2026-01-29
For feedback or questions just reply to this mail
💸
Finance & Investments
Global investment firm KKR is negotiating a $3B purchase of CVC’s sports holding company.
The group owns rights to major properties like Spanish football, French football, and women’s tennis.
This funding helps the firm hold these assets longer and prepare for a future stock market listing.
The company operates the largest for-profit horse riding league in the US, managing over 800 events annually.
Two former executives from WWE will join the board to help the business grow and improve fan engagement.
Major player associations from the NFL and MLB led the investment to help athletes monetize their personal brands.
The company sells verified game-used items and unique artistic products like vinyl albums featuring sports stars.
New capital will improve technology that proves items are genuine to combat rising fraud in the market.
Israeli sports-tech firm WSC Sports bought the British platform to help teams manage digital ads.
The deal lets leagues link real-time game highlights with targeted ads without manual work.
WSC Sports serves over 650 global organizations, now adding clients like Liverpool FC and the 49ers.
The athletics department generated $195.9M in total revenue, marking its best financial year since 2021.
Football and men’s basketball were the only profitable sports, with football profits nearly doubling to $29.7M.
A $7.9M jump in ticket sales and increased media rights fees significantly boosted the university's income.
📺
Media, Broadcasting & Sponsorships
The streaming service saw its second-best signup day ever by offering fights previously costing $80 for free.
The main event drew nearly 5M views, becoming the platform's most-watched exclusive live broadcast.
Wall Street analysts praised the strategy for successfully attracting young male viewers to the media company.
US media investor The Chernin Group acquired a minority stake in the British firm led by Gary Lineker.
The partnership plans to turn popular podcasts into TV shows and live events for American audiences.
This marks the first outside funding for Goalhanger as it seeks to grow beyond the UK.
🏆
Teams & Leagues
The league hired banking giant Citigroup to sell shares in two teams to new investors later this year.
Teams target valuations of $300M based on star players and recent TV broadcast agreements.
This process marks the first time the tour allows outsiders to buy into its specific franchises.
The US soccer club earned $200K instead of $1M after losing to Brazilian team Corinthians in the semifinals.
This lost income equals 27% of the team's spending limit for player salaries.
A labor deal ensures the team splits all tournament prize money evenly with its roster of players.
🎁
Miscellaneous
He must serve a one-year suspension before rejoining the major US circuit in August 2026.
The 2018 Masters champion will compete on the European tour to maintain his status during the ban.
This move costs him access to profit-sharing equity until 2030, though he avoids a $5M fine.
If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!
Was this email forwarded to you? Then sign up here to receive the Daily Playbook in your inbox every weekday.