offices step in to underwrite multi-year NIL vehicles, and whether funds start underwriting compliance and escrow structures as part of the product. Expect deals that bake legal/escrow structures into their unit economics.
By the numbers (quick reference)
Sports tech disclosed deal value H1 2025: ~$52B (M&A + disclosed deals), with $6.6B in private financings across 239 agreements in H1. (signals: big-ticket M&A + concentrated private financings).
Sports tech equity capital YTD (Aug 2025): ~$5.7B (Capstone Partners analysis — volume down but capital deployed up, signaling larger-ticket growth/PE deals).
Notable valuation / exit comps this week: McLaren’s implied group valuation sits in the multi-billion-pound range after the MSP transaction; Unrivaled valued at ~$340M post-round.
Looking ahead (what to monitor next 30–90 days)
Apollo exclusivity / Atletico outcome (mid-Oct window). If that closes or widens, PE appetite and deal comps for European clubs will reset quickly.
Follow-on sales from MSP/others. Where strategic buyers (operator groups, sovereign wealth, conglomerates) allocate next capital tells us whether valuations sustain.
Constant Sports Media
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
My Player Podcast
Podcast · My Player · Built by Athletes, for Athletes. Welcome to the MyPlayer Podcast. Where tomorrow’s stars take the mic. We’re here to tell real stories, drop real game, and help athletes build their brand on and off the field. Whether you're a youth phenom, college standout, or just getting started, this is your moment.
open.spotify.com/show/6tp3tnfiOs7d93VRvqtXo6?si=4119abe6f4d74e99
Constant Sports Podcast
Podcast · Conner Schenk · Are you looking to connect with other professionals in the sports industry? You came to the right place! This podcast aims to talk with sports industry leaders across the country. It's all about who you know. Now you know us.
open.spotify.com/show/6kBbnxsICvEP4iDnXshHnK?si=073da292d29b40fe
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
Knights Table Media
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com/@knightstablemedia/featured
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
Apollo is pushing hard into sports and may buy Atlético de Madrid. Apollo is in advanced talks to buy a majority stake in Atlético; the move sits alongside reports the firm is building a ~$5B sports vehicle to deploy across teams, leagues, and sports-related assets. This is the clearest sign yet that large PE players are building permanent capital strategies aimed squarely at sports.
MSP Sports Capital completed an exit from McLaren Racing. MSP sold its stake to the McLaren Group; the deal and follow-up reporting imply a valuation in the multi-billion-pound range and underscore that specialized sports PE can still create liquidity through strategic sales to operator groups.
Sports holding companies are experimenting with treasuries and crypto. Brera Holdings (multiclub owner) announced a pivot, renaming and moving part of its balance sheet toward crypto staking and a private placement backed by UAE buyers and notable allocators. It’s a risky, high-velocity signal: clubs and sports holding companies are treating treasury strategy as active financial engineering.
Women’s sports keep attracting institutional capital. Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league closed a later-stage round, valuing the business at ~$340M with strong strategic and celebrity financing behind it. This is signal-rich for investability in women’s live sports formats.
M&A in youth and grassroots tech continues quietly but strategically. Signature Athletics acquired iSport360 (youth sports software), illustrating the consolidation playbook in youth sports tech: buy vertical SaaS for distribution into apparel/ops businesses.
Deal activity
Fundraises & rounds
Playback — raised a meaningful growth round as it scales interactive livestreaming and co-viewing product-market fit with MLB/NBA partners (example of fan-engagement platforms securing strategic investors).
Unrivaled — Series B and valuation round highlighting continued investor appetite for women’s sports properties.
Exits / M&A
MSP Sports Capital → McLaren Group: MSP’s sale of its McLaren Racing equity interest closed in early September — a rare liquidity event and a useful comp for funds holding team assets.
Signature Athletics → iSport360: a tuck-in acquisition expanding platform capability for youth sports operator networks.
Investor & Fund Movements
Apollo’s $5B sports vehicle is the lead story for allocators and sponsors: permanent capital from mega-PE changes the return/holding-period calculus for team and league assets and raises competition for late-stage sports platforms.
