Goldman: Private Equity deals in sport surge 280 per cent since 2018

In the past seven years, private equity deals in sport have skyrocketed, with a remarkable 284 percent increase according to a new report from Goldman Sachs. The number of such deals grew from just 50 in 2018 to a staggering 192 in 2025. This surge is largely attributed to the influx of institutional capital following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has propelled sports clubs to become key assets in the investment world.

Private equity funds are now actively participating in various aspects of the sports ecosystem, ranging from consortium involvement in controlling ownership bids to passive partnerships in buying minority stakes. In some instances, they have even ventured to bid for full control of teams. This increased participation has prompted sports leagues to establish governance frameworks that accommodate private equity funds' involvement in team capitalisation tables.

The heightened standards for financial management, governance, and transparency set by private equity firms have prompted teams to elevate their operations, transforming them into more formalized businesses with the potential for significant global revenue generation. Examples of this trend include Arctos Partners committing over $12 billion to NFL team stake purchases, Chelsea being majority-owned by Clearlake Capital, and Silver Lake Partners holding shares in Manchester City.

The surge in private equity investment has also led to various sports clubs being acquired or having significant ownership stakes held by prominent private equity firms, such as Clearlake Capital, Silver Lake Partners, Dynasty Equity, and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. Despite this growing activity, institutional ownership remains a small portion of the total addressable market in sports.