The global sports industry witnessed a significant increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2024, with major deals reshaping the landscape of professional leagues and franchises. As reported in SportsPro, private equity firms, investment groups, and sports organisations have accelerated their acquisition strategies, driven by the rising commercial value of live sports, digital media rights, and franchise ownership.
A key trend throughout the year has been private equity’s deepening involvement in sports leagues. Firms such as CVC Capital Partners, Silver Lake, and Arctos Sports Partners have taken substantial stakes in global sports properties, seeking long-term revenue growth. CVC, already a major player in La Liga, the WTA, and rugby, recently made headlines with its $1 billion bid for the Miami and Madrid Open tennis tournaments. Meanwhile, Silver Lake increased its investment in Endeavor, the parent company of TKO Group (UFC and WWE), reflecting a continued interest in combat sports and media-driven entertainment.
Ownership changes in major franchises have also been a focal point. In North America, NFL and NBA teams have commanded record valuations, with investment groups actively seeking minority stakes in teams rather than full buyouts. SportsPro noted that rising media rights revenue, global fan engagement, and technology-driven experiences have made franchises more attractive to institutional investors. This trend has also extended to European football, where American investors have continued to buy stakes in top-flight clubs across the Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga.
The streaming and sports media sector has also seen a wave of consolidation. The most notable development has been the merger of FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV, creating one of the largest virtual pay-TV services focused on live sports. This deal, along with ongoing discussions around potential acquisitions involving DAZN and other digital-first sports networks, reflects the growing demand for premium sports content and the competition for exclusive broadcasting rights.
While M&A activity in sports remains strong, challenges persist. Regulatory scrutiny on private equity’s influence in leagues, rising franchise valuations, and evolving media rights structures have all played a role in shaping investment strategies. However, as SportsPro reports, industry leaders expect continued consolidation in 2025, with franchises, leagues, and streaming platforms all vying for long-term profitability in an evolving digital sports ecosystem.
With private capital reshaping ownership models, the coming year could see further multi-billion-dollar transactions, particularly in U.S. sports, European football, and emerging markets like Saudi Arabia’s expanding sports sector. As investors look for high-growth opportunities, the global sports industry remains a prime target for strategic acquisitions and financial partnerships.