Specialized sports PE (MSP et al.) is crystallizing value. MSP’s McLaren exit proves that sector specialists can generate returns and then sell to strategic operators — attractive for LPs wanting sports exposure with an exit path.
Venture funds focused on sports (Courtside, SeventySix, Elysian Park, etc.) remain active. Expect more Series A/B interest in fan engagement, performance/data SaaS, and creator-first media.
Sector spotlight — NIL, compliance, and the money flow
Two simultaneous forces are reshaping NIL-related capital flows: (1) donor fatigue vs. re-structured revenue models, and (2) heightened regulatory and tax scrutiny. The settlement and related policy shifts earlier this year have re-drawn the economics for collectives and institutional donors; legal and tax advisers now flag NIL collectives for IRS attention and enforcement in 2025. That dual pressure — less predictable donations and more regulatory overhead — is already nudging investors and operators to be more conservative with large, long-duration NIL investments.
What we’re watching: how schools and collectives reprice deals, whether family offices step in to underwrite multi-year NIL vehicles, and whether funds start underwriting compliance and escrow structures as part of the product. Expect deals that bake legal/escrow structures into their unit economics.
By the numbers (quick reference)
Sports tech disclosed deal value H1 2025: ~$52B (M&A + disclosed deals), with $6.6B in private financings across 239 agreements in H1. (signals: big-ticket M&A + concentrated private financings).
Sports tech equity capital YTD (Aug 2025): ~$5.7B (Capstone Partners analysis — volume down but capital deployed up, signaling larger-ticket growth/PE deals).
Notable valuation / exit comps this week: McLaren’s implied group valuation sits in the multi-billion-pound range after the MSP transaction; Unrivaled valued at ~$340M post-round.
Looking ahead (what to monitor next 30–90 days)
Apollo exclusivity / Atletico outcome (mid-Oct window). If that closes or widens, PE appetite and deal comps for European clubs will reset quickly.
Follow-on sales from MSP/others. Where strategic buyers (operator groups, sovereign wealth, conglomerates) allocate next capital tells us whether valuations sustain.
Constant Sports Media
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
My Player Podcast
Podcast · My Player · Built by Athletes, for Athletes. Welcome to the MyPlayer Podcast. Where tomorrow’s stars take the mic. We’re here to tell real stories, drop real game, and help athletes build their brand on and off the field. Whether you're a youth phenom, college standout, or just getting started, this is your moment.
open.spotify.com/show/6tp3tnfiOs7d93VRvqtXo6?si=4119abe6f4d74e99
Constant Sports Podcast
Podcast · Conner Schenk · Are you looking to connect with other professionals in the sports industry? You came to the right place! This podcast aims to talk with sports industry leaders across the country. It's all about who you know. Now you know us.
open.spotify.com/show/6kBbnxsICvEP4iDnXshHnK?si=073da292d29b40fe
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
Knights Table Media
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com/@knightstablemedia/featured
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
Where the Money is Flowing
Career Growth & Job Sector Trends
The sports job market is shifting fast. What used to be dominated by league and team jobs is now expanding into:
Sports Tech & Data Analytics – Demand for roles in AI-driven performance, fan data, and predictive analytics is growing at double-digit rates.
NIL & Athlete Marketing – Agencies and collectives are scaling, and many are still hiring brand managers, athlete liaisons, and content leads.
Sponsorship & Valuation Experts – As sponsorship deals get scrutinized for ROI, professionals who can price, value, and measure partnerships are gaining leverage.
Takeaway: The next five years won’t be about who can get a league job; it’ll be about who can lead in tech, athlete marketing, and monetization strategy.
Where the Money is Flowing
Capital allocation in sports continues to accelerate:
Private Equity in Franchises – Arctos, RedBird, and others are now owners, not partners. This alters governance and exit strategies for leagues.
Women’s Sports – Sponsorship spend is up 30% YoY. Expect valuations of women’s teams and leagues to continue climbing.
Betting & Fan Engagement – Gaming companies are moving beyond sportsbooks into media, content, and live fan experiences.
Facilities & Mixed-Use Development – Teams and investors are betting big on sports as real estate anchors, from entertainment districts to training hubs.
Constant Edge: Follow the money and you’ll find where influence is shifting.
