Owners Box: Club Member Newsletter - November 1st
Lionel Messi ventures into the world of VC, Magic Johnson explores ownership possibilities, and the Nashville Predators near the completion of a sale.
Owners Box is FanClub Sports’ newsletter and investment community. Every other week we breakdown the recent news in sports investment, M&A, and technology
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News & Highlights:
Report: Watford and Udinese minority stakes to be sold off by Pozzo family in US investor deal
David Blitzer, Real Salt Lake Hold $2 Million NWSL Expansion Option
Fanatics’ Michael Rubin completes sale of Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils stake
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Recent Sports M&A News and Developments
Report: Watford and Udinese minority stakes to be sold off by Pozzo family in US investor deal - November 1st, 2022
The Pozzo family are in advanced discussions to sell a substantial stake of undisclosed equity in Serie A team Udinese to a US investor, according to The Athletic.
The report says that the deal includes a minority share of about ten per cent in English second-tier Championship club Watford in the same transaction. It remains to be seen whether this share will increase over time, or whether the Pozzo family will seek to buy it back in the future.
Predators’ Sale Will Reportedly Value NHL Club at $775M - Front Office Sports - October 31st, 2022
The Nashville Predators will reportedly be worth roughly $775 million on the completion of the team’s sale to former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam by the end of 2025.
In June, Haslam agreed to purchase the NHL franchise from Predators Holdings, a consortium of 17 owners that purchased the team for $175 million in 2007.
David Blitzer, Real Salt Lake Hold $2 Million NWSL Expansion Option - Sportico - October 28th, 2022
The roughly $2 million expansion fee is expected to be exercised in the coming weeks. The league is also selling another expansion franchise, which will command a much higher price.
The owners of Real Salt Lake have a roughly $2 million option to revive Utah Royals FC as an NWSL expansion team, according to people familiar with the details, a price significantly lower than the tens of millions that the league is expected to fetch for its other expansion slot.
Magic Johnson Is Exploring Raiders Ownership - October 24th, 2022
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is looking to add to his growing portfolio of teams.
The NBA legend and entrepreneur is reportedly in talks to acquire a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders in a deal that could value the team at $6.5 billion — a record for an NFL franchise.
A potential sale comes after Raiders owner Mark Davis — who inherited the team from his father in 2011 — received an undisclosed offer in August for a stake in the team. Now, Johnson is putting together a group of investors to make their own bid.
Fanatics’ Michael Rubin completes sale of Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils stake - Sports Pro Media - October 21st, 2022
Fanatics chief executive Michael Rubin has sold his ten per cent stake in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), owner of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Philadelphia 76ers and the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New Jersey Devils.
Philadelphia native David Adelman confirmed he had joined the ownership group, with the likes of ESPN and The Athletic reporting he had purchased a substantial share of Rubin’s minority interest. Adelman is the chairman of 76 Devcorp, a real estate company leading the development of the 76ers’ proposed new arena, a project that is anticipated to cost approximately US$1.3 billion.
Lionel Messi sets up sports investment firm - Sports Pro Media - October 20th, 2022
Argentinian soccer icon Lionel Messi has launched a new investment firm focusing on global investments in the sports, technology and media spaces.
Based in California, the Play Time Sports-Tech vehicle will look to invest in ‘stage agnostic’ opportunities. These could include backing soccer-centric technology startups, as well as investment in teams. There is no public information on the size of the fund at this stage.
Report: Inter Milan sale search initiated by Suning - Sports Pro Media - October 19th, 2022
Inter Milan’s owner Suning Holdings Group has asked bankers to begin looking for a new owner for the Serie A club, according to the Financial Times (FT).
The FT report that the sale process for the Serie A club is being handled by Raine Group, the US banking firm that played a key role in this year’s UK£4.25 billion (US$5.2 billion) takeover deal of English soccer giants Chelsea. Fellow US bank Goldman Sachs is also reported to be working on the process.
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This newsletter is confidential and may not be distributed, transmitted or otherwise communicated to others, in whole or in part, without the express consent of FanClub Sports Capital Inc.
This newsletter does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, product or service, including interests in the fund.
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