BC Partners Credit, the credit division of the prominent private investment firm BC Partners, has acquired a stake in sports talent agency GSE Worldwide. The investment, which comes in the form of new preferred equity and debt, aims to support the agency’s continued growth and expansion.
Although the valuation of GSE Worldwide has not been disclosed, the move marks an important milestone for the agency, which represents over 275 high-profile athletes across golf, tennis, and the National Football League (NFL). Among its notable clients are two-time US Open golf champion Bryson DeChambeau, Dallas Cowboys defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence, and tennis stars Sloane Stephens and Tommy Paul.
Ted Goldthorpe, head of BC Partners Credit, will join GSE Worldwide’s board of directors as part of the deal. BC Partners Credit, which manages assets valued at approximately $8 billion, joins existing investor Gatemore Capital Management in backing the agency. London-based Gatemore Capital acquired GSE Worldwide in 2018 and has played a key role in its expansion.
The sports agency sector has attracted increasing interest from investors in recent years. Earlier in 2023, private equity giant Silver Lake took Endeavor private in a deal that valued the agency at $13 billion. This trend highlights the growing appeal of sports agencies as lucrative investment opportunities.
Michael Principe, chief executive of GSE Worldwide, expressed his gratitude to Gatemore for its continued support and enthusiasm for the new partnership with BC Partners Credit. He stated, “We are thrilled to have the additional support of BC Partners Credit, which enables us to grow our industry-leading position, further enhance our offerings to clients, and push into new verticals of talent and brand management, as well as the ownership and operation of events.”
GSE Worldwide plans to use the investment to fuel its expansion, enhance its talent management services, and strengthen its capabilities in brand services, property ownership, and event representation. With the backing of BC Partners Credit and Gatemore Capital, the agency is well-positioned to continue its growth and maintain its competitive edge in the sports management industry.