In-Depth
In the game
A rundown of the top private equity and venture capital players in sports
Falconhead Capital
Traces it origins to 1999, when David Moross and IMG launched a fund to invest in sports. That soon morphed into the current iteration, which focuses more on leisure and media.
Forstmann Little
One of the most famous names in private equity, Forstmann Little of course owns IMG. When founder Ted Forstmann died last year, most observers assumed the fund would move to sell, but sources say the fund is looking to hold on to IMG for at least another year.
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Platinum Equity CEO Tom Gores bought the Detroit Pistons last year.
Photo by: AP IMAGES
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Guggenheim Partners
Would not be on the list except for the Los Angeles Dodgers purchase. How it can generate the type of return investors demand when it outbid the nearest competitor by 60 percent for the Dodgers remains to be seen.
Platinum Equity
Bought the Detroit Pistons through its top executive, Tom Gores. Platinum discussed buying the Arena Football League several years ago, but the talks collapsed.
Providence Equity
Owns part of the YES Network and MLS’s Soccer United Marketing. A big investor in media, Providence’s name always comes up when a team is thinking about launching a media entity.
Spire Capital
Owns the Professional Bull Riders as well as motorsports marketing firm Just Marketing International.
