{
  "id": 9238003,
  "title": "MLB Raises Private Equity Ownership Limit to 20%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/mlb-raises-private-equity-ownership-limit-to-20-9238003",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T01:20:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/article/mlb-raises-private-equity-ownership-limit-to-up-to-20-percent/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MLB owners recently voted to raise the private equity ownership limit for teams from 15% to 20%, as per a source familiar with the matter. The adjustment was made to align with the NBA's private equity policy, which permits a maximum of 20% ownership by a single firm, unless the controlling owner holds less than 20%. In such cases, the controlling owner's percentage becomes the limit. Under MLB's existing rule, the controlling owner must own at least 15%.\n\nThe NBA, NHL, and MLS currently permit private equity firms to own up to 20% in a franchise. However, MLB does not impose a cap on the number of teams a firm can invest in, provided each stake remains at 20% or below. The NBA also recently updated its rules to permit a firm and its executives to invest concurrently, allowing Josh Kushner's Thrive Eternal to invest alongside himself in the Lakers.\n\nThe NFL, which started allowing private equity investments a year ago, caps the ownership at 10%, only approving four firms to invest in teams. Seven NFL teams have now incorporated private equity investors, most recently the Seahawks and Falcons. Apollo Sports Capital, which has not been approved yet, has shown interest in investing in the NFL.\n\nAround 10 MLB teams have incorporated private equity investments, while approximately 20 possess some form of private equity connection. Teams like the Padres were recently purchased by Clearlake Capital cofounder, and other teams such as the Giants and A’s have direct PE investments, including from Mark Cuban's Harbinger Sports Partners. The latest example is Apollo Sports Capital's $2.6 billion investment in the Yankees, aimed at growth capital, refinancing existing debt, and providing various financial levers for club expansion. Apollo's Chief Strategy Officer, Sam Porter, explained that the funds can be utilized flexibly for growth and business development.",
  "summary": "The change happened earlier this summer and wasn’t announced.",
  "key_points": [
    "MLB raises private equity ownership limit to 20% for teams.",
    "NBA, NHL, and MLS already permit up to 20% private equity ownership.",
    "NFL caps private equity ownership at 10%, with four firms approved."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "MLB Raises Private Equity Ownership Limit to 20%",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/mlb-raises-private-equity-ownership-limit-to-20",
        "published": "2026-09-23T01:20:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}