Ultra-Wealthy Families Increasing Investments in Sports and Related Assets

Ultra-Wealthy Families Deepen Investments in Sports and Related Ventures

A recent Goldman Sachs survey highlights a significant trend among ultra-wealthy family offices: an increasing allocation of capital toward sports and associated assets such as ticketing platforms and stadium operations. According to the survey, 25% of family offices have already invested in these areas, with an additional 25% expressing interest in future opportunities.

Major League Stakes and High-Profile Acquisitions

Recent transactions underscore this trend. Julia Koch, widow of billionaire David Koch, has acquired a minority interest in the NFL’s New York Giants, as reported by Bloomberg. In a landmark deal, Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter secured a majority stake in the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, valuing the franchise at approximately $10 billion. Additionally, a consortium of Bay Area families, including venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, purchased a 6% stake in the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year.

Preference for Established Men’s Leagues Over Emerging or Women’s Sports

Despite growing media attention on women’s leagues and emerging sports such as pickleball, investor enthusiasm remains concentrated on major men’s leagues. The Goldman Sachs survey of 245 family offices revealed that 71% are interested in investing in prominent men’s leagues, whereas only 19% have engaged or shown interest in established women’s leagues. Emerging women’s leagues and men’s minor leagues attracted investment or interest from just 16% of respondents.

Notably, a group of billionaire investors acquired three new WNBA franchises in June, signaling some confidence in women’s sports. However, these investments are generally viewed as long-term equity plays rather than immediate cash-flow generators.

Long-Term Value and Inflation Hedging

Meena Flynn, Goldman Sachs’ co-head of global private wealth management, told CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter that family offices approach sports investments with a long-term horizon, balancing personal passion with strategic value creation. Sports franchises provide multiple revenue streams—including media rights and ticket sales—offering a hedge against inflationary pressures.

Expansion into Related Sports Ventures

Beyond team ownership, several major league owners are broadening their sports portfolios by investing in complementary businesses. David Blitzer of Blackstone, notable for holding equity across all five major men’s U.S. sports leagues, exemplifies this strategy. His family office, Bolt Ventures, has recently backed ventures such as Fantasy Life, a sports betting media company; Ballers, a social club chain focused on racket sports; and Padel Haus, a club operator.