Sports Investment Space
Investors are looking at:
Sports Tech Platforms – Wearables, performance software, and fan monetization tools.
Alternative Sports – Pickleball, freestyle trampoline, and emerging leagues are hotbeds of untapped growth.
Media Collectives – Athletes and creators building their own platforms are now being funded as “micro-networks.”
Community Movers & Builders
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
JJ McComas on Growing Up in Stillwater & Wrestling for Oklahoma State| Life of a college wrestler!
My Player Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/53awylMXE0TMECWVHPr07p?si=CQlX9dTlT9yWTxu6MAeshQ
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
The Return of Football: Biggest Storylines | Season Predictions | College Football as a Business
Constant Sports Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/2woYpyKDA9s3puf1lSrXLu?si=q4jCn2GuR0-l1C_E1j6_1A
Knights Table Media
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
The sports job market is shifting fast. What used to be dominated by league and team jobs is now expanding into:
Sports Tech & Data Analytics – Demand for roles in AI-driven performance, fan data, and predictive analytics is growing at double-digit rates.
NIL & Athlete Marketing – Agencies and collectives are scaling, and many are still hiring brand managers, athlete liaisons, and content leads.
Sponsorship & Valuation Experts – As sponsorship deals get scrutinized for ROI, professionals who can price, value, and measure partnerships are gaining leverage.
Takeaway: The next five years won’t be about who can get a league job; it’ll be about who can lead in tech, athlete marketing, and monetization strategy.
Where the Money is Flowing
Capital allocation in sports continues to accelerate:
Private Equity in Franchises – Arctos, RedBird, and others are now owners, not partners. This alters governance and exit strategies for leagues.
Women’s Sports – Sponsorship spend is up 30% YoY. Expect valuations of women’s teams and leagues to continue climbing.
Betting & Fan Engagement – Gaming companies are moving beyond sportsbooks into media, content, and live fan experiences.
Facilities & Mixed-Use Development – Teams and investors are betting big on sports as real estate anchors, from entertainment districts to training hubs.
Constant Edge: Follow the money and you’ll find where influence is shifting.
Sports Investment Space
Investors are looking at:
Sports Tech Platforms – Wearables, performance software, and fan monetization tools.
Alternative Sports – Pickleball, freestyle trampoline, and emerging leagues are hotbeds of untapped growth.
Media Collectives – Athletes and creators building their own platforms are now being funded as “micro-networks.”
Community Movers & Builders
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
JJ McComas on Growing Up in Stillwater & Wrestling for Oklahoma State| Life of a college wrestler!
My Player Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/53awylMXE0TMECWVHPr07p?si=CQlX9dTlT9yWTxu6MAeshQ
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
The Return of Football: Biggest Storylines | Season Predictions | College Football as a Business
Constant Sports Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/2woYpyKDA9s3puf1lSrXLu?si=q4jCn2GuR0-l1C_E1j6_1A
Knights Table Media
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
NFL RedZone: Ads Are In But This Isn’t Your Average Break
3 Trends to Watch in the Sports Sector
1️⃣ Social-first sponsorship value is outpacing old signage math
F1 generated ~$665M sponsor media value in H1 2025; LEGO’s Miami activation did ~$14M in a single day, per Relo Metrics. Social drove the majority of the impact.
2️⃣ Sidelines are getting augmented
The NFL expanded its Microsoft partnership to integrate AI into sideline tech—accelerating real-time insights and broadcast storytelling. (Implications align with broader league adoption of AI decision tools.
3️⃣ Volleyball consolidation is a case study in creating investable scale
U.S. pro volleyball is merging into MLV (PVF + MLV), moving to a single property with market teams and expansion; reporting pegs new capital and a larger national footprint.
Thought of the Week
NFL RedZone: Ads Are In But This Isn’t Your Average Break
For the first time since its 2009 launch, NFL RedZone the “seven hours of commercial-free football” channel is adding ads. Yes, you read that right.
The New Format:
In Week 1, RedZone will feature four 15-second commercials over its full seven-hour runtime, a modest 1 minute of ads total.
These won’t interrupt the action. Instead, ads will play in a “double-box” split-screen, letting you watch football alongside the commercial.
