Chad Mihalick

Sportsology Capital Partners Acquires Stake In Texas Rangers This week, sports-focused investment firm Sportsology Capital Partners (SCP) acquired a minority stake in the Texas Rangers. SCP was launched in 2023 alongside the strategic advisory firm Sportsology Group. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed, but the team is valued between $2.45 billion and $2.75 billion. This deal also comes after they acquired a minority stake in the French SailGP team last year with Ares Management. With its first fund, Sportsology will primarily focus on minority stakes in the top five US sports leagues (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLS, MLB), and adjacent sports media and entertainment platforms. The firm also plans to make fewer than 10 deals and will likely not target sports technology companies. Why This Matters?  MLB might not be the first league private equity looks to invest in, but that might be changing. Let’s dive into why. First, the big five US sports leagues check all the boxes for private equity firms looking for allocation into sports: Predictable, diversified cash flow Long-term media rights deals Premium real estate tied to stadiums Revenue sharing across the league Scarce and protected by governance These are long-term assets that tend to hold value. That’s exactly the kind of profile many funds want right now. The problem is price. Look at the NFL and NBA. The Dallas Cowboys are valued at around $13 billion. The Golden State Warriors are pushing $10 billion. The average NFL team is worth around $7 billion. The average NBA team is worth around $5.5 billion. Getting exposure at those prices isn’t easy, even for large funds. But the MLB sits in a different range. The Yankees top the league at roughly $8 billion, but the average team value is closer to $2.6 billion. Still expensive, but much more attainable for firms trying to build a portfolio of minority positions across major leagues. Culturally, baseball might not have the same momentum or notoriety as the NFL or NBA. Financially, though, it’s still one of the most stable leagues in the world. League revenue has hit record highs in recent years. Sponsorship dollars continue to grow. And global stars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto continue to expand the game internationally. Local media challenges are real, but they’re not stopping capital from moving in. Plus, the league has been pushing towards more innovative strategies over the past couple of years. For private equity firms looking for long-duration exposure to premium sports assets, minority stakes in baseball teams are starting to look like a pretty solid place to park capital. And we expect to see more activity throughout this year.

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Well this is a pretty ingenious move by Switchback Event. Trade Shows will often throw a lot of spaghetti at the wall hoping that something will stick. By partnering with a forward thinking and retail focused organization that is based in the Rockies (aka the heart of the industry) Switchback is showing a commitment to finding new ways to endear themselves to the rep and shop community... something that has been a challenge for outdoor trade shows since before Covid. Well played, Diversified USA & Outdoor Market Alliance.

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SFC Doubles Down on Destination-Driven Youth Sports Infrastructure The The Sports Facilities Companies just expanded its footprint again, acquiring RCI Sports Management and adding three facilities across Texas and Kansas. On the surface, this is portfolio growth. Underneath, it is a signal about where youth and amateur sports are headed. SFC already operates more than 100 managed venues with roughly 5,000 team members, driving close to $1 billion in annual economic impact. Adding assets like The Refinery Fieldhouse in Kansas, Amarillo Netplex in Texas, and Travis Fields at Midtown Park in Bryan is about strengthening regional density in markets that understand sports tourism and community programming. These are not just gyms and diamonds. They are multi-use economic engines. • 200,000 square feet in Garden City with basketball, volleyball, turf and conference space • A 62,000-square-foot indoor hub in Amarillo serving volleyball, pickleball, basketball and futsal • Synthetic turf baseball and softball complexes hosting 35+ events per year in Bryan The model is clear. Own or manage facilities that can host tournaments, drive hotel nights, create recurring programming, and serve as community anchors. This is the professionalization of youth sports infrastructure. As participation grows and private equity continues flowing into the sector, scale operators with operational playbooks, booking power, sponsorship relationships and national sales reach will increasingly consolidate independent facilities. The real question is not whether consolidation continues. It is who controls the operating layer of the $40B+ youth sports economy as more capital enters the space. Facility management is becoming a national platform business. And SFC is positioning accordingly. #YouthSports #SportsBusiness #SportsFacilities #SportsTourism #PrivateEquity #CommunityImpact

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Pickleball apparel is a rapidly growing market, valued at $570M in 2025 and projected to reach $1.2B by 2033, growing at 9% annually. Global participation is estimated at 80–120 million players, transitioning the sport from a recreational trend to a structured lifestyle category. Demographics: 60% of new participants are women, driving higher spending on coordinated outfits. Male avid players (62%) focus on performance-first apparel that works on court and off. Product Innovation: Technical fabrics including moisture-wicking blends, 4-way stretch, antimicrobial treatments, and UPF 50+ protection are now standard expectations. Brand Dynamics: Challenger brands are capturing share through court-specific designs, bold colors, and sustainable materials, while leading brands maintain double-digit growth. Implication for Manufacturers: Agility, speed-to-market, and technical innovation are key to capturing growth in this expanding category. GHC Sportswear® | Custom Wholesale Sportswear & Equestrian Gear

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The future of the golf industry isn't just about the product on the rack; its about the Experience around the brand. 🏌‍♂️ ✨ Whether it's a high-touch fitting activation or a premium apparel pop-up, luxury brands thrive when they create an environment that feels exclusive and elevated. High-Touch Engagment: Turning a standard transaction into a memorable brand "Event". Aesthetic Authority: Maintaining the TaylorMade Edge and "Red Standard" (SDR) across every touchpoint. Customer Loyalty: People forget what you said, but they never forget how the brand experience made them feel. #ExperientialMarketing #LuxuryGolf #SunDayRed #BrandExperience #GolfRetail #TaylorMade

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The Houston Dynamo Football Club has made another major addition to their executive team, hiring Graham Wincott as chief marketing officer for the MLS and NWSL clubs. Wincott most recently served as VP of brand marketing for the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Footprint Center, following more than a decade with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. As CMO, Wincott will oversee communications, social media, creative content, digital marketing, advertising, retail and fan engagement for the Dynamo, Dash and Shell Energy Stadium. Read more: https://ow.ly/jHSF50XKYmt

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