August 20, 2024

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The NFL season begins in 16 days. Private equity firms may be allowed to invest in teams by then.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and Colin Salao [[link removed]]

NFL Season May Begin With New Private Equity Policies in Place [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL could approve the framework for private equity investment in franchises [[link removed]] before the regular season starts, as owners and league officials continue to make progress on the long-awaited move.

It’s been expected that the NFL would change its ownership policies [[link removed]] to allow institutional investors to buy minority team stakes by the end of this year. A logical time frame would have been the next owners meetings in Atlanta on Oct. 15–16. But with loose parameters like a 10% stake limit for private equity firms already in place, that process is being sped up. A special meeting has been called, according to multiple reports, in Minneapolis on Aug. 27—nine days before the Ravens and Chiefs kick off the 2024 season in Kansas City.

Should team owners decide to vote on private equity investment—and approve the motion, next week—franchises could start seeing major cash windfalls by the end of the year.

Moving the Chains

No minority franchise stake sales have been publicly announced since Josh Harris led a group that purchased the Commanders for $6.05 billion last summer. As part of that deal, Harris and fellow Washington co-owner David Blitzer were required to sell their stake in the Steelers. That process is either still ongoing, or was worked out behind closed doors. They were in “advanced talks” to sell their minority stake “to an existing investor group led by Art Rooney and Thomas Tull,” according to Bloomberg [[link removed]] back in late February.

Earlier this year, Bills owner Terry Pegula announced he was exploring the potential sale of a non-controlling, minority stake [[link removed]] in the team. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is also said to be weighing a minority stake sale that could value Philadelphia at $7.5 billion, according to Bloomberg [[link removed]].

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has been linked to multiple potential deals. Last fall, he was reportedly exploring bringing on a new limited partner [[link removed]]. And this spring ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium, Ross was said to have entertained a $10 billion offer [[link removed]] for his sporting assets.

Raiders owner Mark Davis is still trying to bring Tom Brady on as a minority owner, but private equity may not be part of that deal. If and when the NFL green-lights its new policies, though, most of the above deals—and more—could be a lot easier to complete.

USL Super League Debuts With Sellouts. Can It Challenge the NWSL? [[link removed]]

USL Super League

Whether the USL Super League ultimately will be able to coexist successfully with the NWSL remains to be seen. But the newly formed women’s pro soccer league made a strong first impression with fans, and in the marketplace.

Nearly six months after receiving Division I sanctioning [[link removed]] from the U.S. Soccer Federation—the same designation the NWSL has—the eight-team USL Super League began play this past weekend with three well-attended games, each marked by strong fan energy.

The Carolina Ascent (above) drew a sold-out crowd of 10,553 on Saturday for their 1–0 victory over DC Power FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte. Spokane Zephyr FC similarly sold out the 5,000-capacity One Spokane Stadium for a 1–1 draw against Fort Lauderdale United FC. And the Tampa Bay Sun FC closed out the inaugural weekend by posting its own sold-out crowd [[link removed]] of more than 5,200 on Sunday at Riverfront Stadium for a 1–1 draw against the Dallas Trinity.

“[It was a] really, really great crowd. It was phenomenal to see the city show up and show out,” said Ascent head coach Philip Poole. “We’ve talked from Day One about having a connection to our community, and how our city repaid us tonight, it was phenomenal.”

Market Realities

As the USL Super League continued its preparations to start play, some industry chatter focused on the need to coalesce around a single women’s pro soccer league, not unlike how two competing women’s hockey leagues ultimately merged to form the Professional Women’s Hockey League [[link removed]].

Despite that chatter and the NWSL’s own meteoric growth [[link removed]], the USL Super League has moved forward with its own plan, even striking a recent media-rights deal [[link removed]] with Peacock.