Host Scott Hanson confirmed the change he’ll drop the “commercial-free” tagline and now open with “seven hours of RedZone football starts now,” emphasizing that highlight moments won’t be sacrificed.
Pro-Level Insight:
This isn't just about trimming costs, it’s a strategic shift:
A lean ad model preserves viewer engagement while creating premium revenue slots.
As RedZone gets integrated into ESPN’s upcoming DTC platform (pending regulatory approval), this double-box format offers scalable ad inventory that fits digital-first viewing habits.
Key Takeaways for Operators:
Digital rights packaging is shifting
Premium streaming properties
Talent stays stable
Polls of the Week: What the Data Means
Poll 1: Is private equity ownership good for sports franchises?
✅ Yes: 52%
✅ No: 29%
✅ Undecided: 19%
📊 Takeaway: The sports business community is split. The majority see PE as a necessary evolution for valuations that have outpaced individual ownership. But nearly 1 in 3 still fear that over-financialization could hurt community roots. Expect this debate to grow as more leagues approve PE buy-ins.
Poll 2: Which league revenue stream has the most untapped potential?
✅ Media & streaming rights: 20%
✅ Sponsorship & naming rights: 20%
✅ Merchandising & licensing: 20%
✅ Live events & fan experiences: 40%
📊 Takeaway: Fans and insiders agree, live experiences are the next growth engine. As digital rights saturate, leagues must double down on in-person value. Expect investments in premium hospitality, gameday activations, and immersive fan zones.
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
High School Baseball Phenom Warren Gravely IV | Talks Notre Dame, NIL, Building a Brand | Training
My Player Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/3TL83HkpqYbgxgkOPgDtWF?si=H3rgAO2SR0yRSpFN1E3dIA
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
The Return of Football: Biggest Storylines | Season Predictions | College Football as a Business
Constant Sports Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/2woYpyKDA9s3puf1lSrXLu?si=ca0e19c6f5cf4ea7
Knights Table Media
Knights Table Media
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com/@knightstablemedia
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
1️⃣ Social-first sponsorship value is outpacing old signage math
F1 generated ~$665M sponsor media value in H1 2025; LEGO’s Miami activation did ~$14M in a single day, per Relo Metrics. Social drove the majority of the impact.
2️⃣ Sidelines are getting augmented
The NFL expanded its Microsoft partnership to integrate AI into sideline tech—accelerating real-time insights and broadcast storytelling. (Implications align with broader league adoption of AI decision tools.
3️⃣ Volleyball consolidation is a case study in creating investable scale
U.S. pro volleyball is merging into MLV (PVF + MLV), moving to a single property with market teams and expansion; reporting pegs new capital and a larger national footprint.
Thought of the Week
NFL RedZone: Ads Are In But This Isn’t Your Average Break
For the first time since its 2009 launch, NFL RedZone the “seven hours of commercial-free football” channel is adding ads. Yes, you read that right.
The New Format:
In Week 1, RedZone will feature four 15-second commercials over its full seven-hour runtime, a modest 1 minute of ads total.
These won’t interrupt the action. Instead, ads will play in a “double-box” split-screen, letting you watch football alongside the commercial.
Host Scott Hanson confirmed the change he’ll drop the “commercial-free” tagline and now open with “seven hours of RedZone football starts now,” emphasizing that highlight moments won’t be sacrificed.
Pro-Level Insight:
This isn't just about trimming costs, it’s a strategic shift:
A lean ad model preserves viewer engagement while creating premium revenue slots.
As RedZone gets integrated into ESPN’s upcoming DTC platform (pending regulatory approval), this double-box format offers scalable ad inventory that fits digital-first viewing habits.
Key Takeaways for Operators:
Digital rights packaging is shifting
Premium streaming properties
Talent stays stable
Polls of the Week: What the Data Means
Poll 1: Is private equity ownership good for sports franchises?
✅ Yes: 52%
✅ No: 29%
✅ Undecided: 19%
📊 Takeaway: The sports business community is split. The majority see PE as a necessary evolution for valuations that have outpaced individual ownership. But nearly 1 in 3 still fear that over-financialization could hurt community roots. Expect this debate to grow as more leagues approve PE buy-ins.
