Tag: Business of Sports

Arctos Agrees to Buy 10% Stake in Atlanta Falcons at $10.6 Billion Valuation

Brandon King

The Atlanta Falcons are poised to welcome a new minority investor. According to CNBC, Dallas-based private equity firm Arctos has agreed to acquire a 10% ownership stake in the Falcons in a transaction that values the franchise at an enterprise value of $10.6 billion. The deal remains subject to approval by NFL owners, who are expected to vote on it during league meetings in October. If approved, the Falcons would become the fourth NFL franchise in Arctos’ growing investment portfolio. The firm already owns minority stakes in the Los Angeles…

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Buss Family Sells Remaining Lakers Stake, Ending Historic Era of Ownership

Brandon King

The Buss family’s nearly five-decade run as owners of the Los Angeles Lakers is officially coming to an end. According to ESPN, the Buss family has agreed to sell its remaining 17.8% ownership stake in the franchise to new majority owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger. The transaction follows a vote by the Buss Family Trust, with siblings Jeanie, Jim, Johnny, Janie, Joey, and Jesse Buss approving the sale after receiving the four votes required to trigger the tag-along provision tied to Mark Walter’s previous sale. The deal values the…

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Lakers Sold Again: Josh Kushner and Bob Iger Reach Record-Breaking $12.5 Billion Deal for NBA’s Crown Jewel

Brandon King

The Los Angeles Lakers are once again under new ownership. According to multiple reports, a group led by venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in the Lakers for a reported $12.5 billion, setting a new record for the highest valuation ever paid for a professional sports franchise. The blockbuster transaction comes less than a year after Mark Walter acquired the franchise at a reported $10 billion valuation. The rapid increase in value underscores the continued explosion in NBA franchise…

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Notre Dame Lands Historic SoFi Jersey Patch Deal Worth Up to $20 Million Annually

Brandon King

image via On3 Notre Dame Athletics has reportedly reached a landmark sponsorship agreement with financial technology company SoFi that is expected to become the richest jersey patch deal in college athletics history. According to Pete Nakos of On3, the six-year agreement is valued at $18–20 million annually, giving Notre Dame a lucrative new revenue stream as college athletics continues to evolve in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. The sponsorship comes after the NCAA approved the use of corporate jersey patches, allowing athletic departments to capitalize on one of the most…

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Jaylen Brown Speaks Out on Athlete Empowerment: “If I Can’t Use My Voice, Then What Am I Doing Here?”

Brandon King

Jaylen Brown has never been shy about using his platform, and a resurfaced interview is once again drawing attention following his blockbuster trade to the Philadelphia 76ers. Speaking candidly about the pressures athletes face, Brown argued that many professional athletes and entertainers are conditioned to stay silent rather than use their influence to advocate for issues beyond sports. “If I can’t use my voice, then what am I doing here?” Brown went on to describe what he believes is a system built around profiting from athletes while discouraging them from…

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Jaylen Brown Says Kobe Bryant Inspired Him to Launch 741 After Walking Away From Nearly $50 Million in Endorsement Deals

Brandon King

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown says his decision to launch his own brand, 741, came after walking away from nearly $50 million in endorsement deals, a move inspired in large part by the late Kobe Bryant. Speaking about the decision, Brown explained that turning down lucrative offers wasn’t about rejecting money—it was about pursuing ownership and building something with long-term value. “I passed on almost $50 million worth of deals in order to start something on my own. Not because I didn’t like money, those type of deals didn’t work…

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Jaylen Brown Says NBA Players Should Earn Equity in Teams They Help Build

Brandon King

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown is once again challenging the traditional business model of professional sports, arguing that NBA players should have the opportunity to own equity in the franchises they help make more valuable. Speaking about wealth creation and long-term financial opportunities for athletes, Brown questioned why players are excluded from ownership despite being the driving force behind the league’s growth. “Players should be able to invest alongside ownership groups and business opportunities. I don’t understand why that’s ever been a thing,” Brown said. “It’s like you’re an athlete…

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Kansas Lands Landmark Ripple Jersey Patch Deal Featuring XRP Across All Athletics

Brandon King

The University of Kansas is set to announce a groundbreaking five-year partnership with digital finance company Ripple that will place XRP cryptocurrency jersey patches on uniforms across all Jayhawks athletic programs, according to Sports Business Journal. The agreement is reportedly one of the most lucrative jersey patch deals in college sports history, underscoring the growing commercialization of college athletics in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but sources indicate the deal ranks among the richest patch sponsorships to date. Ripple and its XRP cryptocurrency will…

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