“ I commend the NWSL [[link removed]]. They’ve come a long way. Obviously, they’re doing great. Now, that’s not the only option,” USL Super League president Amanda Vandervort told The Women’s Game podcast. “Our goal is to build a long-term, sustainable professional women’s soccer league where players excel at the highest level, and it supports the development of our national team.”

SPONSORED BY AT&T BUSINESS

Explore the Future of Fan Experiences

The 2024 AT&T Innovation Exchange [[link removed]] in Las Vegas offered a visionary look at the future of fan experiences in sports and entertainment.

Key figures, including L.A. Clippers Chairman Steve Ballmer and AT&T CEO John Stankey, unveiled how cutting-edge technologies—like AI-driven fan engagement and immersive VR—will transform arenas like the Intuit Dome. Panels featuring leaders from the NBA, Disney Parks, and Cosm emphasized the importance of blending innovation with emotional connection, ensuring fans remain at the heart of every experience.

The event also spotlighted the explosive growth of women’s sports, with the WNBA leading the charge. Discover how AT&T is enabling the next generation of sports fandom.

Read [[link removed]] the full story.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Premier League Kicks Off

FOS illustration

Manchester City looks to extend its incredible run of Premier League dominance, but there may be one opponent it can’t stop: the Premier League’s judicial system. Man City is facing an investigation [[link removed]] into its financial dealings with the potential outcomes ranging from no consequences to relegation. Men in Blazers founder Roger Bennett joins the show to discuss all the biggest EPL stories and what it could mean for the USMNT to bring on head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Watch, listen, and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Spotify [[link removed]], and YouTube [[link removed]].

LOUD AND CLEAR On Your Mark

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

“Sign the contract and lock in that 50 yard race.”

—Tyreek Hill (above) said on X [[link removed]] in response to U.S. track star Noah Lyles. The 100-meter Olympic gold medalist said on the Club Shay Shay podcast that Hill was “chasing clout” after the Dolphins wide receiver told Kay Adams [[link removed]] last week that he would beat Lyles in a race. Lyles also said that Hill “dodges smoke” because he does not actually show up to races, unlike Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, who raced in a 100-meter heat [[link removed]] during the USA Track & Field Golden Games in 2021.

It’s worth noting Hill suggested a 50-yard race, which is about 48 meters, close to a 40-yard dash, but significantly shorter than the 100- and 200-meter races that Lyles competed in at the Paris Olympics.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS AWARDS

Now’s Your Chance–Deadline Extended

The deadline has been extended to recognize the Best College Athletic Departments [[link removed]].

College athletic departments support athletes across a multitude of sports and through a variety of verticals. From education services to training facilities, athletic departments uniquely impact college athletes.

Powered by Sports Innovation Lab, the Best College Athletic Departments Award uses data-driven methodology to identify which programs are leading in the space.

Don’t miss your opportunity to recognize your school. Nominate your athletic department [[link removed]] by Sept. 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Conversation Starters Baylor opened the Fudge Football Development Center, a 105,000-square-foot facility. Take a look [[link removed]]. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck signed a name, image, and likeness deal [[link removed]] with private jet company AirStar Charter, which gives him access to the company’s fleet of citation jets. Jack Harlow has joined the ownership group [[link removed]] of his hometown NWSL team, Racing Louisville FC. Editors’ Picks Celtics Are Far From First Pro Sports Sale With Bezos ‘Buzz’ [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]It likely won't be the last time Bezos is linked to a team. New Study Shows ‘Far-Reaching’ Financial Pain of Sports Gambling [[link removed]]by Margaret Fleming [[link removed]]For every dollar of sports betting, investments drop by $2, researchers say. Jake Paul Claims He’ll Make $40 Million Off Tyson Netflix Fight [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Paul and Tyson are set to fight in Texas in November. Question of the Day

Do you think the Celtics will fetch the reported $6 billion price they (and the NBA) are looking for?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]]

Monday’s result: Only 4% of respondents said they are planning to subscribe to Venu Sports at its announced $42.99 per month price.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Colin Salao [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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