Poll 2: Which league revenue stream has the most untapped potential?
✅ Media & streaming rights: 20%
✅ Sponsorship & naming rights: 20%
✅ Merchandising & licensing: 20%
✅ Live events & fan experiences: 40%
📊 Takeaway: Fans and insiders agree, live experiences are the next growth engine. As digital rights saturate, leagues must double down on in-person value. Expect investments in premium hospitality, gameday activations, and immersive fan zones.
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
High School Baseball Phenom Warren Gravely IV | Talks Notre Dame, NIL, Building a Brand | Training
My Player Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/3TL83HkpqYbgxgkOPgDtWF?si=H3rgAO2SR0yRSpFN1E3dIA
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
The Return of Football: Biggest Storylines | Season Predictions | College Football as a Business
Constant Sports Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com/episode/2woYpyKDA9s3puf1lSrXLu?si=ca0e19c6f5cf4ea7
Knights Table Media
Knights Table Media
Share your videos with friends, family, and the world
www.youtube.com/@knightstablemedia
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
Industry Moves You Should Know
Industry Moves You Should Know
⚡College Sports NIL Growth: Reports show $1.2B projected NIL spend by 2026. A critical context point for readers following U.S. college sports.
⚡ Steph Curry x GoogleCurry signs on as a “performance advisor”. Helping Google integrate athlete insights into product development. Athlete-brand relationships are shifting from endorsement to actual innovation roles.
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
📊 Poll Highlight 📊
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎?
The Sports Job Market of 2030
✅ Tech, Data & AI – 52%
✅ Sports Betting & Gaming – 30%
✅ Business Development – 15%
✅ Marketing – 3%
💡 Takeaway: Young professionals should get comfortable with the intersection of sports and tech. Betting will continue to be a big driver too, especially as states expand legalization.
The Skills That Pay the Bills
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬?
✅ Sales & Revenue Generation – 75%
✅ Media & Content Creation – 10%
✅ Operations & Event Management – 10%
✅ Data & Analytics – 5%
💡 Takeaway: Pairing sales skills with data or tech fluency will be the killer combo. The industry wants people who can close deals and prove ROI.
Thought of the Week
In the sports business, attention creates opportunity, but revenue keeps the lights on. The best career and business strategies blend the two.
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
Knights Table Media
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
⚡College Sports NIL Growth: Reports show $1.2B projected NIL spend by 2026. A critical context point for readers following U.S. college sports.
⚡ Steph Curry x GoogleCurry signs on as a “performance advisor”. Helping Google integrate athlete insights into product development. Athlete-brand relationships are shifting from endorsement to actual innovation roles.
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
📊 Poll Highlight 📊
𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎?
The Sports Job Market of 2030
✅ Tech, Data & AI – 52%
✅ Sports Betting & Gaming – 30%
✅ Business Development – 15%
✅ Marketing – 3%
💡 Takeaway: Young professionals should get comfortable with the intersection of sports and tech. Betting will continue to be a big driver too, especially as states expand legalization.
The Skills That Pay the Bills
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬?
✅ Sales & Revenue Generation – 75%
✅ Media & Content Creation – 10%
✅ Operations & Event Management – 10%
✅ Data & Analytics – 5%
💡 Takeaway: Pairing sales skills with data or tech fluency will be the killer combo. The industry wants people who can close deals and prove ROI.
Thought of the Week
In the sports business, attention creates opportunity, but revenue keeps the lights on. The best career and business strategies blend the two.
Constant Sports Media
My Player Podcast
Real conversations with athletes building brands off the field. We go beyond the highlights to explore NIL, entrepreneurship, media, and life after the game. Built for the modern athlete and those building around them.
Constant Sports Podcast
A front-row seat to the business of sports. Each episode features top execs, founders, and operators across marketing, sponsorship, investment, tech, and media.
Knights Table Media
The home of all things sports at Southern Virginia University. We tell the stories of athletes, teams, and coaches across all sports, capturing the energy of a campus and turning it into high-impact digital content.
📣 Let’s connect
Building or investing in a sports property or navigating NIL strategy? 👉 Book a call with Constant Sports
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